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Fairfax DUI Lawyers

1. Courtnall, Kyle: * Bond hearings * Arraignments * Reckless Driving * DUI/DWI * Driving on Suspended License * Speeding Tickets * Eluding * Fail to Yield/Accident Cases * Petty Larceny/Shoplifting * Assault and Battery * Domestic Assault * Felony Assault * Possession of Marijuana/Drug Paraphernalia * Possession of Cocaine/other drugs * Possession with Intent to Distribute Drugs * Sexual Assault * Juvenile offenses * Trespassing * Bad Checks * Forgery * Embezzlement * Grand Larceny
2. Allred, Bacon, Halfhill & Young: DUI, Assault & Battery, Possession/Distribution of Illegal Substances, or any other crime
3. Taylor, Gretchen: * DUI/DWI * Reckless Driving * Speeding * Driving on a Suspended License * Driving without a License * Hit and Run
4. Lopez, Dan: Protect your rights: Reduce charges and DUI penalties When charged with DUI, you may face severe penalties, including fines, jail, license suspension and vehicle forfeiture. It is vital that you have an experienced DUI defense attorney to aggressively and confidently defend your rights. DUI penalties and sentencing * A first time offense may result in a mandatory 12 month suspension of your drivers' license. In some cases, the first time offense of drunk driving may carry a mandatory minimum jail sentence of 5 to 10 days depending on the level of alcohol detected in the breath or blood tests. * If you are convicted of a second offense, the penalties become more severe and will include a 3 year suspension of your driver's license and mandatory minimum jail sentences. * Those convicted of a third or fourth offense are charged with a felony, which carries maximum of 5 years in prison.
5. Boone Beale: Virginia DUI Laws The east coast state of Virginia while beautiful to visit and even better to live in also the place where DUI laws are tough! As a driver in Virginia, youÕre probably blissfully unaware that a DUI charge actually involves two separate cases. The first (and probably more obvious) is the case in criminal court. Here, drivers face actions such as jail time, community service, fines and more. But in addition to the criminal case, drivers will also be involved in a civil case with the stateÕs department of motor vehicles. The state will immediately suspend your license for seven days, which can result in an up to 1-year driverÕs license suspension depending on their ruling. Remember, this penalty is separate from the criminal case. For a first-offense DUI in Virginia, the court will take your license away for 1 year upon conviction. How can I be charged with DUI in Virginia? One way, is by the police observing poor driving habits or your failure of field sobriety testing. However, you can also be charged with a DUI by simply having a blood alcohol content higher than the stateÕs legal limit of .08%. This is known as the Òper seÓ law, which states that you donÕt necessarily have to be intoxicated to be charged with a DUI. The prosecution cannot prove violation of Òper seÓ law without your blood, breath or urine test results. In Virginia, if you are convicted of DUI, this is considered a Class 1 misdemeanor. While you do not have to submit to chemical testing if requested by police, you should know that refusal carries harsh punishments due to the stateÕs Implied Consent law. When you received your driverÕs license you were impliedly consenting to submit to chemical testing if police believe you are drinking and driving. Like many other states, Virginia has enhanced penalty laws for those driving with a blood alcohol content much higher than .08%. In Virginia, the enhanced penalty BAC level is .20%. YouÕll likely face harsher penalties with a BAC of this level or higher. Anyone under the age of 21 cannot have a BAC of .02%; this is a violation of the Zero Tolerance law. Upon receiving a Virginia DUI conviction, you can face the installation of ignition interlock device being installed in your car at your expense. Your vehicle can also be confiscated and you must enroll in alcohol education and alcohol treatment courses. A DUI in Virginia can result in severe penalties! Contact a qualified DUI attorney today to defend your rights.
