What is the DUI Hotel in Allegheny County?

If you found this article, you may be facing a 1st Time DUI in Pittsburgh. Or maybe you had your 1st DUI more than 10 years ago, and were recently charged with another DUI recently. If so, you may be concerned about the prospect of serving jail time on your case, due to the mandatory jail sentences that apply to most DUI offenses.

However, not everyone ends up in jail, and Allegheny County provides several options to offenders and their attorneys to pursue a resolution to avoid jail time. One of those options is the DUI Alternative to Jail Program, otherwise known as the DUI Hotel.

How does the DUI Alternative to Jail Program (DUI Hotel) work in Allegheny County, Pennsylvania?

In 2010, Allegheny County launched the DUI Alternative to Jail Program as an option to keep 1st time DUI offenders, or those otherwise charged with offenses classified as 1st DUI offenses, out of the county jail. The DUI Hotel gives offenders the ability to complete nearly all required DUI penalties over the course of an intensive, four-day program held at a dry hotel.

Before attending the program, you will have “pre-hotel” requirements to complete, which may include surrendering your license, paying fines, attending AA/NA meetings, or related requirements. Upon check-in, you will be subject to a breathalyzer test and may have your luggage and belongings searched to determine if there’s alcohol or non-prescription drugs present.

During the 4-day DUI Hotel program, you will participate in intensive curriculum, to include Alcohol Highway Safety School and group therapy. Once complete, you receive “credit and time served” towards your mandatory minimum jail sentence, allowing you to avoid the jail completely.

Qualifying for the DUI Alternative to Jail Program

In order to qualify, you and your DUI defense attorney should carefully consider the evidence and options against you to see if the DUI Hotel is your best option. Specifically, your attorney should exhaust all other options, which might include your entry into the Accelerated Rehabilitative Disposition program. Alternatively, if your charge is reduced to a 1st Offense DUI General Impairment without any sentencing enhancements for an accident or chemical test refusal, you will not face any jail time, making the DUI Hotel unnecessary.

Second, your attorney will have to advocate for the DUI Alternative to Jail program as part of a plea agreement, or convince your sentencing judge to grant the DUI Hotel as an option to avoid jail time. If this occurs, your sentencing judge will typically sentence you to the mandatory jail time (2-4 days or 3-6 days in the Allegheny County Jail), with permission to serve the sentence through the DUI Alternative to Jail Program.

Third, you will have to schedule, pay for, and complete the program within the timeframe specified by your sentencing Judge. Many judges require you to pay the approximate $500 cost within 60 days after sentencing, and require you to complete the 4-day program within 90 days after sentencing. You should pay careful attention to your sentencing order and probation officer’s directions. If you fail to pay for or complete the program, then you will be required to appear back in court on a future date to complete your sentence in jail.

What are the benefits to the DUI Hotel?

There are several benefits to the DUI Hotel, which include:

Serving your “jail time” at a dry hotel, instead of the Allegheny County Jail;
Not having to serve a period of house arrest that is typically much longer than your mandatory jail time (i.e. 30 days of house arrest when you are only facing 3 days in jail);
Reducing the number of offenders who violate their probation by failing to complete their treatment and classes;
Reducing recidivism through treatment.

The Zuckerman Law Firm can help you navigate through your 1st Offense DUI

If you are charged with a 1st DUI, you are best served hiring an experienced attorney who can review your case, recommend and pursue an outcome that is consistent with your goals. The Zuckerman Law Firm has represented hundreds of DUI offenders with one goal in mind: help minimize penalties and consequences so you can move on with your life. For a free consultation, call our skilled DUI Lawyers at 412-447-5580 today.