State police and PennDOT are reminding everyone about a bill signed into law earlier this year that will change the grading of certain offenses for driving under the influence.
Act 59 of 2022, also known as Deana’s Law, amends the state’s vehicle code to require consecutive sentencing for certain repeat DUI offenders, and imposing an 18-month suspension for a DUI conviction that is graded as a second-degree felony. An individual who is charged with DUI who refuses a breath or chemical test or who is charged with DUI with a blood alcohol level of .16 or higher or a DUI involving controlled substances, and has had two or more prior offenses would face third-degree felony charges, which is punishable by imprisonment for no more than 7 years. Those with three or more prior offenses would be charged with a second-degree felony would be eligible for imprisonment for no more than 10 years.
Another major change in the law would make sentences run consecutively for those who had two or more prior offenses instead of running concurrently except for violations that are required to be merged.
In a news release, Director of the State Police Bureau of Patrol Major Robert Krol said that the law enhances penalties for repeat offenders and is intended to make people think twice before re-offending.
The bill was signed into law by Governor Wolf back in mid-July.
Comments