Legal Question in DUI Law in Pennsylvania

Time allowed to charge dui

I was stopped and given a pbft. No reading was told to me. I was taken to the hospital and given a blood test. I was then dropped at my home. I wasn't told why I was stopped until after the blood test. I was told speeding. I was told I would be receiving some sort of notification within 5-7 days. It has now been over three weeks and I have yet to receive any sort of notification. I have asked several differnt people incl law enforcement and attorneys how long the state has to charge. I have been told anywhere from a week to a month. I am afraid to call the actual police jurisdiction that stopped me , figuring they may have screwed up and don't want to help them in any way. An attorney told me to call him this week if I don't hear. I have a job possibly at stake and even though it is my first potential offense, not knowing is killing me. I have tried to find any statute pertaining to this,, but have been unsuccesful thus far. What is the law?? How long do they have??? Should I call the police who stopped me? Should I retain a lawyer, or is no news good news.


Asked on 4/30/04, 9:48 pm

1 Answer from Attorneys
Charles A. Pascal, Jr. Law Office of Charles A. Pascal, Jr.

Re: Time allowed to charge dui

Generally, police have two years to charge a crime. While I'm not sure what the exact time frame is to charge a DUI, it is not a week or a month...it's much longer.

My advice is leave it alone. No news is good news. Stop worrying about it. If you're charged, deal with it then.

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Answered on 4/30/04, 10:09 pm


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