A charge for DUI in Virginia has serious consequences and penalties. This way, nobody knows what the investigation can lead to once you get arrested for DUI in Virginia. The procedure is so harsh that depending on the blood alcohol levels, a judge can convict you. In addition to this, if the BAC limit is high than usual, a conviction could be a mandatory as well. This is why it is critical to contact a DUI attorney immediately when you face a charge. Such cases have severe consequences and to save yourself from conviction, it is important to have the support of an experienced lawyer.
In the state of Virginia, drunk driving is referred as driving under the influence (DUI). The DUI is measured by the blood alcohol concentration (BAC) and the limits are typically based on age group and license type of an individual.
However, alcohol-related crimes are not the only one that is classified as DUI charges. In case you are caught and arrested for driving under the influence of a substance, you will face a DUI charge. As consequences, you risk your license, freedom, and money.
These include:
- Carrying an open container in the passenger seat of the vehicle
- Purchasing alcohol for an underage individual
- Possession of alcohol on school property
- Misleading the officials by giving wrong information, especially age
CONSEQUENCES OF DUI IN VIRGINIA
If you’re younger than 21 years old and purchase, possess or consume alcohol (to the point of a 0.02% BAC), you face the following consequences:
- License suspension for up to 1 year from your conviction date.
- Minimum $500 fine, or minimum 50 hours of community service.
- Possible Alcohol Safety Action Program.
- Possible restricted driver’s license
DUI PENALTIES: 21 AND OLDER
Virginia DUI penalties for drivers 21 years old or older vary depending on the offense number, the time period, and higher BACs.
OFFENSE NUMBERS
First Offense
- Administrative license suspension for 7 days.
- Minimum $250 fine; maximum $300 fine. (These fines may be directly related to eligibility for the Alcohol Safety Action Program.)
- License revocation for 1 year.
- Any court-ordered restitution.
- Possible Alcohol Safety Action Program (ASAP).
- Possible ignition interlock device.
- Possible restricted driver’s license.
- Criminal record.
Second Offense
- Administrative license suspension for 60 days.
- Minimum $500 fine.
- Indefinite license revocation.
- If within fewer than 5 years of the first offense, a mandatory 1 month to 1 year in jail.
- If within 5 years to 10 years of the first offense, a mandatory minimum 10 days in jail.
- Any court-ordered restitution.
- Possible ignition interlock device.
- Possible restricted driver’s license.
- Criminal record.
Third Offense
- Administrative license suspension until your trial.
- If within 5 years, 6 months in jail.
- If within 10 years, 90 days in jail.
- Indefinite license revocation.
- Minimum $1,000 fine.
- Any court-ordered restitution.
- Possible Alcohol Safety Action Program (ASAP).
- Possible ignition interlock device.
- Possible restricted driver’s license.
- Felony charge, which means your vehicle is subject to seizure and forfeiture.
Fourth Offense
- Administrative license suspension until your trial.
- $1,000 fine.
- Any court-ordered restitution.
- License revocation for an indefinite time period.
- Minimum of 1 year in jail.
- Possible Alcohol Safety Action Program (ASAP).
- Possible ignition interlock device.
- Possible restricted driver’s license.
- Felony charge, which means your vehicle is subject to seizure and forfeiture.
EXTREMELY HIGH BAC
These penalties are in addition to the penalties outlined above.
BAC of At Least 0.15%
- First offense: Additional 5 days in jail.
- Second offense: Additional 10 days in jail (if within 10 years of the first offense).
BAC Higher than 0.20%
- First offense: 10 days in jail.
Second offense: 20 days in jail (if within 10 years of the first offense) and a $500 fine.