Herndon, VA DUI Defense Lawyers

Aggressive DUI Defense Attorneys Representing Residents of Herndon

A DUI charge is not just a traffic ticket that you can pay and forget about. If convicted, you face criminal penalties as well as lasting consequences for your driving privileges. With that in mind, if you have been arrested for driving under the influence, the smartest thing you can do is to seek legal representation from a criminal defense attorney.

At Arrested for a DUI, LLC, we have represented many clients accused of drunk driving offenses. Our Herndon DUI defense lawyers can provide you with clear guidance throughout your case and protect your rights in court, pursuing the best possible outcome to your case.

What Are the Penalties for Drunk Driving in Virginia?

A first DUI offense in Virginia is a misdemeanor crime, carrying up to a year of incarceration and up to $2,500 in fines if you are convicted. Certain aggravating factors, like DUI with a minor passenger or having a high blood alcohol concentration, may result in stricter penalties and mandatory minimum sentences.

A DUI charge in Virginia can also come with consequences for your driver's license. If convicted, you face the revocation of your license for a year. Additionally, if you refuse to submit to a DUI blood or breath test after an arrest, your license will be suspended for a year, which will run consecutively with a conviction.

Driving with a suspended license resulting from a DUI also invites the risk of a felony charge, carrying the possibility of years in prison. Our firm can help you fight a DUI charge to protect your license and minimize the long-term criminal penalties.

How Is Driving While High Prosecuted in Virginia?

Under Virginia law, you can be charged with a DUI for driving "under the influence of any narcotic drug or any other self-administered intoxicant of whatsoever nature, or any combination of such drugs" to the point where you cannot drive the vehicle safely. This means that driving while impaired by marijuana or other drugs is punishable under the state's DUI laws.

You may also face DUI charges if you are found to have certain substances in your system while driving, including:

• .02 milligrams or more of cocaine per liter of blood
• .1 milligrams of methamphetamine per liter of blood
• .01 milligrams of phencyclidine per liter of blood

Remember, Virginia's implied consent laws mean that you must submit to blood or breath testing or face penalties for refusal. Our attorneys can advise you of what to do after your arrest, given the facts of your case.

Underage DUI Laws in Virginia

The state of Virginia strictly forbids people under the age of 21 from drinking and driving. The legal blood alcohol concentration limit for people above the legal drinking age is .08 percent, but for those below the legal drinking age, that limit is capped at .02 percent.

Underage DUI charges also come with additional penalties to further discourage younger drivers from drunk driving. Like a regular DUI, the offense is charged as a Class 1 misdemeanor, but anyone who is convicted of this offense will also have to pay a minimum $500 fine or participate in 50 hours of community service.

Meet With a Herndon, Virginia DUI Defense Attorney

The immediate and long-term consequences of a DUI can be hard to cope with. At Arrested for a DUI, LLC, we can help defend you against criminal allegations of drinking and driving, exploring all possible avenues to minimize the penalties or get the charges dropped.

Our firm is available 24/7 for any client inquiries, so do not hesitate to reach out if you need help. Call us at 301-479-5466 or contact our Herndon DUI defense lawyers to set up your free consultation today.