In and around Emporia, Virginia it is not uncommon to see law enforcement officials from various jurisdictions. Emporia is surrounded by Greensville County, and even though this is a relatively small independent city, the police are on a continual lookout for impaired drivers. At Randall, Page & Bruch, P.C., we are here to help if you need an Emporia, VA DUI attorney by your side. We refuse to cower to aggressive prosecutors and law enforcement officials as we stand up for the rights of our clients. Let us help you handle these charges today.
When we look at the law in Virginia pertaining to driving under the influence (§ 18.2-266), we can see that it is unlawful for any person to operate a vehicle if their blood alcohol concentration (BAC) is 0.08% or higher. The law also states that it is illegal for a person to operate a vehicle if they are under the influence of any narcotic or self-administered intoxicants.
Law enforcement officials in Virginia do not have to prove that a person’s BAC is above the legal limit or that they have a narcotic or intoxicant in their system in order for the initial arrest to be made. Police can arrest a person even if they suspect that they are intoxicated and their driving is impaired.
In Emporia and throughout Virginia, a first-time DUI offender could face the following penalties:
For those found to have a blood alcohol content ranging from .15% to .20%, they will face a mandatory minimum of five days in jail. For those found to have a blood alcohol content level of .20% or higher, they will face a mandatory 10 days in jail.
In most scenarios, a first-time offender will not face any jail time. However, the penalties for a second or third DUI offense within a five-year timeframe will result in significantly enhanced penalties upon conviction.
A DUI lawyer in Emporia, VA is going to be a lifeline for a person facing these charges. The role of a DUI attorney will be to handle every aspect of these charges on behalf of their client. An attorney can conduct a complete investigation into the incident. This will include analyzing all of the evidence gathered and being used by law enforcement and prosecutors. This will also include conducting an independent investigation to ensure that the evidence was gathered in a legal way.
An attorney will be responsible for handling all communication with the prosecution in an effort to get the charges reduced or dismissed. A DUI lawyer will also be responsible for going to any court appearances.
Some of the most important reasons for hiring a DUI defense attorney are because:
Violators always want to be aware of state laws that may require anyone under suspicion of a DUI to take a breathalyzer test. Upon receiving their license, drivers give consent for this test to occur, also known as implied consent. A refusal to take a breathalyzer test can result in you being detained and then brought to a hospital where the medical staff may draw blood. Refusing a breathalyzer test also results in the same loss of driving privileges as a DUI offense. If this were to happen to you or someone you know, contact the attorneys at Randall, Page & Bruch, P.C.
In addition to breathalyzers, when it comes to an underage person, penalties can vary. Drivers are considered intoxicated once their BAC reaches a level of .01% or higher. The consequences of this offense are listed below.
If an individual is convicted of multiple DUI/DWI convictions this will likely lead to an ignition interlock device being installed in the vehicle. The purpose of this device is to prevent the driver from starting the vehicle if their BAC is over 0.05%.
Intoxicated driver programs are a requirement for any type of alcohol-related traffic offense too. The program must be completed at an Intoxicated Driving Resource Center.
Be sure to contact our team at Randall, Page & Bruch, P.C. if you find yourself involved in any kind of DUI/DWI. For years our law firm has helped represent Emporia, Virginia drivers that are mixed up in a DUI/DWI.
If you or somebody you care about has been charged with driving under the influence in Emporia, Virginia turn to the team at Randall, Page & Bruch, P.C. for help as soon as possible. We have extensive experience handling complex traffic and DUI cases throughout the Commonwealth of Virginia, and we know what it takes to help clients get these charges reduced or dismissed. We will fully investigate every aspect of your case so we can make sure that you are treated fairly every step of the way. When you need an Emporia, VA DUI attorney, you can contact us for a free consultation of your case by clicking here or by calling 757-742-6115.
