DUI / DRUNK DRIVING
If you have been charged with DUI,
whether in Leesburg, Fairfax, Manassas
or any other Virginia jurisdiction it is
imperative that you hire a lawyer
with the experience, knowledge and ability to successfully defend your
DUI in Court.
WHAT
IS
DUI?
In
Leesburg, Fairfax, Manassas or any other jurisdiction in Virginia, DUI
can take many forms. However, the most common type
of DUI charged in Virginia is a violation of Virginia Code Section
18.2-266 as it relates to alcohol.
Virginia Code Section 18.2-266(DUI)
Code
Section 18.2-266 sets out .08 as the "legal limit" in Virginia for DUI
cases, it states in part:
“It
shall be unlawful for any person to drive or operate any motor vehicle,
engine or train (i) while such person has a blood alcohol concentration
of
0.08 percent or more by weight by volume or 0.08 grams or more per 210
liters
of breath as indicated by a chemical test"
In
addition to the language listed
above, Virginia Code Section 18.2-266 (DUI) also criminalizes Driving
Under the Influence of Drugs (DUID).
WHAT IS THE PUNISHMENT FOR DUI?
Upon convition
for
a
first
DUI,
defendants
are
exposed
to
numerous
potential
punishments
including:
- Incarceration
in
Jail
for
Up
to
12
Months
- Criminal
Record
(DUI
Conviction)
- A Fine
of up to $2500.00
- Supervised
Probation
- Loss
of Driving Privileges for up to 12 months
- Ignition
Interlock
- ASAP
DUI PUNISHMENT AND YOUR B.A.C. (Blood Alcohol Content)
In
Leesburg and across Virginia, there are enhanced mandatory minimum
punishments for persons convicted of DUI with an elevated B.A.C (Blood
Alcohol Content). These include a mandatory term of incarceration of 5
days in jail for a DUI conviction where
the B.A.C. level is
between .15 and .20 and a mandatory term of incarceration of 10 days in
jail for a DUI conviction where the B.A.C. level is above .20.
In
addition to the DUI punishments listed above, persons convicted of a
second
or subsequent DUI face enhanced punishment which can include additional
loss of license, additional jailtime and other court
requirements.
Persons charged with third or subsequent DUI can be
convicted of a felony depending on the circumstances. A felony DUI
conviction can lead to long term incarceration and permanent revocation
of your right to drive in Virginia.
DUI DEFENSE REQUIRES KNOWLEDGE AND EXPERIENCE
In Leesburg, and across the state of
Virginia, effective DUI defense is complicated and requires a strong
understanding of both the science and the law that exists at the core
of every DUI case. Each case is unique and each case has its potential
defenses and potential weaknesses. Having a skilled DUI Lawyer
represent you can have a significant impact on your case.
Leesburg
DUI Lawyer Thomas
Rock has represented hundreds of clients charged with Driving Under the
Influence (DUI) across the state of Virginia.
If you are charged with DUI in Leesburg or any other jurisdiction in
Virginia, Mr. Rock
will work to provide you with the defense you deserve. Call him today
at (703) 777-1141 to set up a free consultation.
Attorney
Thomas Rock represents
clients in jurisdictions across Northern Virginia including: Loudoun
County, Leesburg, Fairfax, Herndon, Prince William County, Clarke
County, Arlington County, City of Alexandria and the City of Falls
Church
