In Virginia, Driving Under the Influence is not a minor charge that will disappear after paying a fine. The repercussions are much worse. For a first offense DUI, with no aggravating factors, a guilty finding will still carry a hefty fine, a one-year license suspension, and mandatory alcohol education classes.
If your blood alcohol content is between .15% and .20%, a mandatory 5-day jail sentence will also be imposed. If your blood alcohol content is above .20%, the mandatory jail sentence is 10 days.
Another aggravating factor is the presence of children in the car. If children are in the car, an additional 5-day mandatory jail sentence will be imposed, regardless of blood alcohol content.
Consulting an experienced DUI attorney is important to mitigate circumstances and get the best outcome possible. In addition to knowing the ins and outs of the law and fighting for a dismissal, an experienced attorney can help arrange for better outcomes such as weekend jail programs and restricted licenses to lessen the negative impact of a guilty finding.
One last point to mention is that if you are found driving under the influence, you can be arrested on the spot. Any arrest by state police officers can ultimately lead to reporting to Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), putting you at risk for deportation if there are underlying immigration issues at play.
If you or a loved one encounters any issue with driving under the influence, please contact us or call (757) 464-9224, and we will be happy to set up a consultation right away.