Virginia Drunk Driving Defense

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Attorney Offices by Municipality

Alexandria
Altavista
Amherst
1. Shrader, Thompson: * Auto Accidents and other Personal Injuries * Domestic Relations/Family Law * Civil Litigation * Criminal Law, including Traffic Violations * Estate Planning and Administration * Real Estate * Corporate and Business Representation * Chancery * Local Government Law
Ashland
1. Metropolitan Law Center: Criminal Defense, Civil Litigation, Bankruptcy, Custody disputes, Back Support, Appeals, Personal Injury, Wills, Estates, Debt workouts, Corporate or LLC formation, contract or business law, traffic matters
Bedford
1. Shoen, Darren: Criminal charges can be devastating to the lives of individuals as well as their families. Incarceration, severe fines, permanent criminal records, along with a host of other serious penalties can result from being charged with a crime or serious traffic offense.
Blacksburg
Bristol
1. Fleenor, Douglas: In Virginia, operating a motor vehicle after consuming alcohol or other drugs may result in being charged with drunk driving. Driving under the influence of alcohol, drunk driving, drinking and driving is commonly referred to as a DUI or DWI. OWI is operating while intoxicated. Depending on the state you have been charged in, the charging document may refer to the charge as a DUI, DWI or OUI. Another type of offense is a DUID. DUID is driving under the influence of drug(s) or a combination of alcohol and drugs. Regardless of whether you have been charged with a DUI, DWI, OWI or DUID, the penalties are very serious in Virginia. The penalties you receive from the court is only the beginning. You stand to lose your job, pay an exorbitant rate for car insurance, lose your ability to drive either completely or have your driving privileges extremely restricted. The courts have had a lot of pressure put on them lately to not give any kind of break to those charged with an offense where alcohol and driving are involved. These laws apply not only to automobiles, but also to boats and aircraft as well.
Burke
1. Hazelwood, Charles: speeding tickets and other serious traffic violations, including driving under the influence (DUI)
Charlottesville
1. Weber, Charles: DUI/DWI charges can lead to serious consequences, including jail time, court costs, fees for programs like the Virginia Alcohol Safety Action Program (VASAP), placement of an ignition interlock system on your car, and restriction or revocation of your driver's license. If you have been arrested or charged with drunk driving it is important to seek the help of an experience criminal defense lawyer as soon as possible.
Chesapeake
Chesterfield
Chester
1. Phelps, Charles: * Driving on a suspended license * Drunk driving (DUI or DWI) * Speeding violations * Hit and run * Reckless driving
2. Colonial Heights
  1. KuchinskyĘ& Yeamans: If you have been charged with a crime, the choice you make in a lawyer can affect the rest of your life.
Courtland
1. Railey & Railey: GENERAL PRACTICE Ą FAMILY LAW Ą TRAFFIC LAW Ą CRIMINAL LAW Ą PERSONAL INJURY
Danville
1. Williams, Morrison, Light & Moreau: If you have been charged with a DUI or DWI, you face serious potential consequences in the criminal courts of Virginia. With an experienced attorney at your side, you can fight the charges you face and keep your license. Regardless of your prior criminal record, a first-offense DUI in Virginia could mean a penalty of up to $2,500 in fines, twelve months in jail, and a year's loss of license. If you had a blood alcohol level above .15, you face a mandatory five days in jail. Anything above a .20 will result in a mandatory ten days in jail. That is why it is so important to do everything you can to lower the charges you face and minimize the potential consequences.
2. Angela Hamlet: The consequences of a criminal conviction can be devastating for you and your family.
Dillwyn
1. Ayres, Caroline: * Murder, assault, burglaries * Sex crimes such as rape * Traffic violations and DUI * Drug crimes such as possession, sale or trafficking * White-collar crimes such as fraud
Dinwiddie
Dublin
1. Angie Morris: The Sixth Amendment of the U.S. Constitution states that criminal defendants have a right to the assistance of counsel. Courts have interpreted this to mean that criminal defendants have a right to an attorney during all critical stages throughout the criminal process. In addition, before a defendant is permitted to proceed to trial without a lawyer, the challenges and dangers of doing so must be "rigorously conveyed" to the defendant.
