Walk It Through: Pulled Over In Pennsylvania
The documents, the 15 days, a phone held in one hand, and the test.
Lights behind you on the turnpike. The officer asks for the license, registration and insurance.
Two things a person in this spot might do. Picking one shows what the law says about it.
One stop and one test. Whether a stop was lawful, the field sobriety tests, the full DUI sentencing tiers, and the minor and commercial driver limits are not covered here.
A practice walkthrough, not a prediction of how any real one will go. Legal information, not legal advice.
Words this turns on
Terms with a legal meaning that is narrower than the everyday one. Each links to the definition and the authority behind it.
- Financial responsibilityThe insurance a vehicle is required to carry. A registered owner is deemed to have consented to produce proof of it on a police officer's request.
- Reasonable suspicionOne of the grounds on which an officer may stop a vehicle to check registration, insurance or the license: reasonable suspicion that a Vehicle Code violation is occurring or has occurred. The other is a systematic program of checking vehicles or drivers.
- Summary offenseThe lowest grade of offense, punishable by not more than 90 days, with a fine of up to $300 unless a higher fine is set.
- General impairmentThe lowest DUI tier: an alcohol concentration of at least 0.08% but less than 0.10% within two hours after driving, or drinking enough to be incapable of driving safely.
- Implied consentThe rule that a driver is deemed to have consented to breath or blood testing where an officer has reasonable grounds to believe the driver was driving under the influence. Refusing suspends the license for 12 months, or 18 with a prior.
- Interactive mobile deviceA device a driver may not use while driving, except to reach law enforcement or emergency services. Holding it with a hand, dialing with more than one button, or reaching for it out of the belted driving position is using it.