6. Lowder, Patrick: When considering whether to work with an attorney to handle your DUI/DWI charges in Virginia, it is important to keep Virginia's harsh drunk driving penalties in mind. A DUI/DWI conviction in Virginia carries: * A mandatory one-year loss of driver's license * Mandatory attendance in Virginia's Alcohol Safety Action Program (ASAP) * A $2,500 fine * A possible five days in jail
7. Sprano, Michael: It is important to realize that a conviction can have a serious impact on your life. You have the right to enlist an experienced attorney to defend you against these charges. You have the right to enlist an attorney who will provide you with the individual attention you deserve, an attorney who will work hard to achieve your goals. * 100% Criminal & Traffic Defense * Felonies and Misdemeanors * Northern Virginia and Federal Courts * Violent Crimes o Murder o Malicious Wounding / Aggravated Assault o Robbery o Carjacking o Use of a Firearm / Gun Crimes o Gang Crimes o Abduction / Kidnapping * Sex Crimes o Rape / Sexual Assault o Aggravated Sexual Battery o Indecent Liberties o Statutory Rape / Unlawful Carnal Knowledge o Internet Solicition and other Internet Sex Crimes o Indecent Exposure * Drug Crimes o Possession, Distribution, Manufacturing and Possession with Intent to Distribute Drugs o Conspiracy to Distribute and other Federal Drug Crimes o Cocaine, Crack, Heroin, Ecstacy / Ecstasy / Extasy, Cystal Meth, Marijuana * Theft Crimes o Grand Larceny & Petit Larceny o Shoplifting o Auto Theft / Vehicle Tampering o Burglary / Breaking & Entering o Burglarious Tools * DUI / Traffic o DUI - Driving Under The Influence and DWI - Driving While Intoxicated o Reckless Driving / Speeding o Hit & Run o Passing a School Bus o Failure to Yield to Emergency Vehicle ("Move Over" law) * General Misdemeanors o Trespassing o Disorderly Conduct o Drunk in Public o Underage Possession o Phone Threats o Stalking * Juvenile Criminal Defense
8. Brisendine, Overand, Buster & Bernstein: Have you been arrested for DWI / DUI in Richmond, Virginia? Drunk driving charges are serious, and a conviction may result in a number of serious penalties. It is essential to contact a DUI defense lawyer as soon as possible. When you are arrested for drunk driving, you have the right to remain silent. You do not have to answer questions about how much you have had to drink, where you were going, etc. In fact, by exercising your right to remain silent and your right to an attorney, you can positively affect the outcome of your Richmond DWI case. When building a defense strategy for a client who is facing DWI or DUI charges, a defense attorney will need to review all aspects of the particular case: the initial police stop, field sobriety testing, the arrest and any chemical testing that was conducted. A mistake, constitutional rights infringement or intentional wrongdoing at any point in the Richmond DUI process can give a criminal defense attorney the opening he or she needs to build an effective defense strategy. For example, if a breath test was administered, but it is found that the breath test machine was not calibrated as per regulations, a DWI defense lawyer may be able to use this to have that evidence suppressed from court proceedings. There are a number of other defenses that a skilled lawyer may be able to use.
9. Sanders & Kissler: Many drivers in the US are arrested under suspicion of driving under the influence of alcohol or illegal drugs every day. The negative consequences of drunk driving have recently increased, largely in response to public outcry and the influence of groups like Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD). If you find yourself arrested for illegal drunk driving, an attorney with experience defending drunk-driving cases can help protect your rights.
10. Guss, Stephen: If you have been accused of a criminal offense or have been arrested, your constitutionally liberty interests are at stake. You will want an experienced criminal defense attorney to protect those rights for you. We have experience defending the rights of people arrested and accused of a variety of criminal offenses including:drunk driving, traffic offenses and drug possessions. If you are arrested for a criminal offense, you have the right to an attorney. We are experienced criminal defense attorneys and have the experience necessary to deal with arraignments, discovery, and preliminary hearings, as well as the actual trial. We can also plea bargain for you if we deem that is in your best interests. You need an attorney who will be straightforward with you and aggressively defend your rights.
11. McGennis Williams: DUI offenses, although common throughout Virginia, are actually serious criminal offenses that can result in a number of harsh penalties. An experienced DUI defense attorney can and will make a big difference for a defendant, even if he/she is facing serious felony DUI charges or charges involving DUI manslaughter or a DUI auto accident. Drunk Driving Charges & Penalties in Prince William and Fairfax Counties, Virginia Operating a motor vehicle while under the influence of alcohol and/or drugs or with a blood alcohol concentration of .08% is a crime. In Virginia, a conviction for this offense can result in many penalties, including: Penalties for a First DUI Offense in Virginia * Fines of $300 to $2500 * Maximum jail sentence of 1 year * (Unsupervised probation may be granted in lieu of part or all jail time, depending upon the defendantÕs blood alcohol concentration) * DriverÕs license suspension for 1 year * Probation * Community service * Enrollment in and completion of the Virginia Alcohol Safety Action Program (VASAP), which costs $300
12. Min, Su Yong: The Virginia legislature passed House Bill 3202 (Chapter 896) in 2007, designed to provide transportation funds by assessing additional civil fines for various traffic and criminal traffic-related charges. These ÒCivil Remedial FeesÓ are assessed against Virginia residents convicted of certain motor vehicle-related or driving offenses. These fees are in addition to any fines and court costs that the defendant must pay following a conviction, and can pose onerous financial burden on those so convicted. For example, a person convicted of Driving on a Suspended License must pay the traffic fine and court costs, in addition to Civil Remedial Fees totaling $750.00. A person convicted of Reckless Driving must pay the traffic fine and court costs, in addition to Civil Remedial Fees totaling $1,050.00. DUI defendant must similarly pay the criminal fine and court costs, in addition to $2,250.00 in Civil Remedies Fees. The constitutionality of this new law remains undecided, and may be challenged soon.
