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DUI charges can take a massive toll on your life. Not only do you face the possibility of going to jail, but you also have fines to pay. On top of these issues, you may have a DUI license suspension. For many people, losing their license is the most challenging thing to deal with after a DUI charge, and...
Continue ReadingVirginia takes drunk driving very seriously, going as far as suspending a first-time offender’s driver’s license for an entire year. Even after you regain your license, a DUI conviction may continue to impact your day-to-day life for several years. Additionally, you cannot expunge a DUI conviction, so that means it will remain on your criminal record permanently. The negative...
Continue ReadingIn 2019, Virginia recorded 236 alcohol-impaired driving fatalities. These made up more than a quarter (28.4%) of all the state’s driving fatalities for the year. State legislators try to curb drunk driving by imposing strict penalties on convicted defendants. Additionally, Virginia imposes stricter penalties on repeat offenders. Still, a drunk driving arrest does not automatically result in a conviction....
Continue ReadingEvery state treats drunk driving offenders differently. In Virginia, approximately 32% of all traffic fatalities in 2019 were alcohol-related. To reduce fatalities, Virginia imposes strict penalties on drivers convicted of operating their vehicles under the influence of drugs or alcohol. In some cases, this commitment to preventing intoxicated driving can result in overzealous law enforcement agents improperly charging innocent...
Continue ReadingDrunk driving causes hundreds of fatalities on Virginia roadways each year. As a result, Virginia imposes strict penalties on those convicted of driving under the influence (DUI) of drugs or alcohol. However, not everyone arrested for DUI is guilty. Law enforcement must comply with strict rules during DUI investigations. If they fail to do so, you could negotiate with...
Continue ReadingXanax is the name of a drug belonging to the benzodiazepine family. Benzos, as this class of drugs is often known, are powerful depressants. In addition to Xanax, other drugs in the benzodiazepine group include Valium, Ativan, Restoril, and Klonopin. Doctors prescribe these drugs to treat seizures. However, doctors also prescribe these medications to patients suffering from severe sleeplessness...
Continue ReadingIf you’ve been arrested for DUI in Virginia, you should know what to expect when you go to court for your DUI arraignment. Your choices at arraignment shape how your case proceeds through the court system. Familiarizing yourself with the DUI arraignment process before you go to court will help you make the best decisions for yourself and your...
Continue ReadingFacing a DUI charge can be daunting, especially if you have no criminal record. You probably realize that keeping your record clean is important. So you might wonder if Virginia has any first DUI laws on the books that might give you a break because you don’t have a record. When people ask us about what can happen with...
Continue ReadingWhen Is a Breath or Blood Test Required? When a driver is suspected of DUI, it is standard for law enforcement to have breath or blood tests administered. When the law enforcement officer first pulled you over, they may have subjected you to a preliminary breath test. A handheld device is used to conduct such tests, and these handheld...
Continue ReadingWhat Happens If You Refuse the Chemical Test? A standard set of actions take place in all DUI charges in Virginia. The process begins with the initial police stop. A law enforcement officer will claim to have observed some type of driving behavior that could indicate alcohol or drug intoxication, such as speeding, weaving, wrong-way driving, or the police...
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