Arrested for DUI in Chester County?
Here's What to Do Tonight.
Michael DiCindio has defended hundreds of DUI cases in West Chester and across Chester County for over a decade. Free, confidential case review — answered 24/7, including weekends.
What To Do In The Next 24 Hours
If you were arrested in Chester County last night, do these five things today:
- Write down everything you remember — where you were stopped, what the officer said, what tests they asked you to do, whether you refused the breathalyzer. Details fade in 48 hours.
- Do not post about it on social media. Not vague, not joking, not at all. Prosecutors pull social media in PA DUI cases.
- Find your paperwork. You should have a citation and a DL-26 form if chemical testing was involved. You have 30 days from arrest to request an administrative license hearing with PennDOT.
- Don’t talk to the arresting officer or prosecutor without counsel. Anything you say to “clear it up” becomes evidence.
- Call a DUI attorney who practices in Chester County. Local matters — we know the West Chester ADAs, the Common Pleas judges, and the specific way Chester County handles ARD intake.
"Am I going to jail?" (The honest answer)
- 6–12 months of probation
- License suspension of 30, 60 or 90 days (or none at lowest BAC tier) depending on the BAC and other factors.
- Fines, fees, safe-driving class, and CRN evaluation and potentially
- A clean record after successful completion — ARD allows expungement
[Link: Read our full guide to the Chester County ARD program →]
How Much Will This Cost?
Every case is unique, fees reflect the specific time, strategy, and resources your matter requires. Fees are structured individually to make sure you’re only paying for what your case needs — and so it is given the full attention it deserves. We are happy to discuss that with you directly after a consultation.
Case Results
- Commonwealth v. J.T. – First Offense DUI. Chester County. ARD Granted. Case completed and dismissed. Case expunged.
- Commonwealth v. J.P. – First Offense DUI with accident. Chester County. ARD Granted.
- Commonwealth v. N.S. – Second Offense DUI. Chester County. R.P.P. Program Granted/Imposed.
- Commonwealth v. K.B. — First Offense DUI, .13 BAC, Chester County. Case Dismissed after Suppression Hearing. Suppression of Evidence Granted.
- Commonwealth v. J.B. – 3rd (plus) Offense Lifetime DUI and related offenses. Chester County. Dismissed at Preliminary Hearing, remaining charges plead to summary citations at Court of Common Pleas.
- Commonwealth v. A.G. – 2nd Offense DUI. Suppression Motion Filed After Preliminary Hearing. Case resolved with traffic/summary citations.
Past results do not guarantee future outcomes.
ABOUT Mike DiCindio
Michael DiCindio has practiced criminal defense in Chester County for over a decade. A former prosecutor, he founded DiCindio Law in 2014 and has represented hundreds of clients in DUI and criminal matters across West Chester, Exton, Malvern, Downingtown, Coatesville, Phoenixville, Kennett Square, and Oxford.
- Admitted: Pennsylvania Bar 2010— PA Bar ID 308789
- Eastern District of PA
- Legal correspondent, MSNBC and Sirius XM
- Widener University School of Law – Delaware
- Chester County Bar Association; Pennsylvania Criminal Defense Lawyers Association Member.
TESTIMONIALS
FAQs
(Every question below is from Reddit research. Answer each in 2–4 sentences.)
Am I eligible for ARD on a first offense in Chester County?
Many first-time offenders with no prior ARD or DUI convictions are eligible (fact dependent), but Chester County’s DA has discretion to deny it — particularly in cases involving accidents, injuries, or very high BAC levels. If accepted, ARD allows you to avoid a conviction entirely and eventually expunge the record. An attorney can assess your specific facts and advocate for your admission.
What happens to my driver's license after a PA DUI arrest?
PennDOT will suspend your license for 12 months on a standard First Offense DUI conviction, though the length varies by tier and whether it’s a refusal case. If you successfully complete ARD, the suspension is typicall much lower depending on your BAC and other relevant factors (30, 60, 90 Days). Your suspension runs separately from your criminal case and is handled administratively by PennDOT, not the court.