13. Yeargan, Wilfred: It is important to retain competent counsel early in the criminal trial process, especially in felony cases. Mr. Yeargan encourages prospective clients to contact him early before trial in misdemeanor cases and before the preliminary hearing in felony cases. Defense of Driving Under the Influence of Alcohol Cases In the Commonwealth of Virginia, a first offense of Driving Under the Influence (DUI) is a Class One Misdemeanor, punishable by up to 12 months in jail and/or a fine of up to $2,500.00. A conviction for DUI under ¤18.2-266 of the Virginia Code results in a statutory 12 month loss of license and mandatory enrollment in the Alcohol Safety Action Program. If eligible, a Defendant may receive a restricted license to drive to work, school, child care and medical appointments. DUI is a serious criminal offense and stays on a Virginia driving record for eleven (11) years. The DMV assesses six points as a demerit deduction for this conviction. DUI convictions may impact insurance rates, employment opportunities, and applications for security clearances. The legal limit for adult drivers in the Commonwealth of Virginia is 0.08 percent blood alcohol concentration. The concentration of blood alcohol is usually measured by police with a breath test machine called the Intox EC/IR II, made by Intoximeters, Inc., a company located in St. Louis, MO. These machines are relatively new and replaced the older Intoxilyzer 5000 machines used for years in the Commonwealth. Test results from the Intox EC/IR II may be introduced into evidence at the trial of a DUI. If the test results indicate a blood alcohol concentration of 0.08 percent or more of alcohol, there arises a rebuttable presumption that the defendant was under the influence of alcohol intoxicants at the time of the alleged offense. In order for the test results to come into evidence at trial, the person who administered the test must now be present in court as a witness (due to the recent Melendez-Diaz v. Massachusetts decision from the United States Supreme Court). At trial, the presumption of intoxication from test results may be overcome by a defendantÕs driving conduct, performance on field sobriety tests, and behavior at the time of arrest. Generally, the penalties for DUI increase depending on the level of intoxication, the defendantÕs driving record, and behavior at the time of the stop. On a first offense with a blood alcohol concentration of 0.08 to 0.14, a defendant may receive jail time that is all suspended, conditioned on his or her good behavior. Defendants with a blood alcohol concentration of 0.15 to 0.20 receive a mandatory, minimum incarceration of five days. If the blood alcohol level is more than 0.20, the mandatory, minimum period of incarceration is ten days. Penalties increase substantially for those charged with a second, third or fourth offense of DUI. A third conviction for DUI within ten years is a Class 6 felony in the Commonwealth of Virginia under ¤18.2-270 of the Code of Virginia. There are many technical defenses to the charge of DUI. Depending on the facts of the case and your driving record, Attorney Yeargan may be able to negotiate dismissal of the charge or reduction to a lesser offense. Contact Attorney Yeargan today for a free initial consultation. With ten years of trial experience, he can work with you to develop a strategy for successfully defending your case. Defense of Driving on Suspended or Revoked License Cases In the Commonwealth of Virginia, the offense of Driving on a Suspended or Revoked License is a Class One Misdemeanor, punishable by up to 12 months in jail and/or a fine of up to $2,500.00. The offense is charged under ¤46.2-301 of the Virginia Code. Individuals convicted of the charge receive an additional suspension of their privilege to drive in Virginia, for the same time period as the original license suspension. If the time period of the previous license suspension was indefinite, the court may suspend the license for an additional ninety (90) days. Notice of a clientÕs license suspension before the driving offense is an essential element of the Driving on a Suspended or Revoked License charge. Lack of notice of the suspension may be an effective defense to the charge. If the Division of Motor Vehicles or entity that suspended the license did not provide adequate notice of suspension to the driver, the charge may be dismissed or nolle prosequi. A conviction for Driving on Suspended License stays on a Virginia driving record for eleven (11) years. The DMV assesses six points as a demerit deduction for this conviction. Convictions for this charge may impact insurance rates, employment opportunities, and applications for security clearances. It is important that a defendant charged with this criminal offense have an experienced and diligent attorney.
