two-hour rule (Pennsylvania) · Go Syfert
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two-hour rule in Pennsylvania

9 Pennsylvania opinions name it 2 courts 2007–2026 2 in the last five years

The cases below were cited by Pennsylvania courts in a sentence that names this issue. Sides come from how each citing opinion treated the case (Syfertize flag on that citation), so a case can appear on both: that is where the law is contested. A red or yellow chip is the case's own overall treatment.

Followed or applied (7)

CaseFollowedCited
Commonwealth v. Starrygreen
pasuperct · 2018 · cited in 2 Pennsylvania opinions naming this issue, 2019–2020
2 sentences

2020See Starry, 196 A.3d at 661 .

2019In Commonwealth v. Starry, 196 A.3d 649 (Pa. Super. 2018), appeal granted, 204 A.3d 369 (Pa. 2019),6 a panel of this Court considered whether the trial court erred in granting the defendant’s petition for writ of habeas corpus, and dismissing with prejudice a charge of DUI – highest rate of alcohol, based upon a violation of the two-hour rule.

12
Com. v. Arias, E.green
pasuperct · 2022 · cited in 1 Pennsylvania opinions naming this issue, 2026–2026
1 sentence

2026See Pa.R.A.P. 2119(a) (requiring the argument section of an appellant’s brief to contain “discussion and citation of authorities as are deemed pertinent”); Commonwealth v. Arias, 286 A.3d 341, 349 (Pa. Super. 2022) (finding waiver where appellant failed to develop claims with citation to applicable legal authority).

11
Commonwealth v. Modaffaregreen
pa · 1992 · cited in 1 Pennsylvania opinions naming this issue, 2020–2020
2 sentences

2020Op. at 11, the Majority primarily draws upon Commonwealth v. Modaffare, 601 A.2d 1233 (Pa. 1992), a decision that predates by over a decade the General Assembly’s adoption of the two-hour rule and the corresponding exception thereto. [J-90-2019] [MO: Saylor, C.J.] - 4 lower courts faced in attempting to draw this inevitably blurry line.

2020See id. at 1143 n.7.

11
Commonwealth v. Smithgreen
pa · 2019 · cited in 1 Pennsylvania opinions naming this issue, 2019–2019
2 sentences

2019In Commonwealth v. Starry, 196 A.3d 649 (Pa. Super. 2018), appeal granted, 204 A.3d 369 (Pa. 2019),6 a panel of this Court considered whether the trial court erred in granting the defendant’s petition for writ of habeas corpus, and dismissing with prejudice a charge of DUI – highest rate of alcohol, based upon a violation of the two-hour rule.

2019In that case, the ____________________________________________ 6 The Pennsylvania Supreme Court granted allocator review on the following issues: (1) Whether the rationale and holding in Commonwealth v. Segida, 604 Pa. 103 , 985 A.2d 871 (2009), applies to a charge of driving under the influence brought pursuant to 75 Pa.C.S. § 3802(c), which has a statutory requirement that the defendant have an alcohol concentration in his or her blood or breath of .16% or greater within two hours after driving, operating or being in actual physical control of the movement of a vehicle. (2) Whether the Super

11
Commonwealth v. Pughgreen
pasuperct · 2014 · cited in 1 Pennsylvania opinions naming this issue, 2016–2016
1 sentence

2016Commonwealth v. Pugh, 101 A.3d 820, 822 (Pa. Super. 2014) (en banc), appeal denied, 117 A.3d 296 (Pa. 2015) (citation omitted).

11
Commonwealth v. Benngreen
pasuperct · 1996 · cited in 1 Pennsylvania opinions naming this issue, 2015–2015
1 sentence

2015It is well settled that “the appellate courts of this Commonwealth will not decide moot questions.” Commonwealth v. Benn, 680 A.2d 896, 898 (Pa. Super. 2002) (citations omitted).

11
State v. Credifordgreen
wash · 1996 · cited in 1 Pennsylvania opinions naming this issue, 2007–2007
2 sentences

2007Although the offense is defined by reference to a BAC measurement taken some time after driving, the prohibited conduct is drinking excessively and then driving, a conclusion buttressed by the title of Section 3802, “Driving under the influence of alcohol or controlled substance.” See 1 Pa.C.S. § 1924 (directing that, although the title is not controlling, it may nonetheless “be considered in the construction” of the statute); 10 accord State v. Crediford, 130 Wash.2d 747 , 927 P.2d 1129, 1132 (1996) (holding that, in spite of the two-hour rule, the statutorily prohibited conduct is driving af

2007Although the offense is defined by reference to a BAC measurement taken some time after driving, the prohibited conduct is drinking excessively and then driving, a conclusion buttressed by the title of Section 3802, "Driving under the influence of alcohol or controlled substance." See 1 Pa.C.S. § 1924 (directing that, although the title is not controlling, it may nonetheless "be considered in the construction" of the statute); [10] accord State v. Crediford, 130 Wash.2d 747 , 927 P.2d 1129, 1132 (1996) (holding that, in spite of the two-hour rule, the statutorily prohibited conduct is driving

11

Distinguished, questioned or overruled (0)

CaseNegativeCited
No negative-treatment citations attached to this issue in Pennsylvania. Read the followed side critically anyway.

