Act 24 of 2003 amended Pennsylvania’s driving-under-the-influence laws. A major provision decreased the driving under the influence blood alcohol content from .10 percent to .08 percent.

In addition to lowering the DUI limit, the new state law created a tier system for blood alcohol levels exceeding the minimum DUI percentage.

• .08 percent to .099 percent is considered general impairment

• .10 percent to .159 percent is considered a high rate of alcohol

• .16 percent and above falls under the highest rate

SOURCE: www.pa-drunkdrivinglawayer.com

Each level of DUI carries a set of penalties for drivers. Under general impairment .08 percent to .099 percent, first and second offenses are ungraded misdemeanors, while a third or more offenses are second-degree misdemeanors.

For a <B>first offense</B> of general impairment, there is no license suspension for adult drivers. The driver faces these penalties:• Up to six months of probation• A $300 fine, plus court costs• Attending alcohol safety school• Treatment when orderedPenalties for a <B>second offense</B> are:• A one-year driver’s license suspension• A five-day to six-month prison term• A $300 to $2,500 fine• Alcohol highway safety school• Treatment when ordered• A one-year ignition interlock

Penalties for <B>minors</B> caught drinking alcohol are:• Educational classes• Community service• Fines for first-time offenders can be up to $300 plus court costs. Second-offense fines could go to $500 plus court costs• A driver’s license suspension for underage drinking is 90 days for first offense, one year for second offense, and two years for third or subsequent offenses.

Penalties for adults <B>supplying minors</B> alcohol are:• The classification for supplying liquor, malt or brewed beverages is a misdemeanor of the third degree• A first offense is a $1,000 fine, court costs and the possibility of up to 1 year in jail• Subsequent offenses are fines of $2,500 for each underage drinker, court costs and possible jail time of up to 1 year.• There are additional fines for furnishing the site for minors to drink alcoholic beverages.