Falls Church Falls Church
Fairfax Fairfax
Fincastle
1. Spigle, Roe, Massey & Clay: Elements of Felony DUI/DWI The elements of the criminal offense of driving under the influence (DUI) and driving while intoxicated (DWI) are universal in most jurisdictions. The elements include the following: (1) that the defendant operated or was in physical control of a vehicle upon a roadway; (2) within the court's jurisdiction; and (3) and the operation occurred while the defendant was either under the influence of an intoxicant or narcotic to the extent that his or her normal faculties were impaired or the defendant was driving with a blood alcohol concentration above a prohibited level.
Fredericksburg
Glen Allen
Hampton
Harrisonburg
Herndon
Henrico
1. Hough, Gregory: Clients who are looking to make sure they do not deal with over-zealous prosecutors need an attorney to help them through the DUI/DWI process. This is a difficult and confusing process, and an experienced criminal law attorney can help navigate through the system.
Hillsville
1. McGrady & McGrady: Out-of-state drivers, as well as local commuters, sometimes need a good criminal defense lawyer when they are charged with a DUI / DWI, speeding ticket, or reckless driving in Virginia. On Interstate 77 or other roads, drivers who are stopped may be charged with: * Driving while intoxicated * Driving under the influence * Speeding * Reckless driving * Following too closely * Failure to yield right of way Whether you are driving a car, motorcycle, tractor-trailer, or other type of vehicle, these charges can have a damaging effect on your driverâs license, insurance, and future job situation
2. Jackson & Associates: If you have been charged with a DUI/DWI in Virginia, you need the services of an experienced criminal defense attorney to protect your rights. Not having an experienced attorney can cost you a significant amount of money in court fines and fees and can result in other serious consequences such as loss of driving privileges or incarceration.
King George
1. Richmond Low: If you are facing drunk driving or drug charges, you need an experienced criminal defense lawyer making sure your constitutional rights are protected. I have extensive experience representing people arrested or charged with all types of driving offenses such as drunk driving (DUI / DWI).
King William
1. Jonathan Gatewood: A drunk driving charge is a serious matter. You need a serious attorney to defend you against the charge.
Leesburg
Lexington
1. Hardenbergh, Charles: Latest Cop Busted for DUI: Yakima Washington's Tarin Miller Well folks, it looks like it's happened again. Everybody knows that alcohol is a drug. And when it comes to the distribution of narcotics, no cartel in the world can compare to the United States Government and it's political subdivisions, the states. Billions in revenue are derived by these governments through the sale of alcohol, the most pervasive substance of abuse in the Western World. It's ironic that the states sell this drug, and then expect that people who use their product as intended will make good decisions. Officer Tarin Miller allegedly blew a BAC over 0.16% alcohol, which is more than twice the legal limit! Why do law enforcement officers keep getting arrested for DUI? Don't they get exposure to the constant barrage of warnings against drinking and driving? Don't they hear the alcohol manufacturer's warnings to "drink responsibly"? Wait a minute. How can you drink responsibly? When people drink, their inhibitions and judgment are reduced. Can people abuse recreational substances responsibly? Or is this just a false plea from the dealers who really don't care whether you are responsible, as long as you keep drinking and they keep profiting? The truth is that cops are just like the rest of us. Nobody wants to drive drunk. But the government keeps selling us recreational drugs and allowing the manufacturers to advertise these substances on our airwaves. I hope the allegations are somehow false and Tarin Miller is actually innocent. Perhaps a good DUI lawyer can keep her out of jail. But on the other hand, one has to wonder why the state of Washington allows people to drive cars without ignition interlocks. If nobody could drive drunk, there would be no DUIs, no injuries, no deaths, and tremendous tax savings from the reduced need for police resources. Could it be that the state actually wants continued DUI problems in order to keep selling more alcohol to drivers, to keep employing more police, and to keep getting more DUI fines? Hmmmm.
Louden County
1. Walker Law Firm: If you have been charged with a DUI/DWI, you need an experienced Loudoun DUI lawyer who knows the law, the Leesburg Virginia Court's local rules, and who will fight for you. The punishment can be harsh without an attorney defending you.
Lovingston
1. Berry & Maddox: A person commits the offense of speeding when he or she operates a motor vehicle at a speed that is in excess of the speed that is permitted under state statutes, local ordinances, or highway or traffic regulations.
