A recent Philly.com article detailed the allegations that a Philadelphia narcotics officer is currently facing. On September 15, the officer was reportedly coming from the Eagles-Chargers game at Lincoln Financial Field when he drove into oncoming traffic on State Road near Park Avenue in Upper Darby at approximately 8:30 p.m. The officer’s vehicle collided head-on with an 18-year-old male driver, who suffered injuries in the accident. That driver was treated for injuries at Delaware County Memorial Hospital and released.
At the scene of the accident, the officer failed a field sobriety test administered by Upper Darby police, and refused to take a blood test to measure his blood alcohol content (BAC). Law enforcement officials released the officer to his girlfriend, and he was given a summons to appear in court October 28 to face several charges, including DUI and careless driving. According to Upper Darby police, the officer was not further detained because he had no prior offenses. The Philadelphia Police Department has placed the officer on desk duty pending the investigation into the matter.
As this report illustrates, even officers of the law are not immune from the negative consequences of DUI charges. Even if the officer is not convicted of DUI, he is already facing serious repercussions. For instance, he has been placed on desk duty, rather than being able to perform his normal duties as a narcotics officer. Due to the impact of a chemical test refusal, the officer may already have a suspended driver’s license, which would further negatively impact his ability to commute to/from his workplace. Furthermore, if the officer eventually is convicted of DUI, he may even lose his job or be further demoted.
Additionally, the officer refused to take a blood test when requested to do so by law enforcement officers during their DUI investigation. Regardless of whether the officer is convicted of DUI, he is subject to an automatic driver’s license suspension due to the fact that he refused to undergo chemical testing when requested. Under Pennsylvania’s implied consent law, any person who obtains a driver’s license agrees to undergo chemical testing when requested. As a result, if motorist does not comply with the agreement, his or her license will be suspended for a period of not less than one year, and the person will receive a mandatory jail sentence of three days. The person has only 30 days in which to appeal the automatic suspension by the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation. This makes it even more crucial for motorists facing DUI charges to contact an experienced DUI attorney as early as possible following an arrest.
Anyone who is facing DUI charges must take immediate action to protect himself or herself from the negative repercussions that naturally flow from a DUI arrest. A DUI charge and subsequent conviction can have a severe impact on one’s professional life, family, ability to drive, and one’s freedom. Contact The Law Offices of Steven E. Kellis at 215-940-1200 today, and let a seasoned Philadelphia DUI lawyer assist you in exploring your options for resolving your DUI case.