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DUI Lawyer in Chambersburg, PA — Franklin County DUI Defense

A DUI arrest doesn't decide your case. What happens in the next few days does. I'm Kevin Taccino, a criminal defense attorney with 20 years of experience in Franklin County courts — and I'll tell you what you're actually facing before you make any decisions.

Pennsylvania DUI Charges: What the Law Actually Says

Pennsylvania uses a three-tier system for DUI charges. The tier you fall into determines the penalties you face — and the options available to you.

 

  • General Impairment (.08–.099% BAC): The lowest tier. First-time offenders may qualify for the ARD program, which can result in no conviction on your record.
  • High BAC (.10–.159% BAC): Mid-tier penalties include mandatory minimum jail time on a second offense, higher fines, and longer license suspension periods.
  • Highest BAC (.16% and above): The most serious tier. Penalties on a first offense include mandatory jail time, substantial fines, and an 18-month license suspension.

 

Refusal to submit to chemical testing carries its own consequences under Pennsylvania's implied consent law — including automatic license suspension — regardless of whether you are ultimately convicted of DUI.

 

The tier you fall into matters. So does the evidence the Commonwealth used to put you there.

Challenging the Traffic Stop

Every DUI defense starts at the beginning: why did the officer pull you over? If the stop lacked reasonable suspicion, the evidence collected afterward — including your BAC result — may be suppressible. I review dashcam footage, police reports, and stop circumstances on every case before advising a client on how to proceed.

Breathalyzer and BAC Test Challenges

Breathalyzer results are not automatically reliable. Calibration records, maintenance logs, officer certification, and testing procedure all affect the validity of a BAC reading. I subpoena those records and review them. A result that looks damaging on paper sometimes doesn't survive scrutiny.

Field Sobriety Test Administration

Field sobriety tests must be administered according to standardized protocols. Environmental conditions — uneven pavement, poor lighting, footwear — and officer technique both affect the outcome. An improperly administered test can be challenged, and that challenge can change the trajectory of a case.

ARD and License Options for First-Time DUI Charges in Pennsylvania

The Accelerated Rehabilitative Disposition program is one of the most important options available to first-time DUI offenders in Pennsylvania — and many people don't know it exists until they talk to an attorney.

 

ARD is a pre-trial diversion program administered through the Franklin County District Attorney's office. If you are accepted, you complete a period of supervision, community service, and any required treatment. Upon successful completion, the charges are dismissed and you can petition to have your record expunged. There is no conviction.

 

Not everyone qualifies. ARD eligibility depends on factors including your BAC tier, whether you have prior offenses, and whether anyone was injured. I assess ARD eligibility in the first consultation and handle the application process with the DA's office if you are a candidate.

 

If your license is at risk regardless of the criminal outcome, I also advise on occupational limited license options that may allow you to drive to work, school, or medical appointments during a suspension period.

DUI Defense Questions — Answered Directly

  • What should I do immediately after a DUI arrest in Franklin County?

    Do not discuss the details of your stop or arrest with anyone other than an attorney. Contact a DUI lawyer as soon as possible — ideally before your preliminary hearing. The earlier I get involved, the more options we have. Call 717-262-2319 or submit a contact form and I will respond promptly.

  • What is the ARD program and do I qualify for it?

    ARD is a pre-trial diversion program for first-time offenders that, upon completion, results in dismissal and expungement of the DUI charge. Eligibility depends on your BAC level, your record, and the circumstances of your arrest. I evaluate ARD eligibility in the initial consultation and can tell you quickly whether it's a realistic path.

  • Can I fight a DUI charge if I failed the breathalyzer?

    Yes. A breathalyzer result is evidence — not a verdict. I review calibration records, testing procedures, and officer certification on every case. If the test was improperly administered or the equipment wasn't properly maintained, the result can be challenged. A failed test does not mean the case is unwinnable.

  • Will I lose my driver's license after a DUI in Pennsylvania?

    Not automatically, and not always. License consequences depend on your BAC tier, whether you refused chemical testing, and whether this is a first or subsequent offense. There are also occupational limited license options that may allow you to continue driving for work or essential needs during a suspension. I walk through the license implications in every consultation.

  • How does Kevin Taccino's local experience matter in a Franklin County DUI case?

    I've practiced in Franklin County courts for 20 years. I know the local DUI enforcement patterns along I-81, US-30, and PA-11, I know how the DA's office handles ARD applications, and I know the judges who will hear your case. That familiarity is not something a firm with a satellite office in Chambersburg can replicate.

Talk to a Franklin County DUI Attorney Before You Decide Anything

A DUI charge in Pennsylvania carries real consequences — but those consequences are not fixed the moment you are arrested. There are defense angles to evaluate, program eligibility to assess, and license options to explore. The time to do that work is before your preliminary hearing, not after.

 

My consultation fee is credited toward your retainer if you hire me. What you tell me is protected by attorney-client privilege from the first conversation. Call 717-262-2319 or use the contact form to schedule.