Also cited on this issue (10)

CaseCitedYears
Commonwealth v. Eichler green
pasuperct · 2016
2 sentences

2024Thus, “[i]n a section 3802(c) prosecution, when the blood test does not take place within two hours after the defendant drives, operates or is in actual physical control of the vehicle, test results are subject to suppression unless [the] Commonwealth proves good cause for the delay -5- J-S07034-24 in obtaining a blood test and the defendant did not imbibe alcohol between his arrest and his blood test.” Eichler, 133 A.3d at 786 .

2019In Commonwealth v. Eichler, 133 A.3d 775 (Pa. Super. 2016), appeal denied, 161 A.3d 791 (Pa. 2016), a panel of this Court considered whether the trial court erred in failing to suppress the defendant’s blood test results, which were obtained more than two hours after he struck a wheelchair-bound pedestrian with his vehicle.

22019–2024
Commonwealth v. Segida green
pa · 2009
2 sentences

2019In that case, the ____________________________________________ 6 The Pennsylvania Supreme Court granted allocator review on the following issues: (1) Whether the rationale and holding in Commonwealth v. Segida, 604 Pa. 103 , 985 A.2d 871 (2009), applies to a charge of driving under the influence brought pursuant to 75 Pa.C.S. § 3802(c), which has a statutory requirement that the defendant have an alcohol concentration in his or her blood or breath of .16% or greater within two hours after driving, operating or being in actual physical control of the movement of a vehicle. (2) Whether the Super

2019In that case, the ____________________________________________ 6 The Pennsylvania Supreme Court granted allocator review on the following issues: (1) Whether the rationale and holding in Commonwealth v. Segida, 604 Pa. 103 , 985 A.2d 871 (2009), applies to a charge of driving under the influence brought pursuant to 75 Pa.C.S. § 3802(c), which has a statutory requirement that the defendant have an alcohol concentration in his or her blood or breath of .16% or greater within two hours after driving, operating or being in actual physical control of the movement of a vehicle. (2) Whether the Super

12019–2019
Commonwealth v. Beasley green
pa · 2016
1 sentence

2019In Commonwealth v. Eichler, 133 A.3d 775 (Pa. Super. 2016), appeal denied, 161 A.3d 791 (Pa. 2016), a panel of this Court considered whether the trial court erred in failing to suppress the defendant’s blood test results, which were obtained more than two hours after he struck a wheelchair-bound pedestrian with his vehicle.

12019–2019
State, City of Mankato v. Chirpich green
minnctapp · 1986
1 sentence

2007See 75 Pa.C.S. § 3802(g). [4] The limits were changed in the new statute. [5] Section 3731(a)(5) of the old statute provided that it was a crime to exceed the BAC limit "if the amount of alcohol by weight in the blood of the person is 0.10% or greater at the time of a chemical test of a sample of the person's breath, blood or urine, which sample is: (i) obtained within three hours after the person drove, operated, or was in actual physical control of the vehicle. " Section 3802(c) of the new act says that "An individual may not drive, operate or be in actual physical control of the movement of

12007–2007
Sereika v. State green
nev · 1998
2 sentences

2007In Sereika v. State, 114 Nev. 142 , 955 P.2d 175 (1998), for example, the Nevada court explained that there is at least one conceivable rational basis for the enactment of [Nevada's DUI law containing a similar two-hour rule], completely separable from [a presumption that the defendant's BAC at the time of driving was the same as at the time of testing].

2007In Sereika v. State, 114 Nev. 142 , 955 P.2d 175 (1998), for example, the Nevada court explained that there is at least one conceivable rational basis for the enactment of [Nevada's DUI law containing a similar two-hour rule], completely separable from [a presumption that the defendant's BAC at the time of driving was the same as at the time of testing].

