Were you charged with a DUI and are wondering can a DUI charge ruin your life? Learn more in this article, then call our Virginia lawyers now!
First Time DWI Offense
If you’ve been charged with a DUI or DWI in Virginia, you want to make sure that you contact an experience DUI or DWI attorney right away. The main reason being is because even if it’s your first offense, you are still going to be facing extreme consequences. A DUI or DWI is a class one misdemeanor. That means that it carries up to a year in jail, a $2,500 fine, as well as a 12-month loss of your license and a permanent criminal record. There are other punishments that go along with this such as increased insurance rates. You would have a DUI in your record for the rest of your life. It could affect your employment. The list goes on and on. You want to make sure that you have someone on your side who can help minimize those consequences.
Now, a lot of people ask, “Am I going to go to jail for a first offense DUI?” That question depends on the facts and circumstances but there are actually circumstances where there’s mandatory jail time if you are found guilty of a DUI. If it’s a second offense or if your blood alcohol level is extremely high, you may be facing mandatory jail time. You’re going to want to talk to somebody right away who can help you understand the process, who can help you fight to make sure that you get the result that you deserve.
DWI Conviction Penalties
If you’ve been charged with a DUI or DWI in Virginia, you want to make sure that you contact an experience DUI or DWI attorney right away. The main reason being is because even if it’s your first offense, you are still going to be facing extreme consequences. A DUI or DWI is a class one misdemeanor. That means that it carries up to a year in jail, a $2,500 fine, as well as a 12-month loss of your license and a permanent criminal record. There are other punishments that go along with this such as increased insurance rates. You would have a DUI in your record for the rest of your life. It could affect your employment. The list goes on and on. You want to make sure that you have someone on your side who can help minimize those consequences.
Now, a lot of people ask, “Am I going to go to jail for a first offense DUI?” That question depends on the facts and circumstances but there are actually circumstances where there’s mandatory jail time if you are found guilty of a DUI. If it’s a second offense or if your blood alcohol level is extremely high, you may be facing mandatory jail time. You’re going to want to talk to somebody right away who can help you understand the process, who can help you fight to make sure that you get the result that you deserve.
Your License After a DWI
A common question that we get when a person picks up a DUI or DWI charge is what’s going to happen to their license. A lot of people don’t realize prior to getting arrested that actually, when you get arrested, they suspend your license in Virginia right away for a period of time, depending on how many priors you have. If it’s your first offense, they’ll suspend your license for seven days right away before your case is even heard. If it’s a second offense, they’ll suspend it for 60 days before your case is even heard. If it’s a third or more offense, they’ll suspend it indefinitely. If you’re found guilty, there are additional license suspensions that can be imposed. Up to a year for a first offense, up to three years for a second offense, and indefinitely for a third or subsequent offense. If you want to have your best chance at keeping your license in your pocket, then you’re going to want to make sure that you contact an experienced DUI or DWI lawyer as soon as possible to help you navigate through the whole process.
Sometimes clients call and tell us they were injured in an accident due to somebody else’s fault; either they forgot, they were in a hurry, or some people are just opposed to it still. What we tell those clients is you are able to receive compensation for injuries sustained in that car accident as long as the seat belt would not have prevented them. For example, if you’re struck from the side and you break your arm against the door, you have a valid claim for that injury. If, however, by wearing a seat belt you would not have struck your head on the steering wheel, for example, then you are not protected. It’s called the seat belt defense. What would happen is, although we would claim all of the injuries that were caused by the accident, the defendants are allowed to assert as a defense that because you weren’t wearing a seat belt those injuries should be either precluded or diminished because of your failure to wear that device.
Going to Jail for a DWI
One of the most common question that we get in relation to DUI and DWI law is, “Am I going to jail?” The answer is it depends. Is it possible to go to jail for a DUI or DWI offense? Yes, and depending on the level of offense will determine what the maximum penalties could be. For a first offense, it carries up to a year in jail. For a second offense, it also carries up to a year in jail. However, there is mandatory jail time. For a third offense, it becomes a felony and there’s increase jail that goes along with that as well. Not to mention the fact that he more offenses that you have and the more serious the DUI, the more likely there is to be mandatory jail time. In order to help minimize the jail time or eliminate it completely, you’re going to want to make sure that you reach out to an experience DUI or DWI lawyer who can help you protect your rights and help you protect your freedoms.
Do you or your loved one have questions like can a DUI charge ruin your life? Contact our experienced Virginia DWI lawyers today for a free consultation and case evaluation.
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