Bethlehem DUI Lawyer

DUI Charges in Bethlehem and the Lehigh Valley

A DUI arrest in Bethlehem can change your daily life overnight. A stop on Route 22, Route 378, or through one of Bethlehem’s neighborhoods can quickly turn into handcuffs, a night in custody, and a stack of paperwork you may not understand. From that point forward, you are dealing with both a criminal case and possible PennDOT consequences.

At Madsen Law Offices, we represent drivers in Bethlehem, Freemansburg, Fountain Hill, and communities throughout the Lehigh Valley who are facing DUI and related charges. We explain the process in clear terms, help you understand your options at each step, and focus on both the court case and your driver’s license.

Our office is in Easton, but we regularly work with people from Bethlehem and the surrounding area. If you or a family member has been charged with DUI in Bethlehem, you do not have to sort this out by yourself. Call 484-548-0529 to speak with Madsen Law Offices about your situation.

DUI Cases We Handle in Bethlehem and Nearby Communities

Pennsylvania uses a tiered DUI system that looks at your blood alcohol concentration (BAC), prior history, and whether there was an accident, injuries, or a refusal of testing. In the Bethlehem area, our firm handles many different types of DUI cases, including:

• First-offense DUI charges
• Second, third, and subsequent DUI arrests
• High BAC and “highest rate” DUI cases
• DUI involving crashes, property damage, or alleged hit-and-run
• DUI based on prescription medications, controlled substances, or mixed use
• Underage DUI for drivers under 21, including college and trade school students
• Cases involving an alleged refusal of a blood or breath test
• Matters where ARD (Accelerated Rehabilitative Disposition) or other diversion may be an option
• DUI-related license suspensions, ignition interlock issues, and limited license questions
• Companion charges such as reckless driving, careless driving, or driving under suspension

Your case will usually begin in front of a Bethlehem-area Magisterial District Judge and may then move to the Court of Common Pleas in either Northampton County (at the courthouse in Easton) or Lehigh County (at the courthouse in Allentown), depending on where the incident occurred. We are familiar with how DUI matters move through both county court systems.

How Bethlehem DUI Cases Move Through the System

The stop, field tests, and chemical testing

Most Bethlehem DUI cases start with a traffic stop, checkpoint, or response to a reported incident. The officer may claim you were weaving, speeding, or otherwise driving in a way that raised suspicion. You may be asked to perform roadside field sobriety tests and then be given a breath test or taken for a blood draw.

Small details can make a big difference. The timing of the stop, the officer’s reason for pulling you over, how the field tests were explained, and how any blood or breath samples were collected and processed may all become important issues. At Madsen Law Offices, we carefully review the police reports and other discovery, and when available, we examine dashcam or bodycam footage to look for weaknesses in the Commonwealth’s case.

Magisterial District Judge hearings in the Bethlehem area

After charges are filed, your case will usually be scheduled for a preliminary hearing before a local Magisterial District Judge serving the Bethlehem area. This first court date is where the Commonwealth must present enough evidence to show that a crime may have been committed and that you are the person charged.

The preliminary hearing is also a key opportunity to:

• Gauge the strength of the evidence against you
• Cross-examine witnesses when appropriate
• Identify legal issues with the stop, testing, or paperwork
• Begin early discussions about possible ARD or other resolutions

Having a DUI lawyer who regularly appears in Bethlehem-area MDJ courts can help you understand what will happen at the hearing, what you should bring, and how to prepare.

Court of Common Pleas in Northampton or Lehigh County

If your Bethlehem DUI case is “held for court,” it will move from the MDJ level to the Court of Common Pleas. Depending on where the stop or incident occurred, that may be:

• The Northampton County Court of Common Pleas at the courthouse in Easton, or
• The Lehigh County Court of Common Pleas at the courthouse in Allentown.

At the Common Pleas level, you may face a formal arraignment, pre-trial conferences, motion hearings, plea negotiations, and possibly a trial. In some cases, evaluation for ARD or other alternative programs is also part of this stage. Each county has its own procedures and expectations, so understanding which county is handling your Bethlehem DUI case is important.

License suspensions and PennDOT issues

The criminal court and PennDOT processes are related, but they are not the same. Even if you work out a deal in court, PennDOT may still impose a license suspension or ignition interlock requirement based on your BAC, prior record, and whether there was a refusal of testing.

We help Bethlehem clients understand:

• Whether a suspension is likely on a first, second, or later DUI
• How long a suspension might last
• Whether a limited license or ignition interlock license might be an option
• How ARD, pleas, or convictions will appear on your driving and criminal record
• What you need to do to restore your license when you are eligible

Why Local Experience With Bethlehem DUIs Matters

The basic DUI statute is the same across Pennsylvania, but how cases are handled can be different from county to county and even courtroom to courtroom. Bethlehem DUI charges can be filed in either Northampton County or Lehigh County, and each has its own approach to ARD, plea discussions, and sentencing.