14. Livesay & Meyers: The terms DUI (driving under the influence) and DWI (driving while intoxicated) are used interchangeably in Virginia state courts. First offense DUI, DWI, Reckless Driving, and Driving on a Revoked or Suspended License are Class 1 Misdemeanors, carrying the possibility of up to one year in jail, under Virginia law. The terms DUI (driving under the influence) and DWI (driving while intoxicated) are used interchangeably in Virginia state courts. First offense DUI, DWI, Reckless Driving, and Driving on a Revoked or Suspended License are Class 1 Misdemeanors, carrying the possibility of up to one year in jail, under Virginia law. Maximum Punishments The maximum punishments for DUI, DWI, Reckless Driving, and Driving on a Revoked or Suspended License, under Virginia state law are as follows: * DUI, DWI: o First Offense: + Class 1 Misdemeanor: # up to one year in jail (mandatory jail periods if BAC 0.15 or above), and/or # up to $2,500 fine imposed by the Court, and/or # up to one year loss of license (Virginia license holders) or up to one year loss of right to drive in Virginia (non-Virginia license holders), and # mandatory Alcohol Safety Action Program (ASAP). o Second or Subsequent Offenses: consult with an attorney. * Reckless Driving: o First Offense: + Class 1 Misdemeanor, # up to one year in jail, # up to $2,500 fine imposed by the Court, and/or # up to six month loss of license (Virginia license holders) or up to six month loss of right to drive in Virginia (non-Virginia license holders). o Second or Subsequent Offenses: consult with an attorney. * Driving on a Revoked or Suspended License: o First or Second Offense: + Class 1 Misdemeanor # up to one year in jail, and/or # up to $2,500 fine imposed by the Court, and/or # license suspension for the same period for which it had been previously suspended or revoked (or up to 90 days if the suspension or revokation was indefinite) o Third or Subsequent Offenses: + Class 1 Misdemeanor with minimum, mandatory jail time of 10 days (cannot be suspended by the Judge). In addition to these punishments, conviction on DUI, DWI, Reckless Driving, or Driving on a Revoked or Suspended License charges could impact one's career, security clearance and insurance costs. The stakes are too high in these cases for you not to be represented by experienced and knowledgeable Virginia attorneys.
15. Dearborn, Robert: Even a first offense with low blood alcohol content (BAC) may be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law. You want an experienced and knowledgeable DUI/DWI lawyer on your side so you can fight for a fair disposition of the case. Serious Civil and Criminal Penalties In Virginia a driving under the influence or driving while intoxicated (DUI/DWI) conviction entails both criminal and civil penalties, which can include: * Loss or suspension of license for up to three years * Large fines up to $2,500 * Mandatory substance-abuse treatment * Mandatory jail time * Restitution * A criminal record In addition, a DUI/DWI conviction Ñ the Commonwealth's declaration that one is a "drunk driver" Ñ may carry long-lasting effects on your career or a social stigma. Various Names The offense of "drunk driving" may be known by many names, including but not limited to: * Driving under the influence (DUI) * Driving while intoxicated (DWI) * Operating under the influence (OUI) * Operating while intoxicated (OWI) * Driving under the influence of intoxicants (DUII) * Driving while under the influence (DWUI) Similar Requirements Although it may be known by many names, most states have similar requirements that must be proven in order to convict, including: * Control Ñ "Driving" or "operating" implies that the alleged offender must have been in control of the vehicle. What is considered "control" over the vehicle may vary according to the state and the particular circumstances, including whether the defendant was in the driver's seat, awake, in possession of the keys, whether the vehicle was running or out of gas, or other considerations. * Vehicle Ñ In some cases, operation extends beyond cars, trucks, motorcycles and vans. You may wish to meet with attorney Dearborn to discuss whether motorboats, mopeds, snowmobiles, electric wheelchairs, golf carts or all-terrain vehicles (ATVs) are included in the offense definition. * Intoxication Ñ Police gather evidence of intoxication using field-sobriety tests (FSTs), including finger-to-nose, one-legged stand, walk-and-turn, horizontal-gaze-nastagmus, counting backward or reciting the alphabet tests. In addition, scientific tests, including the Breathalyzer¨, may be administered. In every state, a person with a blood-alcohol concentration (BAC) of .08 or higher is considered legally intoxicated. If you've been stopped for, arrested for or charged with drunk driving, it is in your best interest to discuss your options and rights as soon as possible with an experienced criminal-defense attorney. DUI/DWI laws are complex and the guidance of a skilled and knowledgeable lawyer can put your mind at ease that your case is being handled competently and your rights are being aggressively defended.
