Virginia, What Are the Legal Consequences for a First Conviction DUI?

Drunk driving accidents are far too common across the United States. DUI cases in Virginia are lower than in others, however, there are still a significant amount of DUI accidents occurring annually. The law cracks down hard on drivers who choose to operate their vehicles while they are intoxicated with alcohol or other drugs and that is why Virginia is ranked as the 11^th safest state in the US.

Though many drivers take heed and steer clear of driving when they have consumed alcohol, many drivers are still getting caught for DUI. In Virginia, the legal limit of blood-alcohol content (BAC) is .08%. Anyone driving a commercial vehicle has to ensure their legal limit is below .04%. Minors, or individuals under the age of 21 come under the zero-tolerance law. This means that they are not allowed to have any alcohol in their system.

For a first-time DUI conviction, there are certain penalties that the driver will have to face. These include:

• Paying a mandatory fine of $250
• Having one’s license revoked for one year
• Enrollment in an addiction/alcohol safety program
• In some cases, jail time
• Additional fines based on the damages incurred and the details of the case

It is important to keep in mind that even if a person is intoxicated with any sort of drug, even prescription drugs, then they can still be charged with a DUI. The main factor that officers will look out for is if the ability of the driver to safely operate their vehicle was clearly impaired. This means that even if their BAC is under the legal limit, but they were vividly impaired then they can still face DUI charges.

Some drivers think they can make their case better by refusing to take a test to measure their BAC levels. However, this is a very serious mistake as in Virginia the laws of implied consent are given. This means that as long as the officer has reasonable grounds to believe that a person is driving under the influence then drivers must give their BAC test. Anyone who refuses has committed a crime and can have their license suspended for a year.

Anyone who gets called in for a DUI should connect with Virginia DUI accident lawyers without delay to get assistance with their case.

What Should Be Done After Being Pulled Over by an Officer for DUI in Virginia?

Anyone who is pulled over by an officer should be as respectful as possible. However, they have the right to connect with attorneys near me, and this should be done without any delay. Once a person connects with a lawyer, they should follow their advice carefully to minimize their penalties by as much as possible.

Get in touch with Virginia DUI accident lawyers at Boone Beale LLC today to get assistance with one’s case.

Reach them at:

703.690.1222

Northern Virginia 703.690.1222

Richmond 804.780.1111

Tab Order 757.357.0808