I refused the breathalyzer. What now?
Refusing a breath or blood test triggers an automatic 12-month civil license suspension under Pennsylvania’s implied consent law, on top of any criminal penalties. In specific factual scenarios a refusal also elevates you to the Highest BAC tier for sentencing purposes, even without a test result. There is a 30-day window to appeal the civil suspension to the Court of Common Pleas, so time matters. This is a separate process and case from the criminal case. Therefore, you can have two matters being litigated simultaneously.
Will a DUI show up on a background check?
A DUI conviction is a criminal record and will appear on most background checks. If you complete ARD and later expunge the record, it should not appear on standard official Pennsylvania State Police Record checks, though law enforcement and certain licensing boards retain access. The stakes of conviction versus ARD diversion are significant, which is why fighting for program admission is so important.
I have a CDL. Am I going to lose it?
Yes — a DUI conviction triggers a one-year disqualification of your CDL under federal law, even if the DUI occurred in a personal vehicle. A second offense results in lifetime disqualification. ARD does not protect CDL holders the same way it protects regular license holders, which makes your case especially high-stakes from the start.
I'm a nurse / teacher / healthcare worker. Will I lose my license?
A DUI conviction may trigger mandatory self-reporting obligations to the Pennsylvania State Board of Nursing, the Department of Education, or other applicable licensing boards. If so, the board then conducts its own review, and outcomes range from no action to suspension or probationary conditions. Avoiding a conviction through ARD or a successful defense significantly reduces — though doesn’t eliminate — your professional exposure.
Do I need a local lawyer or can I use someone from Philadelphia?
You can use a Philadelphia attorney, but there are real advantages to someone who regularly practices in Chester County. Local counsel knows the assigned judges, the DA’s office policies, and how ARD applications are evaluated in that jurisdiction specifically. Courtroom relationships and familiarity with local practice norms matter more than many clients expect.
How long does a DUI case take in Chester County?
A typical DUI case in Chester County takes anywhere from three to nine months from arrest to resolution, depending on whether it goes through ARD, proceeds to trial, or involves contested suppression issues. ARD cases are typically moved through the system more quickly and “fast tracked”.
When do I actually need to hire a lawyer — before or after my preliminary hearing?
Before. The preliminary hearing is your first opportunity to challenge the case. Having or waiving a hearing is a significant decision and can create barriers to programs at a later time if not handled within the requirements of the County program rules. Beyond that, waiving it without strategy can close off important options. An attorney also needs time before that hearing to review the police report, evaluate suppression issues, and begin the ARD application process if appropriate.
What's the difference between a $3,500 flat fee and a $10,000 flat fee?
Generally, the difference reflects the scope of representation, the attorney’s experience level, and how contested the case is likely to be. A lower flat fee may cover ARD processing and routine appearances, while a higher fee typically contemplates suppression motions, expert witnesses, and potential trial. You should always ask exactly what is and isn’t included before signing a fee agreement. You should be provided with a detailed fee agreement.
The officer didn't read me my rights. Does that matter?
Miranda warnings are only required before custodial interrogation, so their absence doesn’t automatically invalidate the arrest or the chemical test results. However, if you made incriminating statements during a custodial interrogation without being warned, those statements may be suppressible. It’s a fact-specific issue worth reviewing with an attorney, but it’s rarely a case-ender on its own.
Can I get my DUI expunged in PA?
A standard DUI conviction cannot be expunged in Pennsylvania except in very limited circumstances, such as if you are over 70 and have been arrest-free for ten years. However, if you completed ARD, you are entitled to expungement of the arrest record after finishing the program. That expungement is one of the primary reasons ARD is worth pursuing aggressively for eligible first-time offenders.
What To Do Next
You don’t have time to wait. Call or text (610) 840-6561 — answered 24 hours a day, including weekends and holidays. Free case review. No obligation. Everything you tell us is confidential.
REQUEST A CALLBACK
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