Local experience matters because it helps you:

• Know what to expect from Bethlehem-area MDJ offices at preliminary hearings
• Understand what Northampton and Lehigh County prosecutors typically consider for ARD or other programs
• Anticipate how particular courts handle high-tier or repeat DUI cases
• Gather the treatment records, evaluations, or documentation that may be useful before sentencing

At Madsen Law Offices, our Easton-based practice regularly serves Bethlehem residents. We are familiar with the local court systems in both Northampton and Lehigh Counties, and we use that knowledge to better prepare our clients for each stage of the process.

How Madsen Law Offices Handles Bethlehem DUI Cases

Our firm’s approach to Bethlehem DUI defense is focused on careful preparation and open communication. When we take on a case, we work to understand both the legal issues and the practical concerns in your life.

In many Bethlehem DUI cases, our work includes:

• Meeting with you early to review the stop, the testing, and your background
• Requesting and studying the police reports, lab results, and other discovery for legal and factual problems
• Identifying potential motions related to the stop, arrest, or chemical testing procedures
• Advising you about ARD, treatment, and other options based on the county handling your case
• Preparing you for each hearing so you know what will happen and what decisions may need to be made

Some clients are most worried about staying out of jail. Others are concerned about their job, a commercial driver’s license, or a professional license. We listen to your priorities and work with you to create a strategy that fits your goals and the realities of the Bethlehem-area courts.

Practical Steps After a Bethlehem DUI Arrest

Every DUI case is different, and you should get legal advice tailored to your situation. That said, many people in Bethlehem find these general steps helpful after an arrest:

• Read all of the paperwork you received and keep it together in a safe place.
• Write down what you remember about the stop, the tests, and any conversations with police while it is still fresh.
• Do not discuss the details of your case on social media or with friends and coworkers.
• Pay attention to any court date listed on your citation or summons and treat it as mandatory.
• Contact a DUI attorney before your preliminary hearing so there is time to review your case and plan a response.

At Madsen Law Offices, we can go through your paperwork with you, explain how Bethlehem-area DUI cases usually move forward, and help you decide on next steps. To schedule a consultation, call 484-548-0529.

Bethlehem DUI FAQ

Where will my Bethlehem DUI case be heard?

Most Bethlehem DUI cases begin with a preliminary hearing before a local Magisterial District Judge. If the case is held for court, it will usually go to the Court of Common Pleas in either Northampton County (at the courthouse in Easton) or Lehigh County (at the courthouse in Allentown), depending on where the incident happened. We help you determine which court has your case and what that means for the process.

Can Bethlehem DUI defendants get ARD?

ARD may be available in some first-time DUI cases in both Northampton and Lehigh Counties, but it is not guaranteed. Eligibility depends on your prior record, the facts of the case, and the policies of the county District Attorney’s Office. An attorney can help you understand whether you might qualify, what ARD involves, and how it could affect your record and license.

What penalties might I face for a first DUI in Bethlehem?

Pennsylvania’s DUI penalties depend on your BAC level, whether there was an accident or injuries, and whether you have any prior DUI offenses. A first DUI can still carry the possibility of fines, probation or jail time, treatment requirements, and license consequences. We review the specific charges and explain the possible ranges of punishment for your Bethlehem case.

Will a Bethlehem DUI automatically cost me my driver’s license?

Not every DUI results in the same license penalties, and the rules can be confusing. Some drivers face a suspension or ignition interlock requirement even on a first offense, while others may have shorter or no suspensions. We help you understand how PennDOT is likely to treat your situation and whether you may have options for limited or ignition interlock licenses.

How soon should I contact a Bethlehem DUI lawyer?

It is usually best to contact a DUI attorney as soon as you receive a citation, summons, or notice of charges. Early involvement gives your lawyer more time to review evidence, prepare for the preliminary hearing, and discuss ARD or other options with you. At Madsen Law Offices, we encourage Bethlehem residents to reach out well before their first court date so we can help them plan a strategy.

Talk With a Bethlehem DUI Lawyer

A DUI charge in Bethlehem can threaten your license, your job, and your future, but you do not have to go through the court system alone. Having a local strategy that takes into account Bethlehem MDJ practices and the procedures in both Northampton and Lehigh County courts can make a meaningful difference.

At Madsen Law Offices, our office at 680 Wolf Avenue, Easton, PA 18042 represents clients from Bethlehem and across the Lehigh Valley in DUI and related criminal matters. To discuss a Bethlehem DUI case in a confidential consultation, call 484-548-0529 or visit myeastonattorney.com to request an appointment.