Virginia DUI Information
If you have come to this website, chances are that your or someone you love has been charged with driving under the influence (DUI) and you are looking for Virginia DUI information. Virginia considers drunk driving to be a serious crime, and punishes offenders accordingly. However, with the right Virginia DUI defense attorney on your side, you can increase your chances of the reduction, dismissal, or acquittal of your charges.
The legal blood alcohol content (BAC) limit in Virginia is .08% for drivers over the age of 21. Due to the state’s Zero Tolerance laws, underage drivers may be charged with DUI for possessing a BAC of .02%. To determine your BAC, an officer may ask you to take a breathalyzer, blood, or urine test. Please note that refusing to take the breathalyzer is a violation of the Implied Consent law and could result in an automatic driver’s license suspension.
The punishment for a Virginia DUI conviction depends on the driver’s BAC when operating the vehicle as well as any prior drunk-driving convictions. The typical sentence for a DUI includes incarceration, fines, alcohol education courses, and a suspended driver’s license. In some cases, the judge may order the defendant to install an ignition interlock device in his or her vehicle as a condition of license reinstatement. This device measures the driver’s BAC before the vehicle can start--if the BAC is above a preset limit, the driver will be unable to operate the vehicle and the violation will be reported to the court.
Certain factors may result in enhanced penalties. For example, if the driver’s BAC was over a certain limit or a child under the age of 18 was present in the vehicle, the fines and jail sentence may be increased. And, while most DUI offenses are charged as a misdemeanor, a third drunk-driving offense within 10 years is classified as a Class 6 felony.
When deciding whether or not to fight a Virginia DUI charge, you should consider the consequences that can impact your day-to-day life. If you are found guilty, you will develop a criminal record that can be accessed by the public. This means that when you apply for jobs and your potential employer conducts a background check, your DUI conviction could be discovered. In some cases, you could be terminated from your current job if your employer requires a clean criminal and/or driving record.
The Law Office of Michael C. Tillotson exclusively handles DUI cases. Thanks to our attorney’s training and experience, we have helped a number of clients avoid the consequences of a drunk-driving conviction. For more Virginia DUI information and a free case evaluation, please complete our online form now.
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