Felony DUI Attorney in Harrisburg

Facing a Felony DUI Charge in Harrisburg? Here’s How We Help

At The Dorward Law Firm, we understand the uncertainty and stress that come with a felony DUI charge in Harrisburg. With these serious accusations, your choice of representation matters. We guide you through every step, drawing on years of focused DUI defense experience and deep knowledge of Pennsylvania DUI law to serve your needs.

When facing felony-level DUI charges in Harrisburg, you need direct answers fast. Penalties can affect everything from your driver’s license to your reputation and employment. As a felony DUI defense attorney in Harrisburg, our team answers your questions right away and keeps you informed as we move forward. We help you anticipate each next step so you can make smart decisions about your future.

Protect your rights and your future from a devastating felony conviction. Call The Dorward Law Firm today at (717) 429-0411 or reach out online. We provide free consultations and 24/7 availability.

Understanding the Felony DUI Threshold in PA

In Pennsylvania, a DUI charge is graded by the severity of impairment (Blood Alcohol Content or BAC) and, most critically, the number of prior DUI offenses within a 10-year lookback period. A misdemeanor DUI escalates to a felony DUI based on prior convictions or the involvement of specific aggravating factors.

How a DUI Becomes a Felony

Under Pennsylvania law, a DUI becomes a felony in two primary scenarios:

• Three or More Prior Offenses (75 Pa. C.S. § 3803(b)(4.1)): Any individual charged with a new DUI offense who has three or more prior offenses (including convictions, ARD acceptances, or juvenile dispositions) in the past 10 years will be charged with a Felony of the Third Degree (F3), or in some instances, a Felony of the Second Degree (F2).
• Accidents Involving Serious Injury or Death: While Homicide by Vehicle While DUI and Aggravated Assault by Vehicle While DUI are separate, related offenses, they often accompany or establish the basis for a felony grading. Any DUI conviction where the driver has two or more prior offenses and caused an accident resulting in serious bodily injury can face an F2 felony.
• Refusal to Submit to Testing: Under recent legislative changes, repeated refusal of chemical testing (blood or breath) when the driver has multiple prior offenses can also escalate the charge to a Felony of the Second Degree.

When you contact a Harrisburg felony DUI lawyer, our firm immediately analyzes your prior record and the specific circumstances of your current charge to determine the exact felony grade.

Penalties and Life-Altering Consequences of a Felony DUI Conviction

A conviction for felony DUI is catastrophic. The penalties include mandatory state prison time and fines reaching into the tens of thousands of dollars.

• Felony of the Third Degree (Third or Subsequent Offense):
  • Mandatory minimum of one year of state prison (up to 7 years).
  • Fines up to $15,000.
  • 18-month license suspension, followed by one year of ignition interlock.
• Felony of the Second Degree (Aggravated Offenses with Multiple Priors):
  • Mandatory minimum of five to ten years in state prison.
  • Fines up to $25,000.
  • Mandatory DNA sampling.

Lifelong Collateral Consequences

Beyond the direct penalties, a felony DUI carries a permanent stigma that severely limits your life:

• Permanent Criminal Record: A felony record cannot be expunged and will show up on nearly all background checks.
• Loss of Gun Rights: A felony conviction results in a lifetime ban on owning or possessing a firearm.
• Employment and Housing Barriers: Many professional licenses (CDL, nursing, real estate, finance) are lost, and obtaining new employment or housing becomes incredibly difficult.
• State Prison Confinement: Sentences for felony DUI are served in the state prison system, which does not offer work release programs, meaning your incarceration is hard time served away from family and employment.

Common Challenges & Our Solutions in Felony DUI Defense Cases

Felony DUI defense in Harrisburg brings unique hurdles not found in standard cases. Complex evidence—including breath, blood, or urine test results—often forms the cornerstone of the prosecution’s case. Our firm pays close attention to how officers in Harrisburg conducted each step of your arrest, identifying weaknesses where testing or procedures did not follow the rules.

• Technical issues with breath or blood testing, especially under Harrisburg enforcement practices
• Past DUI convictions or aggravating facts, such as injuries or a child in the car, increasing the offense to a felony
• Strict sentencing rules specific to Pennsylvania, including mandatory minimums and long license suspensions

Our ongoing legal education and real-world casework allow us to assess your matter using reliable scientific and legal standards. We look for every detail that might help reduce penalties or present your case in the best light. Felony DUI convictions create real risks—to your freedom, job, and family—so we use proven legal strategies to protect what matters most. We review law enforcement procedures throughout Dauphin County for errors and inform you about possible paths so you can move forward with confidence.

Decades of DUI Defense Experience in Central Pennsylvania

With more than a decade defending clients in DUI cases, The Dorward Law Firm draws on hands-on knowledge of how Pennsylvania courts handle felony drunk driving cases. Led by Shawn Dorward and backed by certifications like the American Chemical Society, we offer strategies rooted in real courtroom experience. 

Our approach fits your life and your goals, always communicating in straightforward language so you know exactly where you stand. Our connections with local legal professionals, witnesses, and Harrisburg courts let us anticipate important details in every felony DUI case.

We keep up with Pennsylvania DUI law and how local prosecutors and judges view these cases, making routine updates to our approaches based on the most recent changes. That means our strategies reflect the realities of courtroom practice throughout the region. 

Our steady, step-by-step approach lets you focus on what matters most: protecting your future as we work through your case together.

• Thorough case analysis: We examine police reports, arrest details, and how local officers conducted chemical testing during your arrest.
• Clear communication: We explain your legal status and options at every step in terms you can understand, not legal jargon.
• Focused defense strategies: Our legal plans reflect Harrisburg’s court approach, current Pennsylvania DUI statutes, and the unique facts of your record.
• Continued support: As your felony DUI defense lawyer in Harrisburg, we explain what’s coming up, what your rights are, and ways you can make informed decisions throughout the entire process.

Take the Next Step Toward Protecting Your Future

Serious charges need serious support. At The Dorward Law Firm, you connect with a felony DUI lawyer in Harrisburg who combines advanced DUI knowledge, hands-on experience with local courts, and personal guidance in every case. Reach out for a free consultation—we’ll answer your questions, review your options, and explain how we can help you protect your rights. 

Call (717) 429-0411 or reach out online to talk with our team and take your next step forward with confidence.