Once upon a time, there was a young man named John who was falsely accused and arrested for DUI by the police. John was a hardworking good man. He had been at a friend’s house watching football but didn’t drink with his friends.

His buddy sitting next to him on the crowded couch spilled his beer on John while celebrating the game winning touchdown. Now John stunk from the alcohol. That night, he was pulled over on the way home, the officer claimed that he had been swerving and had the smell of alcohol on his breath.

John was taken to the police station and told he had to take a blood test. He couldn’t believe it. He was scared and didn’t know what to do. Remembering all of his TV and movie watching, he said he wanted to talk to an attorney first. The police said no and deemed him a refusal. He just didn’t understand how when he was sober he could be arrested and when he wanted advice he couldn’t get it. Despite John’s protests of innocence, he was charged with DUI and taken to jail for booking.

John knew that he needed an attorney to help him fight the charges. He was innocent and the police were way out of line. He was not financially well off. He was embarrassed. He didn’t want to tell friends and family. Although his family and friends would have helped him, he chose to go this alone. So, he chose the cheapest attorney he could find. This attorney told him that his case was hopeless and because he got in trouble for a small fight years ago where he had to pay a fine, he should just give up and plead guilty and accept the harsh sentence. John didn’t know about law or the legal system so trusted his attorney and plead guilty.

The conviction for DUI had a devastating lifelong effect on John’s life. He lost his job, as the company he worked for had a strict policy against hiring anyone with a conviction. He had a hard time finding a new job, as most companies did not want to hire someone with a DUI conviction on their record. He also found it difficult to find a new place to live, as many landlords did not want to rent to someone with a criminal record.

John also had to pay large fines that he couldn’t afford and got deeper into debt. His job search was hampered because a good bit of his time was used attending an alcohol education program, going to probation/parole meetings and doing court ordered community service. He also lost his driver’s license for awhile which made it hard for him to find work and get to work as well.

John soon realized that his mistake was choosing the cheapest attorney he could find, instead of investing in a qualified and experienced attorney who would have fought for his innocence and helped him clear his name.

This story illustrates how important it is to have a great criminal defense attorney, and how a conviction for a crime, even if it is false, can have a devastating effect on a person’s life.

Don’t end up like John. Call (717) 657-3900 today and let The McShane Firm handle your case.

Justin McShane

PA DUI attorney Justin J. McShane is the President/CEO of The McShane Firm, LLC - Pennsylvania's top criminal law and DUI law firm. He is the highest rated DUI attorney in PA as rated by Avvo.com. Justin McShane is a double Board certified attorney. He is the first and so far the only Pennsylvania attorney to achieve American Bar Association recognized board certification in DUI defense from the National College for DUI Defense, Inc. He is also a Board Certified Criminal Trial Advocate by the National Board of Trial Advocacy, a Pennsylvania Supreme Court Approved Agency.