Being charged and convicted of DUI by a Manassas, VA court of law is a serious criminal offense and your best bet at protecting your future is to hire an attorney. If you or a loved one have been arrested and charged with DUI in Prince William County it is of utmost importance that you reach out to a knowledgeable and experienced Virginia DUI lawyer at your earliest convenience. Hiring a criminal defense attorney to thoroughly examine the legal details of your DUI defense case will give you a good chance for arriving at the best possible outcome.
You need an experienced Manassas criminal defense lawyer who will work hard to develop your legal defense strategy. Do not hesitate to call our office today if you are facing the legal implications of drunk driving. Consult with an aggressive Manassas attorney today to discuss your options for minimizing the harsh penalties that result from criminal conviction. Choosing a strong lawyer to advocate on your behalf and navigate the complex criminal justice system can help you get your life back on track as soon as possible.
What You Should Do Immediately After a DUI
After you are arrested for DUI/DWI, you should contact a Manassas DUI lawyer to protect your rights and help you fight a DUI conviction. DUI convictions can have harsh fines and jail time and can impact many other areas of your life far into the future.
Most people do not realize that officers must have probable cause to pull them over. Additionally, you may not be capable of performing standardized field sobriety tests even if you haven’t consumed any alcohol. Blood concentration tests need to be administered correctly as well, and when they aren’t, it could mean that you are facing a jail term for something you didn’t do.
You will likely get a suspended license and be rejected from jobs, apartments, and loans for years to come. Another thing that can make DUI in Virginia much worse is that you could face other charges, such as reckless driving, that can have additional penalties.
If you have been accused of drunk driving, you need a Manassas DUI attorney for your DUI defense. Do not attempt to defend yourself or try to explain yourself in a DUI/DWI situation or you might make your circumstances go from bad to worse. The laws in northern Virginia are harsh, which means your DUI charges could easily become a DUI conviction. Contact our defense attorneys today to get started on your DWI defense and protect your rights.
What Is Considered a DUI/DWI?
The state of Virginia prioritizes safe travel for all on roads and highways and imposes severe penalties such as possible jail time and suspension of your driver’s license even for first offense DUI. Driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol impairs your faculties and ability to respond to the driving environment in a safe way. Upon consuming alcoholic beverages, your body accumulates a blood alcohol concentration or BAC for short. It is against the law to drive while your BAC is at or above 0.08%. It is possible to be convicted of a DWI charge with a combination of drugs and alcohol without that percentage if it can be proven you were impaired enough to be guilty of reckless driving. DWI means driving while intoxicated by mind altering substances. If you are facing such charges in Prince William County, contact us today to have an attorney get on your case as soon as possible.
While the BAC level for the average person is illegal in the state of Virginia at or above 0.08%, tolerance for other drivers is lower. A person under 21 years of age who is found to be operating a motor vehicle with a BAC 0.02% or higher can be arrested and charged for a serious underage DUI offense. Even at the legal age for consuming alcohol, if you are caught driving a commercial vehicle with a blood alcohol concentration of just 0.04%, not only are you likely to lose your job, this drunk driving arrest will carry severe penalties if convicted to the full extent. In these cases, you need criminal defense lawyers ready to help fight with a fair and strong legal strategy. Our law firm has provided the best legal counsel to help many commercial vehicle drivers and juveniles fight for a fair defense following their DUI arrest.
Is there any way to defend against a DUI charge?
Accuracy of the Sobriety Testing
As your DUI lawyers will show you while they build a defense strategy for your case, the validity of criminal offenses are contingent upon the facts and violated law involved. One set of details upon which possibility for conviction hangs heavily are results of testing done at the time you were accused of drunk driving. Good lawyers keep up communication with clients to explain how the evidence available can help strengthen your DUI defense in hopes of getting the best outcome.
