If you’re facing DUI charges in Virginia, familiarity with the ins and outs of state and national DUI laws is vital. Mark B. Arthur works tirelessly to provide you with all the information you could need to fight against the accusations that have been placed against you.
First of all, you must know that Virginia is an implied consent state. What does this mean? Simply put, as soon as you get behind the wheel, you imply that you’ve given your consent for police officers to run field sobriety or breathalyzer tests. You can be arrested if you refuse, and your license may also be suspended for up to one year.
You should also understand that your blood alcohol content (BAC) level and age play a role in whether or not you can be charged with DUI. The commonly known limit is .08, but in actuality, that only applies to people 21 and older who are driving private vehicles. Anyone under the age of 21 only has to blow a .02 to be charged with a DUI, while commercial vehicle drivers only need a .04 to face the charges. Whether it’s your first time offense or not may not make much difference, on the other hand, as even first time offenders can face fines and jail time. However, repeat offenders do face heavier penalties.
Dealing with any DUI charge can leave you struggling with how you proceed. In order to prevent that charge from becoming a conviction, you will need to act quickly and know your options. Take a look at our web page for further information on DUI charges and how to handle them.