Lynchburg
Manassas
McLean
Mechanicsville
1. McCaul, Martin, Evans & Cook: Virginia laws for driving under the influence (DUI) are strict and growing ever stricter. A person can be arrested for a DUI for driving under the influence of alcohol, drugs, or both, and may face very serious consequences: * Mandatory jail time * Loss of driving privileges * Fines * Community service * Mandatory drug & alcohol rehabilitation
Midlothian
Newport News
Norfolk
Oakton
1. Mark Nicewicz: Traffic offenses can threaten one of the liberties you hold dear – the ability to drive your car from point A to point B whenever you feel like it. The alternative is waiting for a train, bus, or subway. If you have too many speeding tickets, reckless driving, DWI, and other serious traffic offenses on your record, the alternative may soon become your reality. Law enforcement officers have a duty to comply with a set of procedures in order for a ticket or arrest to be legal. Far too many people are not aware of the technicalities in the law that may lead to a ticket being thrown out or kept off your permanent driving record.
2. Stephen Gold: A ticket for driving under the influence of alcohol can result in loss of driving privileges and even a jail sentence.
Portsmouth
Radford
1. Dalton, John: Family Law; Criminal Defense; Real Estate; Motor Vehicle Accidents and Injuries; Animal Attacks; Automobile Accidents and Injuries; Boating Accidents; Bicycle Accidents; Bodily Injury; Dog Bites; Plaintiffs Personal Injury; Slip and Fall; Assault and Battery; Burglary; Driver's License Suspension; Driving While Intoxicated; DUI/DWI; Expungements; Felonies; Forgery; Hit and Run; Misdemeanors; Parole and Probation; Sex Crimes; Sexual Assault; Shoplifting; Stalking; Theft; Traffic Violations; Weapons Charges; Alimony; Annulment; Divorce; Domestic Relations; Domestic Violence; Equitable Distribution; Marital Agreements; Marital Property Distribution; Marital Property Law; Marital Property Settlements; Name Changes; Paternity; Postnuptial Agreements; Premarital Agreements; Qualified Domestic Relations Orders (QDROs); Restraining Orders; Separation Agreements; Spousal Support; Uncontested Divorce; Adoption Law; Child Support; Father's Rights; Grandparents Custody; Juvenile Criminal Law; Parental Kidnapping; Step Parent Adoptions; Visitation Rights; Incorporation; Limited Liability Company Law; Guardianship and Conservatorship; Advance Directives; Conservatorship; Guardianship; Incompetency Proceedings; Evictions; Landlord and Tenant Law; Lease Terminations; Unlawful Detainer; Adverse Possession; Boundary Disputes; Land Acquisitions; Land Sales; Quiet Title; Real Estate Contracts; Real Estate Settlements; Real Estate Title Examination; Real Estate Title; Right of Way Easements; Wills; Living Wills; Successions; Inheritance; Contested Wills; Powers of Attorney; Religious Institutions; Church Law; Mediation; Embezzlement; White Collar Criminal Defense
Reston
Richmond Richmond
Roanoke
Salem
Silver Spring, MD
1. Marks & Katz: Surprise is a common response my clients have to their first arrest for driving while intoxicated. Sometimes the surprise is because the person is simply not guilty. Often, however, the person did drink over the legal limit, but just did not realize that it does not take much alcohol to make a person culpable of driving while intoxicated.
South Hill
1. Mokris & Dunning: * Adoption Traffic DUI * Contested Divorce * Criminal Law Felonies * Habitual Offender * Juvenile
Spotsylvania
Springfield
Stafford
1. Williams, Anthony: * DUI * Drug crimes (possession, intent to distribute, trafficking, manufacturing) * Violent crimes (assault, murder) * Sexual assault * Robbery, theft, larceny, burglary * Firearms violations * White collar crimes (embezzlement, fraud, Internet crimes) * Traffic crimes (speed, reckless driving, hit and run, drag racing) * Probation violation
2. Robert Hyman: Traffic tickets can result in serious consequences, including the establishment of a criminal record. There are options available, especially for first-time offenders, to help you keep a clean record. It is important for you to work with an experienced criminal defense lawyer, even on misdemeanor charges.
3. George Marzloff: For those convicted of a first offense Driving Under the Influence, Virginia law mandates a one-year loss of driving privileges. In most cases, we can assist you, if convicted, in obtaining a restricted permit to drive to and from work and during work, if necessary.
