Lawrenceville, Virginia is a small city with a long, storied history. Located in Brunswick County, the truth is that law enforcement officials throughout the area have an active presence, and DUI charges are not uncommon. At Randall, Page & Bruch, P.C., our team is here to help if you need to Lawrenceville, Virginia DUI attorney by your side. We have the resources necessary to stand up to prosecutors in an effort to get the charges against you reduced or dismissed altogether. Do not hesitate to turn to our team immediately following a DUI arrest.
If you are facing allegations of a DUI throughout Virginia, you have every right to be concerned. DUI penalties are harsh as they will create a criminal record, affect your driver’s license and increase your car insurance rates.
To make matters worse, there are many ways to pursue accusations of a DUI. An officer could pull you over for a mundane offense and if they have any suspicions that you may be intoxicated, they can make an arrest. Alcohol isn’t the only substance that classifies as a DUI, but so are street drugs and even prescription medicines.
Virginia takes DUI allegations very seriously and does not offer any sort of diversion program that offers a plea bargain. Working with an attorney who can fight to protect you, your rights, and your privileges every step of the way is vital. Randall, Page & Bruch, P.C., lawyers are able to provide essential help and at the same time explain the facts of the case.
The criminal penalties for a DUI conviction will vary depending on whether it is a first, second, third, or more offense. At its central core, a DUI is a class 1 misdemeanor. The court is able to sentence a guilty offender to jail for up to one year, fines up to $2,500 but no less than $250, or both under VA codes. A light penalty only applies to people of the legal drinking age who are encountering their first conviction. In some situations, the court may permit the installation of an alcohol monitoring device in the vehicle instead of going to jail.
A second DUI conviction during a time frame of five to ten years after the first one requires the offender to pay a fine no less than $500 and a minimum jail term of one month.
The third DUI conviction is considered a class 6 felony. The minimum jail sentence is increased to 90 days if committed within ten years. A minimum of six months is required if the violator committed the offense within five years. The fine will jump to $1,000 as well.
There are various ways that a person could lose their license if they had been arrested and/or convicted of DUI in Lawrenceville, Virginia (§ 18.2-266. Driving motor vehicle, engine, etc., while intoxicated, etc.). First, it is crucial to point out that any person who has a valid driver’s license in Virginia has already given consent to submit to a blood or breath test if they are arrested for DUI. If they refuse to submit to this testing, this will result in an automatic one-year license suspension, even if they are not eventually convicted of the DUI.
If a person is convicted of DUI, their license will be suspended for one year. However, drivers who are enrolled in or have completed the Virginia Alcohol Safety Action Program (VASAP) will be eligible for a restricted license that allows them to travel to and from work, school, and medical treatments during the one-year suspension time frame.
Drivers who are convicted of DUI will also be required to install an ignition interlock device (IID) in their vehicle for a minimum of six months.
A Lawrenceville, Virginia DUI attorney can help no matter how many prior DUI convictions are on someone’s record. The effects of a DUI on a license can be detrimental so it is smart to enlist guidance and support from an attorney.
A DUI attorney is going to be critical to help with these cases. The reality is that law enforcement officials and prosecutors will vigorously pursue any person charged with DUI. However, an attorney can use their resources and legal expertise to build a solid defense on behalf of their client. This will include:
A DUI lawyer understands the laws in Virginia better than anyone. He or she will also know the procedural rules that must be followed throughout court proceedings. At Randall, Page & Bruch, P.C., our attorneys are skilled at identifying defenses that apply to your case and raising them in court for you.
Then you look at DUI lawyers’ ability to retain experts. Should you need to hire expert witnesses, a well-versed attorney will have a network of experts that are readily available for you.
Many DUI attorneys know whether or not a plea agreement is best for the outcome of the case. No one will understand your criminal history and facts around your arrest better than one of Randall, Page & Bruch, P.C., finest lawyers. They will be able to negotiate a favorable outcome than the offender could on their own.
If you or a loved one have been arrested and charged with driving under the influence in Lawrenceville, VA please turn to the team at Randall, Page & Bruch, P.C. as soon as possible. Our attorneys have the resources and experience necessary to handle every aspect of this case for you. We will get to work building a solid defense on your behalf so we can represent you both in and out of the courtroom. Our goal is to get these charges reduced or dismissed so you can get back to living your life. When you need a Lawrenceville, Virginia DUI attorney, you can contact us for a free consultation of your case by clicking here or by calling 757-742-6115.