Accuracy of the Breathalyzer Test
At the time of DUI arrest, Manassas or Prince William County law enforcement may have asked you to submit to a breathalyzer test. This is a preliminary test done to help the officer determine if their suspicion regarding your intoxication is reasonable. If your breath shows a BAC above the legal limit, they may subject you to further testing to attain more accurate results. This can serve as evidence the prosecutor can use against you but that does not mean it’s a closed case. Your DUI charge may involve evidence that could be challenged which is why it’s vital your lawyer investigates the evidence to be presented in court. The Manassas DUI lawyers at our practice will look for inconsistencies and other issues that have in the past successfully resulted in DUI cases being dismissed or lessened penalties.
Medical and Health Issues
Some Virginia residents wind up facing charges for driving under the influence when they have medical and health issues that are similar to the kind of behavior police officers are trained to look for with DUI/DWI. One of the common medical issues mistaken for this criminal offense is diabetes. When blood sugar levels are too high or too low, they can cause a person to become dizzy and disoriented, making it easy to fail standardized field sobriety tests.
Additionally, excess ketones in the system may lead to a higher reading on blood alcohol concentration tests. People with brain injuries, dementia, and epilepsy often face drunk driving charges even when they haven’t consumed any alcoholic beverages. You need a Manassas DUI attorney to help you prove that your medical issues were the reason the police officer assumed you were intoxicated. Contact our law firm today for a free consultation to learn more about how we can help defend you in your DUI/DWI case.
Can Marijuana Use Lead to DUI?
Intoxication that leads to a Manassas DUI charge is not limited to alcohol only. Any drug or substance that impairs your ability to safely operate a motor vehicle is illegal. If you have been arrested and charged with driving while intoxicated by marijuana, a DUI attorney in Prince William County can help advocate for your rights. Those include your right to legal representation to develop a case in your defense. A strong DUI lawyer can help you understand how laws regarding this substance are evolving and may know about new developments therefore that may work in your favor.
What Are the Penalties and Consequences of a DUI Conviction?
DUI charges in Prince William County followed by successful conviction by state prosecutors result in significant, life altering punishments. Some of these are imposed on persons convicted guilty in criminal cases directly by the court system but there can be other consequences that seem to reach parts of your life you hadn’t imagined possible. We are experienced Manassas attorneys who can navigate the law process and help you fight mandatory minimum jail sentences associated with DUI convictions as a result of a drunk driving accusation.
Additionally, the court is mandated to impose fines. Many facts surrounding your DUI charges weigh in to determine just how much you will be required to pay. Clients sometimes are unaware that repeat DUI offenses result in increased fines and worse penalties for each subsequent incident. A third offense of DUI conviction is a felony, a serious crime which carries harsh punishment including a prison sentence. Consequences following a DUI arrest have the possibility of being lessened if you have a strong DUI defense case developed by attorneys who have your best interests in mind.
Fines and Other Financial Considerations
Manassas DUI cases do best in court of law when represented by attorneys experienced and well versed in Virginia DUI law. Expensive court imposed fines range from $250 minimum up to $2,500, depending entirely on the events and details coinciding with your DUI arrest. There are other financial concerns your DUI lawyer can advocate to be lessened for you as well. These include but are not limited to:
- Any additional fines or fees imposed by court system
- Increased automobile insurance premiums
- Court ordered substance abuse education courses
- Installation and maintenance of Ignition Interlock Device
- Alternate transportation while driving privilege is suspended or revoked
- Driver’s License reinstatement fees
Hiring an aggressive lawyer after a DUI charge in Prince William County may seem like a heavy expense at first glance. However, the legal guidance our firm provides clients will be your best defense for the possibility of a lesser sentence. Drunk driving is an expensive problem to be facing and any leniency your DUI attorney may be able to negotiate on your behalf is well worth the effort.
Driving Privilege Loss and Limitations
Trusting your criminal defense representation to a DUI attorney at the Law Offices of Michael Pignone is a wise choice. This could mean the difference between potentially losing your driving privileges and possibly having your criminal charges reduced or dismissed altogether. As soon as possible following a drunk driving arrest, please contact our firm to have an experienced criminal defense attorney fight for you just as we have intently fought for many clients.