1. Ives & Associates: ...if you are facing a driving while intoxicated ("DWI") charge, reckless driving charge, or if you have already had your license suspended or revoked, you should seriously consider retaining an attorney to represent you in court. DWI and reckless driving charges can result in your loss of license for a year or more. Since we have become a mobile society, it is very difficult to retain employment if you cannot drive to and from, and during, work hours.
Tidewater
1. Paul Sutton II: A person's privilege to operate a motor vehicle in Virginia will be suspended administratively for ten days upon their arrest for DUI.
Unknown
Vienna
Vinton
1. Jesse Shelor: In addition to the right to counsel during interrogation under the self-incrimination privilege of the Fifth Amendment of the United States Constitution, a person has a right to the assistance of counsel under the Sixth Amendment of the United States Constitution when the person is being interrogated after he or she is formally charged with an offense.
Virginia Beach
Warrenton
Waynesboro
1. Allen & Carweil: Frequently Asked Questions regarding DUIs in Virginia You have been charged with Ňdriving under the influenceÓ in Virginia. Here are a few answers you might find helpful: Do I need to hire an attorney if I am charged with driving under the influence? While every case is unique, you are well-advised to at least consult with experienced legal counsel to determine whether you should be represented at trial. At that meeting, you would ask questions and receive advice on such topics as penalties under current Virginia law, possible defenses available and potential consequences of a conviction. What is the current punishment for DUI, 1st offense, in Virginia? A fine of up to $2,500 plus Court costs; a minimum fine of $250; operatorŐs license suspended for 12 months; mandatory enrollment in ASAP (VirginiaŐs ŇAlcohol Safety Action ProgramÓ); and eligibility for a restricted operatorŐs license on terms and conditions set by the Court. Suppose my blood or breath alcohol (ŇBACÓ) level is less than .08? While there is a rebuttable presumption that someone operating a motor vehicle in Virginia is driving Ňunder the influenceÓ if his or her BAC is .08 or greater, one may nevertheless be convicted under certain circumstances with a BAC that is less than .08. You should consult competent legal counsel for further details. What if I am arrested for DUI for the first time but my BAC is ŇhighÓ (that is, .15 or above)? Under current Virginia law, a conviction of DUI with a ŇhighÓ BAC carries mandatory jail sentences, in addition to all the other penalties discussed above. For instance, if the BAC is .15 to .20, inclusive, the mandatory minimum jail sentence for DUI, 1st offense, is five days and, if the BAC is .21 or higher, the mandatory minimum jail sentence is 10 days. Additionally, if the BAC equals or exceeds .15, the installation of an Ňignition interlock systemÓ (at the defendantŐs expense, of course) for a minimum of six (6) months is mandatory. An ignition interlock system is a device that connects a motor vehicleŐs ignition system to an analyzer that measures a driverŐs blood alcohol content, prevents the vehicle from starting if the driverŐs BAC exceeds 0.025 percent and is able to perform a rolling retest and electronically log the BAC during ignition, attempted ignition and rolling retest.
Williamsburg
1. Randall Stone: What will happen if I have more than one DUI/DWI conviction? What will happen to you depends upon what state you are in. In most jurisdictions, there is a "step-up" method for handling multiple DUI/DWI convictions for the same person. In some states, a person will be required to pay a fine and perhaps serve a minimum term of imprisonment for a first conviction in addition to having their license suspended. For a second offense, some states may increase the fines and imprisonment or term of suspension. Additional offenses may result in revocation of a license, incarceration and the loss of driving privileges for life. In addition, in some states, a judge may order that the offender participate in an alcohol or drug treatment and education program. Of course, if you seriously injure or kill another person while operating under the influence, you may face additional charges and civil lawsuits.
Winchester
1. Solak, Michael: Traffic Law
2. Fowler, Griffin, Coyne, Coyne & Patton: Come July 1, 1999, there is good news and bad news for drivers with Driving Under the Influence (DUI) convictions on their driving records. The good news is that effective July 1, there will be no more habitual offender declarations in Virginia. The bad news is that a third offense DUI will now be a felony.