16. Gordon Law Firm:
17. Jones, David: If you have faced a DUI/DWI charge in Northern Virginia, you know how difficult it can be to talk your way out of a steep fine, a jail sentence or a license suspension. The state has always been serious about prosecuting DUI offenses in its jurisdiction and, recently, it has only gotten tougher.
18. Nolan, Scott: DUI, or Driving Under the Influence, is an offense set forth in Section 18.2-266 of the Virginia Code, which states that it is unlawful for any person to drive or operate any motor vehicle, "[w]hile such person has a blood alcohol concentration of .08% or more . . . . or while such person is under the influence of alcohol, or such person is under the influence of any narcotic drug or any other self administered intoxicant." There are two basic ways a prosecutor may attempt to prove that a defendant is intoxicated. The first is for the prosecutor to show that the defendantÕs blood alcohol level was 0.08% or more at the time of driving. This is usually done by a breath test, or sometimes a blood test. This is the easiest method for a prosecutor because he or she need prove nothing else. The second method is to demonstrate that the defendant was driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs. In order to do this, the prosecutor will attempt to use the results of field sobriety tests and the defendantÕs driving behavior. What is the difference between DUI and DWI? In Virginia, there is no ÒDWIÓ offense. ÒDWIÓ stands for ÒDriving While IntoxicatedÓ and in some states is a separate and more serious offense than DUI. However, it is still common to hear the name ÒDWIÓ when the speaker means ÒDUIÓ. It is even quite common for the officer to write ÒDWIÓ on the warrant or summons. This clerical error does not change your rights, for good or ill. What is the punishment for DUI? The maximum punishment for a first or second DUI is one year in jail, a $2500 fine and the loss of driving privileges for one year, but such punishment is very rare. A normal first-time DUI case where the blood-alcohol level is below .12% often results in a suspended jail sentence (meaning that the defendant doesnÕt actually serve jail time if they remain of good behavior), a fine of $300-$500, and the loss of driving privileges. A person convicted of DUI will also be sentenced to enter the Virginia Alcohol Safety Action Program (VASAP), a drunk-driving prevention program. Persons who lose their driving privileges under this statute are normally allowed to retain a restricted driverÕs license that permits them to drive to work, school and daycare. Perhaps the most serious result of a first-time DUI conviction is the effect it almost certainly will have on your insurance. Most insurance companies will move you into a very expensive Òhigh-riskÓ category, or simply raise your rates. Insurance rates can often increase by 300-500% after a DUI conviction. Second and subsequent DUI convictions carry enhanced punishments, as do first-time convictions with a particularly high blood-alcohol level. Was I required to perform Field Sobriety Tests? Absolutely not. The officer ÒoffersÓ you these tests partly in order to develop evidence against you. You have no legal duty to provide the officer with any such evidence. Whether the test is balancing on one leg, saying the alphabet, counting backwards, the 9-step walk-and-turn or following the officerÕs pen with your eyes, all these tests are voluntary! You need not perform them and your refusal to do so may not be used against you. The same applies to the preliminary breath test often offered in the field (at the scene of the traffic stop). You have absolutely no legal duty to comply with the officerÕs request that you blow into this portable machine. However, there is one test that you are required by law to perform. If you are arrested and taken back to the police station, the officer will require you to blow into a machine there. Virginia uses a machine called the Intoxilyzer 5000. It is a violation of law to refuse this test. If you unreasonably refuse to take this test, you will probably lose your driving privileges for a full year, without the benefit of a restricted license. If you have previously been convicted of refusal or DUI within the last ten (10) years, you will lose your license for a full three years and possibly face up to six months in jail (or a full year on a third conviction). It is very important to remember that an officer does have the authority to require you to exit your vehicle if you are lawfully stopped. Once you are out of the vehicle, however, you are not required to perform any tests or tell the officer whether you have been drinking. What is an Interlock Device? An interlock device is a machine that uses a breath analysis mechanism to make the car inoperable if ethyl alcohol is detected in the breath of the driver. If a person has been convicted of a second or subsequent offense relating to the operating of a motor vehicle while under the influence of alcohol committed within five years, the court must order the defendant to have an interlock device installed on each motor vehicle owned or operated by the defendant. Will a DUI arrest show on my record? If you are arrested for DUI, that arrest will show up on your criminal record. If you are convicted for DUI, the conviction and preceding arrest will be on your record for the rest of your life. However, if you are not convicted for the DUI the arrest can be expunged from your record if certain requirements are met. Can I be charged with DUI if I wasnÕt drinking alcohol, but did take prescription Medication? Yes, if the medication is capable of causing impairment. Often, the police will assume impairment is caused by a medication if you admit to taking anything. Officers are not trained in which medications or even illegal drugs can cause impairment. Common prescription medications that can cause impairment include: Xanax, Valium, Hydrocodone/ Vicoden, Soma, and Codeine.
