(File Photo)

Story by Beaver County Radio News Staff
(Harrisburg, Pa.) Act 59 of 2022 referred to as “Deana’s Law” amends the Pennsylvania Vehicle Code by increasing the grading for certain DUI offenses, requiring consecutive sentencing for certain repeat DUI offenders, and imposing an 18-month driving privilege suspension for a DUI conviction graded as a felony of the second degree.
Under the new law, an individual charged with DUI who refuses a breath or chemical test or who is charged with DUI with a BAC of .16 and has prior offenses would faces a A third degree felony charge for their third offense, which carries a maximum prison sentence of not more than seven years. A Second Degree Felony Charge would be assessed for a fourth or higher offense and that is punishable by a maxim term of not more than ten years in prison.
Another change is that a sentence imposed on an individual for a DUI offense who has two or more prior offenses shall be served consecutively to any other sentence the individual is serving or any other sentence imposed by the court, except for violations that are required to be merged. In addition, the law provides for a sentencing enhancement in cases where an individual has four or more prior DUI offenses.