Wytheville
1. Saliba & Company: 1. What are the major categories of criminal offenses in Virginia? Virginia law classifies offenses into three basic categories: traffic infractions, misdemeanors, and felonies. Traffic offenses involve motor vehicles and licensing (although some traffic infractions constitute misdemeanors and even felonies, such as driving under the influence or vehicular homicide). Generally, a traffic infraction, such as speeding, failing to obey a stop sign, or driving without your license in your possession is punished by imposition of a fine. Misdemeanors carry a range of punishments, ranging from fines as high as $2,500.00 to as long as 12 months in jail. Felony offenses carry penitentiary sentences ranging from 1 year to life, and some offenses carry fines much higher than those imposed in misdemeanor offenses. 2. What happens if I am charged with a crime? Criminal prosecutions can be started in several ways. A police officer may write a traffic summons, or even a summons for a misdemeanor offense, and serve the summons on the accused. The accused must then appear in Court to answer the charge. Another way is that a private individual can obtain a warrant from a magistrate. The warrant is then served by a police officer on the accused party, who must then appear in Court to answer the charge. Finally, a grand jury may return an indictment, which is then served on the accused party by a police officer. The accused party must then appear in Court to answer the charge. 3. What is bond or bail? After the accused party is served with a warrant or an indictment, it is often necessary to post bond to be released from jail pending trial. A bond (or bail) serves two main purposes. It guarantees that the accused will appear when and where required to answer the pending charges, and it guarantees that the accused party will not commit any additional crimes while awaiting trial. Bond can be posted in several ways. The accused can pay a cash bond, which is returned upon the completion of the case (although fines and court costs may be deducted from the bond proceeds), or the accused or someone on the accused party's behalf can post real or other property in the amount of the bond. Generally speaking, a party cannot post his or her own real property (land) for bond. If real estate is used to secure a bond, the owner must present a certified copy of the deed to the land, and a copy of the tax ticket value. Often, all record owners of the real estate must appear before the clerk or magistrate when posting real estate for an accused party's bond. If a person on bond fails to appear for Court, or commits more crimes while on bond, the Court can revoke and forfeit the bond for those actions, in addition to imposing penalties for the crime itself. 4. What are Miranda warnings and what if I don't receive them? Most people have heard the Miranda warnings on television shows. They are warnings the police must give people in limited circumstances. To be entitled to Miranda warnings, an accused: 1) must be under arrest; and 2) must be subject to questioning by the police. Basically, the Miranda warnings advise of Constitutional rights. You have the right to remain silent - this is the Fifth Amendment privilege against self-incrimination. You have a right to an attorney - this is the Sixth Amendment right to counsel. 5. What is a preliminary hearing? The preliminary hearing is a court proceeding to determine whether there is sufficient cause to charge a person who has been arrested on a felony charge. The hearing is only required where the accused is arrested before indictment. After the hearing, the felony charge is either certified to the Circuit Court for reference to a grand jury, reduced to a misdemeanor and tried by the District Court, or dismissed. 6. What is an indictment? An indictment is a written formal charge of a crime against the accused that is prepared by the commonwealth's attorney. It is returned a "true bill" upon the oath or affirmation of a legally impaneled grand jury. 7. What is an arraignment? This is the court proceeding held in which the accused is identified as the person charged, the charges are read in full, and an inquiry is made into how the accused pleads to the charges. 8. What are the consequences of a guilty plea? A defendant who pleads guilty is tried and sentenced by the judge, not a jury. By pleading guilty to an indictment, the defendant is confessing to the highest degree of the offense that the indictment charges. In addition to other rights waived, a guilty plea operates to waive the privilege against self-incrimination, the right to trial by jury, and the right to confront one's accusers. 9. What is a plea bargain? This is a settlement of the charges against the accused reached before trial between the defendant's attorney and the commonwealth's attorney (prosecutor) whereby the defendant agrees to plead guilty to the original charge or to a lesser-included offense and the commonwealth's attorney agrees to recommend to the Court that certain concessions be made, such as probation, suspended sentence, or concurrent sentences.
Yorktown
1. Beavers, Kristina: Did you know that you can serve jail time in Virginia for a traffic violation? Reckless Driving is a VERY serious matter, and you want to have the best representation you can get. Reckless Driving in Virginia is more than a glorified speeding ticket. It is a class 1 misdemeanor that can result in up to 12 months in jail and a fine of $2500! That's right! Reckless Driving in Virginia is a CRIME that will remain on your record FOREVER. You should consider this before you decide to go to court without representation.
Woodbridge

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