Berks County Probation & Parole

Driving Under Suspension/Driving Under the Influence Intermediate Punishment (DUS/DUI IP)

The Berks County Probation and Parole department offers specialized supervision when an offenders case is found to be eligible for Driving Under Suspension/Driving Under the Influence Intermediate Punishment Program (DUS/DUI IP). The District Attorney’s office in conjunction with Adult Probation and Parole Office will make a recommendation to the court for entry and supervision into the IP program.

*Effective 2/1/04 the mandatory sentence for DUS/DUI-related (1543b,1) is 60-90 days in jail and a $500 fine.

Requirements

How it works...

The IP sentence will be based on the results of the drug/alcohol evaluation. The defendant will be advised of what IP sentence will be offered as soon as the Adult Probation & Parole Office receive the results of the drug/alcohol evaluation from the TASC Program. All participants who opt for IP will be placed on Intermediate Punishment for 90 days. The IP sentence will also include: 5 days in jail; 85 days of house arrest with Electronic Monitoring (EM) (defendant to pay up to $8 per day for EM); 16 hours of community service; and may include drug/alcohol treatment in the form of either in-patient treatment, a halfway house program, intensive out-patient treatment, and or out-patient treatment. If the defendant participates in either in-patient treatment or a halfway house program, the period of time that is served in either one of these programs will be deducted from the 85 days of EM (with a minimum period of 30 days of house arrest/electronic monitoring). The defendant will also be sentenced to pay the mandatory $500 fine.

What you'll need...

The following conditions must be fulfilled in order to be accepted into the DUS/DUI IP Program:

You cannot be classified as a Habitual Offender by PENNDOT.
You have no 1st Degree Felony convictions.
You have never been sentenced to Electronic Monitoring (EM) or House Arrest .
You must complete a DRUG AND ALCOHOL EVALUATION at TASC, and comply with all treatment recommendations.
You must remit a MONEY ORDER made payable to Berks County Adult Probation in the amount of $750 for the fee associated with the EM equipment.
You must have an approved residence.

Who to contact...

If you are accepted into DUS/DUI IP program you must contact Jessica Bodor within three business days following a plea of guilty before the Magisterial District Judge. You will be scheduled for an initial consultation to determine your eligibility, and initiate the process. You are required to bring a copy of your citation and the subpoena when you report to the Adult Probation & Parole Office.