(a) General rule.--Except as set forth in subsection (b), the term "prior offense" as used in this chapter shall mean any conviction for which judgment of sentence has been imposed, adjudication of delinquency, juvenile consent decree, acceptance of Accelerated Rehabilitative Disposition or other form of preliminary disposition before the sentencing on the present violation for any of the following:
(1) an offense under section 3802 (relating to driving under influence of alcohol or controlled substance);
(2) an offense under former section 3731;
(3) an offense substantially similar to an offense under paragraph (1) or (2) in another jurisdiction; or
(4) any combination of the offenses set forth in paragraph (1), (2) or (3).
(b) Timing.--
(1) For purposes of sections 1553(d.2) (relating to occupational limited license), 1556 (relating to ignition interlock limited license), 3803 (relating to grading), 3804 (relating to penalties) and 3805 (relating to ignition interlock), the prior offense must have occurred:
(i) within 10 years prior to the date of the offense for which the defendant is being sentenced; or
(ii) on or after the date of the offense for which the defendant is being sentenced.
(2) The court shall calculate the number of prior offenses, if any, at the time of sentencing.
(3) If the defendant is sentenced for two or more offenses in the same day, the offenses shall be considered prior offenses within the meaning of this subsection.
(Nov. 29, 2004, P.L.1369, No.177, eff. imd.; Oct. 27, 2014, P.L.2905, No.189, eff. 60 days; May 25, 2016, P.L.236, No.33, eff. imd.)
2014 Amendment. Section 2 of Act 189 provided that the amendment of subsec. (b) shall apply to persons sentenced on or after the effective date of section 2.
Cross References. Section 3806 is referred to in sections 1556, 3805 of this title.
Structure Pennsylvania Consolidated & Unconsolidated Statutes
Pennsylvania Consolidated & Unconsolidated Statutes
Chapter 38 - Driving After Imbibing Alcohol or Utilizing Drugs
Section 3802 - Driving under influence of alcohol or controlled substance
Section 3805 - Ignition interlock
Section 3807 - Accelerated Rehabilitative Disposition
Section 3808 - Illegally operating a motor vehicle not equipped with ignition interlock
Section 3809 - Restriction on alcoholic beverages
Section 3810 - Authorized use not a defense
Section 3811 - Certain arrests authorized
Section 3812 - Preliminary hearing or arraignment
Section 3814 - Drug and alcohol assessments
Section 3815 - Mandatory sentencing
Section 3816 - Requirements for driving under influence offenders