Quality DUI defense attorneys know how the system works. We can find the missing pieces that may be key to avoiding revocation of your driver’s license following a drunk driving arrest. The sooner an attorney on our team examines the facts of your situation the better in order to determine the best ways to be granted leniency in your sentencing. Consider the difference between losing your driving privileges for a long period of time or instead only a shorter time frame and perhaps not at all. Lessening of penalties or the possibility for dismissal is the benefit of a DUI lawyer solidifying a strong defense on your behalf.
DUI FAQs
Do I need a lawyer for a DUI charge?
Many people in Virginia wonder if they can represent themselves for criminal offenses like DUI/DWI. While you are not required by law to hire a lawyer, it is strongly advised that you do so to protect your legal rights. Criminal penalties for a DUI can be very serious, even for a first offense.
When a simple traffic offense involves reckless driving, DUI/DWI, and even charges like domestic violence, the need for an attorney becomes critical. Most people are not able to fight a DUI conviction on their own. This type of criminal conviction will impact your career and reputation. You may lose your professional license or find it impossible to get a decent job. If you have prior convictions on your criminal record, jail time will be the most likely result of this criminal charge. Contact our law firm immediately after you have been arrested for a free initial consultation.
What is the difference between a DUI and a DWI?
It’s likely you’ve heard of DUI or DWI even before you’ve found yourself in this situation. DUI stands for “driving under the influence” while DWI means “ driving while intoxicated.” In other states, there may be a difference between these terms and their severity. However, in the state of Virginia, they are used interchangeably. In terms of punishments, there is no difference between the two charges recognized by Virginia’s Department of Justice. All matters related to driving under the influence will be prosecuted by the state when police officers have probable cause, field sobriety tests, and breathalyzer tests to incriminate you. Even if the situation seems dire, our attorneys are here to help you through this legal scenario and work to achieve the best possible outcome.
Will a DUI affect my job?
Under Virginia law, DUI charges and convictions are part of the public record. This means that even if you are arrested for a DUI and not convicted, it can show up in a background check that employers use prior to hiring potential employees.
Unfortunately, you could lose your job or professional license. Any job that requires operating a company vehicle will also be impacted by the laws. There is also the matter of consecutive DUI arrests for any type of job. If you keep getting arrested or convicted for DUI, then your current employer or a future employer may believe that you have a substance abuse problem and are unfit to work without getting treatment.
Can a DUI be expunged from my record?
In Virginia, you may be able to seal your records but they will always be accessible to law enforcement agencies. However, certain scenarios may allow you to have a DUI expunged from your record.
Your arrest record or DUI conviction can only be expunged or sealed in Virginia if your case is dropped or dismissed. This may happen if you are proven innocent and were wrongfully accused of driving under the influence. Barring these exceptions, you will have this blemish on your criminal record. As mentioned previously, it can impact many other areas of your life.
Whether you were under the influence or mistaken for being intoxicated, the only way to move forward is to contact an attorney familiar with DUI laws in Virginia. Our law firm has represented many cases similar to yours and will challenge your field sobriety test and blood test to help protect your future. We can assess your unique circumstances and determine the best course of action for your defense.
Legal Defense Strategy
One of the most stressful experiences of your life might be having been arrested and charged with DUI after using alcohol or drugs and drunk driving in Manassas, Virgina. If this is the situation you or your loved one find yourself in, loss of driving privileges and jail time are part of a probable outcome but an attorney can help you fight your charges and possibly avoid conviction. You will not want to attempt navigating the complex criminal justice system on your own without guidance of a knowledgeable and aggressive Manassas DUI lawyer. Call the attorneys at the Law Offices of Michael Pignone today for a free evaluation of your case. You will be glad you trusted your drunk driving charges defense plan to the experienced DUI lawyers at our firm.