DUI Attorneys in Western Pennsylvania

At Barbera Law, we understand how stressful it can be when you are arrested and accused of drunk driving. Depending upon the nature of the crime, you could suffer severe penalties, including jail time, which could affect your life and future. Whether you are charged with a serious criminal or traffic offense, rely on our aggressive and knowledgeable DUI attorneys in Western Pennsylvania to guide you through the complex legal process in this difficult situation.

Having a trusted legal team on your side can make a big difference to your case. Our competent criminal defense lawyer, Patrick Svonavec, will help fight for your rights and ensure that your case reaches a fair and just resolution. He has over 35 years of experience defending individuals, organizations, and entities in the courts of Somerset, Cambria, Bedford, Fulton, and Westmoreland Counties. Patrick has also provided successful representation in a wide array of felony and misdemeanor criminal matters, including:

Depending on your blood alcohol content (BAC), you can be charged with driving under the influence (DUI), and the higher the BAC level, the more severe the penalties become. Pennsylvania has three levels of DUI for adults who are not operating a commercial vehicle:

Each of the above tiers has different criminal offense grading ranging from ungraded misdemeanors to felonies of the third degree. These tiers also have different minimum and maximum penalties, including minimum fines and jail sentences. To navigate the complex Pennsylvania-tiered approach to DUI offenses, our experienced criminal law attorneys, such as Patrick, will assist you with your defense. He will explain where your case falls in the tier system and the penalties you would be facing if convicted.

You may qualify for accelerated rehabilitative disposition (ARD) and be able to avoid a criminal conviction if you are a first-time offender.

ARD is a program for first-time criminal violators of nonviolent crimes to earn a dismissal of the criminal charges pending against them. This program can allow you to walk away from this experience with no criminal record. Patrick has assisted many of his clients through the ARD process. Contact us today to speak with Patrick so you can discuss your case and learn if you qualify for ARD. He will thoroughly explain and guide you through this program if you are eligible.

In cases you are the holder of a commercial driver's license and have been charged with a DUI, even if you were not operating a commercial motor vehicle at the time, your CDL driving privilege is subject to suspension. However, if your DUI is not related to the operation of a CDL vehicle, you will still need an experienced DUI lawyer to help you preserve your CDL privilege and ability to continue to earn a living operating a commercial motor vehicle.

In cases you are the holder of a commercial driver's license and have been charged with a DUI, even if you were not operating a commercial motor vehicle at the time, your CDL driving privilege is subject to suspension. However, if your DUI is not related to the operation of a CDL vehicle, you will still need an experienced DUI lawyer to help you preserve your CDL privilege and ability to continue to earn a living operating a commercial motor vehicle.

Patrick has represented hundreds of individuals in traffic-related offenses ranging from simple summary-level speeding offenses to serious felony-level crimes, such as homicide by vehicle DUI-related. For years, he has successfully obtained acquittals for many of his clients. He is takes the time to explain your options so you understand the nature of the crime and punishments you may be subjected to. He will be with you through each step of your criminal or traffic case.