DUI Preliminary Hearing

Bucks County criminal defendants, including Bucks County DUI defendants, have a Constitutional right to a Preliminary Hearing in Pennsylvania. At a Bucks County Preliminary Hearing, the Commonwealth (the prosecution) must prove a “prima facia” case. This is a low burden for the prosecution to meet. This means that the Commonwealth must only slightly show that you committed each element of the crime of DUI in Bucks County.

There are legal strategies that should be employed at a Bucks County DUI Preliminary Hearing, depending upon your charges and your situation. Many times at the Preliminary Hearing an experienced Bucks County DUI criminal defense attorney can eliminate or downgrade other driving offenses charged along with your DUI, such as speeding or careless driving. It is extremely important to contact and retain an experienced Bucks County DUI and criminal defense lawyer such as Caterina Saile, Esq. before you appear at your Bucks County Preliminary Hearing.

At the Bucks County Preliminary Hearing your bail will be set. There are different types of bail that may or may not require you to put up money. It is important to know and understand which type of bail is set. A local Bucks County DUI and criminal defense lawyer can explain this process to you. At the Preliminary Hearing, you will also be ordered by the District Justice to make an appointment for your CRN evaluation within a 72 hour period.

If necessary, a court reporter will be hired to make a record of the testimony at your Bucks County Preliminary Hearing. This record can be used to cross-examine the police officer(s) at trial. With years of criminal trial experience, defense attorney Caterina Saile is capable of strategizing and preparing the best possible DUI defense for you!