Driving Under the Influence Has Serious Consequences

Driving under the influence of alcohol can have serious repercussions. This crime, also known as DUI for short, can have an impact on someone for the rest of their life. One state that takes the act of drunk driving very seriously is Virginia. To combat DUI in the state, Virginia law makers have passed a number of specific laws. Being educated on these laws is very important for anyone facing these charges in the state.

It is also important to have a criminal attorney represent you in court so you can avoid the worst of these penalties. Virginia drunk driving laws have very stiff penalties for first time offenders that get incrementally worse the more times a driver is arrested for the crime.

On the very first drunk driving conviction, a driver could spend a number of days in prison. If there was a minor in the vehicle, the driver will spend a minimum of five days in jail. This is also the case for drivers who are found to have a blood alcohol level of between fifteen and twenty percent. If the blood alcohol level is found to be over twenty percent, that driver will face a minimum of twenty days in jail.

The first conviction will also include a hefty fine of at least two hundred and fifty dollars. If there was a minor in the vehicle, this fine will be increased by between five hundred to one thousand dollars. Other penalties include a one year license suspension and enrollment in a drunk driving educational program. Also required will be having a device installed in the vehicle that forces a person to take a breathalyzer test before the car’s engine can be started.

A second drunk driving conviction can result in even more serious penalties. If the second conviction occurred less than five years since the previous conviction, time spent in prison could last from twenty days to one year. If the conviction occurred after five years, the time in jail could last from ten days to one month.

The license suspension for a second time drunk driver will last a whopping three years. The minimum level fine will be five hundred dollars. However, an additional five hundred to one thousand dollars can be added if a minor was inside the vehicle.

Sanctions against third time offenders are even worse. If the conviction was within five years of the previous drunk driving charge, that driver will have to spend a minimum of six months in prison. If it was within ten years, the minimum sentence will be ninety days in prison.

The minimum fine leveled against a third time offender will be for one thousand dollars. The driver’s license will also be suspended indefinitely. The person can petition the court for the ability to reapply for a new license, but he or she will have to wait five years after the conviction. If the driver ever receives another driver’s license, a breathalyzer ignition device will have to be installed in his or her car.

Since the penalties against drunk drivers are rather stiff in Virginia, you should contact a lawyer or a criminal lawyer with experience in DUI law right away if you face charges of drunk driving in this state.

Fort Myers Criminal Attorney

Whenever you are on the hook for an offense, whether a major or minor offense, you should make sure that you are adequately represented. As the number of arrests increases in Fort Myers and the recent crackdown on crime continues you need to make sure that you are not caught up by an overzealous justice system. A few simple guidelines could help you decide which a criminal lawyer may be the best to stand between you and some life-changing circumstances.

Though the government will provide an attorney if you cannot afford one, going with a public defender leaves you lacking the power of choice for your attorney, and may not reserve the most skilled attorney for you. It may be worth looking at some of the private Fort Myers criminal lawyers available. Just be sure to check on the lawyer’s level of education and level of experience. You cannot underestimate the importance have having a knowledgeable and skilled lawyer by your side.

The next important thing to look for is the price. Most lawyers will charge about $5,000 to $10,000 to defend you from minor charges, and upwards of $25,000 for more serious and involved cases. It is also important to bear in mind that the price will go up if the case goes to court.

The more of the lawyer’s time is used and the more expert witnesses are necessary the more money will be needed to keep the cogs moving. It is not unusual for people facing charges to resort to undesirable loans, or even pleading guilty rather than pay for the astronomical charges.

It might also help you to seek a Fort Myers criminal lawyer who has been in the area for a decent amount of time. A law professional who has recently moved may not be as familiar with the local laws or law practices as someone who just came from Atlanta or New York. Especially when facing a felony charge you should seek out a lawyer who has been licensed to practice in Florida for a number of years.

Also, you may want to get referrals from people you trust who are familiar with law practice. Whether you seek advice from a friend or relative who was dutifully represented by a professional attorney, or you go to an agency that specializes in rating and referring attorneys it always helps to find outside advice before committing to a law professional. There are lots of Fort Myers criminal attorneys, and it could prove daunting trying to sort them all out yourself.

If you have the time, it may also suit you to sit through a criminal court case and witness first hand a trial attorney at work. The type of person that trusts their own judgment better than the discernment of others might prefer this approach. It is of course important to be confident in your attorney’s abilities, and seeing their semantic and organizational prowess might help put you at ease. You can never be too careful when choosing the person whose professionalism controls your fate.