New Kent County DUI Lawyer

If you have been charged with driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol in Eastern Virginia, you need the counsel of a competent New Kent County DUI lawyer.

Your defense attorney in New Kent can help you evaluate the details surrounding your arrest and can fight to help you achieve the best outcome available under the circumstances.

A DUI can carry stiff penalties and can become part of your criminal record, so it is vital that you seek the help of a New Kent County DUI attorney who can represent you aggressively, both in and out of the courtroom.

New Kent County DUI Charges

A DUI arrest can have long-lasting ramifications for your ability to drive and maintain a license. If convicted, you could face hefty fines, time in jail, and the loss of your driver’s license, even for a first offense. Subsequent offenses carry even stricter penalties.

If you have been arrested for driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs, a New Kent County DUI lawyer can help you understand the potential penalties you are facing and the possible impact on your permanent record, as well as the strategies you might consider for your defense.

A police officer can pull you over on suspicion of operating a motor vehicle under the influence of alcohol or drugs for a number of reasons, for example:

• If your driving is too slow or too fast
• If you are swerving or driving erratically
• If you fail to observe traffic signals or signs
• If any part of your vehicle (such as a headlight, taillight, or mirror) appears to be defective
• If your vehicle registration or inspection has expired, or appears to have expired

If you do get pulled over, you may be asked to submit to a variety of field sobriety tests, which may include walking a straight line, following a bright light with your eyes, or standing on one leg. You can refuse to take these roadside sobriety tests.

However,under Virginia’s implied consent laws, anyone who holds a driver’s license from the state of Virginia must submit to a breath test if asked to do so by an officer. If you refuse to take the test, your license will be automatically suspended for up to a year, regardless of the outcome of any DUI charges associate with the stop.

An individual is considered legally intoxicated and subject to arrest and conviction for DUI if his or her breath test results show a BAC of 0.08% or higher. Driving under the influence is a class 1 misdemeanor under Virginia state law and therefore warrants attention from a New Kent County criminal lawyer.

Penalties for DUI

Penalties for DUI vary according to the number of offenses committed, number of years between offenses, and any extenuating circumstances surrounding the case. Having a New Kent County DUI attorney who can walk you through the legal process will prove invaluable, both in understanding the consequences of a DUI arrest and in developing an effective defense strategy. Potential penalties include:

• First time offense: Fine of up to $250, one-ear suspension of driver’s license, and possible jail time depending on the BAC.

• Second time offense: Fine of up to $500, three-year suspension of driver’s license, and possible jail time of 20 days to one year.

• Third time offense: Minimum $1,000 fine, indefinite suspension of driver’s license, and 90 days to six months’ mandatory jail time depending on when your prior offenses took place. In addition, a third offense is a class 6 felony punishable by up to five years in prison and up to $2,500 in fines.

Consult a New Kent County DUI Attorney Today

If you have been charged with DUI, it is important to know what your rights are, what the potential penalties for your actions could be, and how to develop a strong defense strategy when you go to court. Your New Kent County DUI lawyer will help you carefully evaluate the evidence against you, consider all sides of the story, determine whether the arresting officer acted in accordance with all legal requirements, and defend you in the courtroom.

No matter what the circumstances of your arrest were, a New Kent County DUI attorney can fight to make sure you get aggressive representation during your case.