Other Consequences For Newport News DUI Convictions

In Newport News, there are several different kinds of aggravating factors and enhanced penalties under certain circumstances of a DUI. A DUI attorney in Newport News discusses the consequences and aggravating factors that are associated with a DUI case.

If there are minors in the vehicle at the time of the DUI incident, there are pretty big enhanced penalties that can come with it. This can cause someone to be charged with child endangerment, which is a felony and is a much bigger deal than the Class 1 Misdemeanor than the first DUI will be charged with.

Someone’s BAC can also require an enhancement based on how high it is. It can come with mandatory jail time depending on how high the BAC was. Basically, higher BACs are going to result in a higher penalties and harsher consequences.

If minors are in the vehicle, then somebody can be charged with child endangerment, which is a felony charge and is a much bigger deal than a class 1 misdemeanor, which is what a first offense DUI is charged as.

Yes, higher BACs result in higher enhancement penalties, which include more mandatory minimum fine as well as more mandatory minimum jail sentence time.

After someone is arrested for Newport News DUI, their license will be immediately suspended for 7 days after the charge. This is called an administrative suspension. If somebody is convicted of a Newport News DUI then their license will be suspended for up to a year.

Driving under the influence is a Class 1 misdemeanor in Virginia. That means that, apart from facing the legal penalties like jail time, fines, and a license suspension, you are facing the possibility of a DUI on your permanent criminal record. In Virginia, you cannot expunge your record of criminal convictions.

A criminal record has consequences of its own. Having a DUI on your record will likely appear in any background checks that you may need for your current or future employment. Furthermore, if you are one of the many people in Virginia who work for the government, or as a contractor for the government, you may have separate obligations as part of your security clearance. Depending on the type of security clearance, it may or may not be jeopardized by a criminal conviction like a DUI.

These are very important considerations that our office understands. We have helped numerous individuals facing issues with security clearances and background checks.

We also understand that your driving privileges may be integral to your livelihood. If you need to drive for your job, or if you have a long commute, it is crucial for you to protect those driving privileges. Contact an attorney today to discuss your case and how different outcomes may impact you, so that you can make an informed decision on what your goals are for your case.