When someone is convicted of multiple DUI offenses, it becomes apparent that he or she is not committing the alleged crimes intentionally. Often, alcoholism or a similar addiction is controlling the drunk driving behaviors, and that person may lack the ability or power to suppress their addictive tendencies and resulting harmful actions.

This may be the case with a Pennsylvania man who is currently facing his fifth DUI charges. Starting in 1993, the 38-year-old has appeared before multiple criminal courts to defend against charges of DUI, drug use, driving with a suspended license, driving without insurance, and other traffic violations.

The most recent arrest took place in February when the man allegedly caused a car accident which subsequently caused two additional car accidents. When police arrived on the scene, they began to suspect that the man was intoxicated, and a breath test allegedly registered his blood alcohol content at 0.285 percent.

In December, the man's driver's license was suspended after he was arrested for DUI. Previously, he had been charged with drunk driving twice in 2006 and once in 1993, all of which resulted in DUI convictions.

Based on those multiple convictions, the man will likely face additional punishment if he is found guilty of DUI in the December and February arrests. According to the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation, a conviction for a third offense DUI, or any offense after, carries varying penalties based on the blood alcohol content at the time of arrest. Up to 0.099 percent carries up to two years in jail and a one-year license suspension, while more than 0.16 percent carries up to five years in jail and 18 months with a suspended license.

Source: ABC27, "Adams County man charged with 5th DUI", Amy Kehm, 1 March 2011