12007–2007
State v. Crediford green
wash · 1996
2 sentences

2007Although the offense is defined by reference to a BAC measurement taken some time after driving, the prohibited conduct is drinking excessively and then driving, a conclusion buttressed by the title of Section 3802, “Driving under the influence of alcohol or controlled substance.” See 1 Pa.C.S. § 1924 (directing that, although the title is not controlling, it may nonetheless “be considered in the construction” of the statute); 10 accord State v. Crediford, 130 Wash.2d 747 , 927 P.2d 1129, 1132 (1996) (holding that, in spite of the two-hour rule, the statutorily prohibited conduct is driving af

2007Although the offense is defined by reference to a BAC measurement taken some time after driving, the prohibited conduct is drinking excessively and then driving, a conclusion buttressed by the title of Section 3802, "Driving under the influence of alcohol or controlled substance." See 1 Pa.C.S. § 1924 (directing that, although the title is not controlling, it may nonetheless "be considered in the construction" of the statute); [10] accord State v. Crediford, 130 Wash.2d 747 , 927 P.2d 1129, 1132 (1996) (holding that, in spite of the two-hour rule, the statutorily prohibited conduct is driving

12007–2007
City of Fargo v. Stensland green
nd · 1992
1 sentence

2007See 75 Pa.C.S. § 3802(g). [4] The limits were changed in the new statute. [5] Section 3731(a)(5) of the old statute provided that it was a crime to exceed the BAC limit "if the amount of alcohol by weight in the blood of the person is 0.10% or greater at the time of a chemical test of a sample of the person's breath, blood or urine, which sample is: (i) obtained within three hours after the person drove, operated, or was in actual physical control of the vehicle. " Section 3802(c) of the new act says that "An individual may not drive, operate or be in actual physical control of the movement of

12007–2007
Commonwealth v. Mikulan green
pa · 1983
2 sentences

2007For the reasons set forth at length in Mikulan, 504 Pa. at 252-56 , 470 A.2d at 1343-45 , statutes that prohibit driving after drinking by reference to a threshold BAC level are not unconstitutionally vague.

2007For the reasons set forth at length in Mikulan, 504 Pa. at 252-56 , 470 A.2d at 1343-45 , statutes that prohibit driving after drinking by reference to a threshold BAC level are not unconstitutionally vague.

12007–2007
State v. Howren green
nc · 1984
2 sentences

2007See 75 Pa.C.S. § 3802(g). [4] The limits were changed in the new statute. [5] Section 3731(a)(5) of the old statute provided that it was a crime to exceed the BAC limit "if the amount of alcohol by weight in the blood of the person is 0.10% or greater at the time of a chemical test of a sample of the person's breath, blood or urine, which sample is: (i) obtained within three hours after the person drove, operated, or was in actual physical control of the vehicle. " Section 3802(c) of the new act says that "An individual may not drive, operate or be in actual physical control of the movement of

2007See 75 Pa.C.S. § 3802(g). [4] The limits were changed in the new statute. [5] Section 3731(a)(5) of the old statute provided that it was a crime to exceed the BAC limit "if the amount of alcohol by weight in the blood of the person is 0.10% or greater at the time of a chemical test of a sample of the person's breath, blood or urine, which sample is: (i) obtained within three hours after the person drove, operated, or was in actual physical control of the vehicle. " Section 3802(c) of the new act says that "An individual may not drive, operate or be in actual physical control of the movement of

12007–2007
State v. Rose green
nc · 1984
2 sentences

2007See 75 Pa.C.S. § 3802(g). [4] The limits were changed in the new statute. [5] Section 3731(a)(5) of the old statute provided that it was a crime to exceed the BAC limit "if the amount of alcohol by weight in the blood of the person is 0.10% or greater at the time of a chemical test of a sample of the person's breath, blood or urine, which sample is: (i) obtained within three hours after the person drove, operated, or was in actual physical control of the vehicle. " Section 3802(c) of the new act says that "An individual may not drive, operate or be in actual physical control of the movement of

2007See 75 Pa.C.S. § 3802(g). [4] The limits were changed in the new statute. [5] Section 3731(a)(5) of the old statute provided that it was a crime to exceed the BAC limit "if the amount of alcohol by weight in the blood of the person is 0.10% or greater at the time of a chemical test of a sample of the person's breath, blood or urine, which sample is: (i) obtained within three hours after the person drove, operated, or was in actual physical control of the vehicle. " Section 3802(c) of the new act says that "An individual may not drive, operate or be in actual physical control of the movement of

12007–2007

Statutes the citing opinions construe

PA § 75 Pa. Cons. Stat. § 3802 (7)

Counted by distinct opinions that both name this issue and are annotated to the section; sections every opinion cites regardless of issue are not filtered here, so read the counts against the total above.

Where else courts name it

NY 25 (1986–2025) PA 9 (2007–2026) OH 7 (1982–2006) NM 2 (2005–2013) WA 2 (1999–1999) MD 2 (2004–2011)

Opinions by the citing court's state. A doctrine retained in one state and abandoned in another shows up here as a year span that stalls.

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