In Virginia, driving is taken very seriously. As such, if you break the law while on the road, you could be facing harsh penalties. This is especially true if you are facing multiple charges. Mark B. Arthur, PC, is here to explain how driving under the influence (DUI) and distracted driving may interact when it comes to the charges you face.
DUI charges alone can result in hefty penalties. Depending on the charges faced, you could be dealing with high fines, jail time, community service, or even having to attend a rehabilitation program.
Distracted driving, on the other hand, is a broad category that refers to any behavior that takes your attention away from the road. In some cases, these behaviors are dangerous enough to be considered reckless driving. A popular example is texting while driving or otherwise interacting with handheld electronic devices. If an action you do is categorized as reckless driving, you could be facing misdemeanor charges.
It is possible to face both DUI charges and distracted driving charges at the same time. Because of their compounded nature, your charges may be bumped into a more severe category. Accordingly, you could face longer jail sentences, higher fines, or even having your license suspended or revoked.
Have you been accused of driving while under the influence? Are you currently facing other additional charges for things like distracted driving? If so, you may want to take a look at our web page on drunk driving, linked above. You can learn more about what to expect when in court.
