Worgul, Sarna & Ness, LLC
DUI, drug charges, assault, ARD eligibility
Free ConsultationFlat / Hourly📍 Pittsburgh
Charged with a crime or DUI in Pittsburgh? The first thing to know is that you don't have to face Allegheny County's courts alone, and for many first-time offenders the outcome is far better than people fear. Pennsylvania grades DUIs by your blood-alcohol level — general impairment (.08–.099), high (.10–.159), and highest (.16 and up) — and penalties climb sharply at each tier. But Allegheny County's ARD program (Accelerated Rehabilitative Disposition) lets many first-time, non-violent defendants complete supervision and then have the charge dismissed and expunged. Cases run through the Allegheny County Court of Common Pleas. Most Pittsburgh defense firms charge flat fees for misdemeanors and offer a free first consultation, so you can learn where you stand before paying anything.
Updated April 22, 2026
DUI, drug charges, assault, ARD eligibility
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A criminal charge in Pittsburgh moves through the Allegheny County court system, starting with a preliminary arraignment and a preliminary hearing where the Commonwealth has to show there's enough evidence to proceed. A good defense lawyer uses that early stage to challenge weak evidence, question how a stop or search was conducted, and look for ways to get charges reduced or dropped before trial.
DUI is the most common charge here, and Pennsylvania ties the penalty to your BAC. General impairment (.08–.099) for a first offense usually means no jail, probation, and a fine. High BAC (.10–.159) and highest BAC (.16+) bring mandatory minimum jail time, longer license suspension, and required ignition-interlock devices. A refusal to test triggers its own license penalties under the implied-consent law.
For first-time, non-violent defendants, ARD is often the goal. Complete the program — supervision, classes, sometimes community service — and the charge is dismissed and can be expunged, leaving no conviction on your record. Fees vary by charge: a misdemeanor or first DUI commonly runs a flat $1,500–$5,000, while felonies and trials cost more and may be billed hourly. Ask any firm for a written fee agreement up front.