Dinwiddie DUI Lawyer 

The criminal penalties that go along with a DUI conviction are serious. Someone convicted of DUI could face harsh legal penalties, including jail time, fines, and a license suspension all in addition to the social consequences associated with a criminal conviction.

For those with jobs that require a clean driving record, a conviction could cost them their employment. Any criminal record could affect future employment opportunities, as well as housing placement and educational prospects. With so much at stake, it is important to contact a defense attorney in Dinwiddie to handle your case.

A Dinwiddie DUI lawyer will understand how a conviction could impact your future and can work hard to help you build a strong defense on your behalf.

How Virginia Law Define DUIs

Every motorist learns about the risks of driving while intoxicated in driver’s education. However, not every driver fully understands the potential legal consequences of driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs.

In the state of Virginia, driving under the influence (DUI) is a criminal charge with penalties that escalate with each conviction. Drivers with a blood alcohol content (BAC) level of 0.08% are considered legally intoxicated in Virginia, and can, therefore, face DUI charges.

However, the BAC level standard decreases for certain classes of drivers. Commercial drivers could face the same DUI charge with a BAC of just 0.04%. Drivers under the age of 21 (who are legally prohibited from drinking) could be charged with a DUI if their BAC is just 0.02% and should therefore consult with a Dinwiddie DUI attorney if charged.

Driving While Impaired by Drugs

Unlike other states, Virginia law does not distinguish between driver while intoxicated and driving while impaired by drugs. The law prohibits driving under the influence of both alcohol and drugs.

This law specifically states that no one can operate a motor vehicle while under the influence of any narcotic drug or any other self-administered intoxicant or drug of whatsoever nature, or any combination of such drugs, to a degree which impairs his ability to drive.

Anyone who drives while impaired by any drugs could be charged with DUI, and face the same penalties as an intoxicated driver. Even if the driver is impaired by over the counter or prescription drugs, they could face this charge which is why the counsel of a determined Dinwiddie DUI attorney is so important.

Potential DUI Penalties

Penalties for a DUI conviction could including jail sentences, fines, a driver’s license suspension, along with other penalties. Potential penalties include:

• First offense: a $250 fine and license revocation for one year
• Second offense: a $500 fine, license revocation for three years, and a jail sentence up to one year
• Third offense: a $1,000 fine, indefinite license revocation, and a prison sentence between one and five years
• Subsequent offenses: possible fines and jail sentences will continue to increase with each subsequent offense.

Those charged with a subsequent DUI within 10 years of their prior offense can also face enhanced penalties, regardless of the number of prior offenses.

Contact a Dinwiddie DUI Attorney Today

Being convicted of a DUI can have very real consequences. If you have been charged with DUI, you run the risk of jail time, steep fines, and losing your driver’s license. A Dinwiddie DUI lawyer can help defend you against these charges.