19. Gross & Romanick: CASE RESULTS DEPEND UPON A VARIETY OF FACTORS UNIQUE TO EACH CASE.
20. Davis, Michael: If requested by a defendant, a trial court is required to instruct a jury on any defense theories that are raised by the evidence. The defendant may raise those theories by his or her testimony alone. Also, the defendant is entitled to jury instructions on his or her affirmative defenses. The defendant's affirmative defenses do not need to be strong or to be uncontradicted in order for the defendant to be entitled to jury instructions on his or her affirmative defenses. The trial court is required to instruct the jury on the defendant's affirmative defenses, even if the trial court does not find that the affirmative defenses are credible or believable.
21. Christopher Finch: Drunk-driving laws are tough and getting tougher all the time. You will face mandatory jail time for a second offense. If you blow more than a .15, you are facing jail time for a first offense. A drunk-driving conviction will change your life. Your driver's license will be suspended. You could have difficulties with workÑeven lose your job, if you are a professional driver. When you get your driver's license back, your insurance will be higher. DonÕt Plead Guilty without Consulting an Attorney Too many people think there is nothing they can do if they ÒfailedÓ the field test or blew a breath-alcohol level that was over the legal limit. That may not be true. Was the equipment properly calibrated? Was the police stop legal? Will the police officer actually show up at the hearing to testify against you? Could your charge be knocked down to reckless driving? A defense lawyer can check this out for you. If you could save thousands in increased insurance payments and long-term hassle from a drunk-driving conviction, isnÕt it worth it to talk to a lawyer today?
22. Kearney, Freeman, Fogarty & Joshi: Mandatory jail time on 1st offense if over .15 blood-alcohol content (BAC) and for every subsequent offense Loss of driver's license for a minimum of one year on a first offense Felony criminal charges beginning with the 3rd offense Expensive ignition interlock devices being installed in your car Civil and criminal penalties for breath test refusal
23. Alex Gordon: Whether this is your first offense or a DUI felony charge, you should know that if you are convicted of DUI, you risk a suspension of your driver's license, higher insurance rates, fines, court costs, and/or up to a year in jail or 5 years in prison. A skilled and experienced attorney can help steer you through the court process and attempt to avoid the serious consequences of a DUI conviction in Virginia. DUI law in Virginia is very complex. Almost every year the Virginia General Assembly passes or amends the law in order to increase the punishment for people who are convicted of operating the a motor vehicle under the influence of alcohol or drugs. Today, DUI related laws occupy more than 40 pages of the Virginia Code. In July 2004 and July 2005, the legislature overhauled the law and set even harsher penalties.
24. Stephen L. Duckett: A DUI charge can result in expensive fines, loss of your license, even jail – depending on the circumstances surrounding your arrest and driving record.
25. Wilfred Ward Yeargan III: It is important to retain competent counsel early in the criminal trial process, especially in felony cases.
26. Lawrence, Smith & Gardner: "DWI" stands for Driving While Intoxicated. Arrests occur when someone is operating, or is in actual physical control, of a motor vehicle while under the influence of alcohol or other controlled substances to the extent that their blood alcohol content (BAC) is above the legal limit. Even for a first offense, penalties can include license suspension, substantial fines, community service, mandatory attendance at a state or DMV approved alcohol program, mandatory overnight incarceration and the required installation (at the offender's expense) of a car ignition locking device. A DWI conviction stays on a DMV record for at least 7 years. It typically results in higher insurance premiums and an offender may become ineligible for credit. A DWI could also jeopardize your employment opportunities.
27. David C. Jones Jr.: TRAFFIC/DRUNK DRIVING: Our attornies are seasoned veterans who know how to handle serious traffic matters which could result in jail time or the loss of a client's driving priviledge. We can help protect you if you are charged with DUI/DWI, Driving on Suspended/Revoked License, Reckless Driving, Habitual Offender, or other serious traffic offenses.