by Faraji Rosenthall | Mar 23, 2015 | Fairfax DUI / DWI
Average Cost of a DUI/DWI If you end up being convicted of DUI or DWI in Virginia, what will this criminal offense cost you? Possibly plenty. In addition to minimum mandatory fees, court costs and legal defense, drivers may end up paying higher insurance, added commuting costs due to suspended licenses,and much more. Breaking Down the Monetary Cost of DUI Let’s take a look at some of the average expenses, according to the Virginia Department of Motor Vehicles: First Time Offenders – pay at least $250, plus one year driver’s license suspension. Second Time Offenders – pay at least $500, three year license suspension, and up to one year imprisonment in some cases. If the driver has committed this DUI with a prior within the space of ten years, he or she will need to serve at least five days in jail, according to compulsory guidelines. Third Time Offenders – offenders who commit DUI three times within a ten-year period will have their license suspended indefinitely. In addition, offenders will need to pay $1000 in fines, and will also be charged with a Class 6 Felony. Other penalties include a mandatory minimum sentence of three-months’ jail time, and vehicle impoundment. 3RD time DUIs within 5 years require a compulsory six month jail sentence. Other Facts Penalties may be weighed by the blood alcohol count at the time of the arrest, including past DUI convictions. Virginia has a strict tolerance policy for driving while under the influence, and individuals under the age of 21 will be subjected to the same penalties as an adult over this age range. These court...
by admin | Sep 24, 2014 | Fairfax DUI / DWI
3 Tips For Steering Clear Of DWIs Getting a DWI can have terrible consequences. From hefty fines to time in jail, the process isn’t pleasant. With stringent laws in place regarding driving under the influence, the best course of action is often avoidance. Wise individuals should take necessary precautions to avoid the risk of getting a DWI, such as the following: Call a cab. The easiest way to handle the problem of getting home while intoxicated is to simply call a cab. This provides assured safety and self-reliance, creating a situation where everyone has a smaller chance of being involved in an accident. Assign a dedicated designated driver. If out with a group of friends, assigning someone as the designated driver is always a smart move. This removes the cost of a cab, yet still keeps everyone free from the worry of someone who has been drinking from driving. Wait until sober. Finally, waiting until you sober up is always an option. This works best when drinking while at a friend’s house. Many people plan to stay overnight in advance, thus removing any chance of being on the road while inebriated. Unfortunately, sometimes it’s too late for preventative measures. Knowing what to do once you’re pulled over is key in avoiding increased fines and possible jail time. Remember these tips: Keep your cool. Be polite and courteous with police officers, but admit to nothing. Don’t be confrontational or disrespectful. This will only make the situation worse. Remember your rights. There is no requirement to perform the physical, roadside sobriety tests. You have the right to politely refuse them. Hire...
by admin | Sep 3, 2014 | Fairfax DUI / DWI
Whether you have to appear in court for a traffic violation, a theft, or even a violent crime, there are certain rules, both written and unwritten, you should follow. While some people choose to represent themselves and some choose to work with a Fairfax criminal lawyer, the same principles apply for making a positive impression. The following guidelines will help you make a good first impression in court: Look as professional as possible. The court may not enforce a strict dress code, but most court personnel opt for formal dress, which sets the standard. A disheveled appearance in court communicates a lack of respect and shows a disregard for the severity of the situation. Also, try to make arrangements to leave children elsewhere during your court appearance. Maintain good manners. Treat every individual you meet with respect, and remember to refer to the judge using the proper title, “Your Honor.” Remember, staff members work together to monitor your conduct, so thoughtless actions or comments will be taken into account. Be on your best behavior. Don’t rush to tell your story. Ideally, you will be accompanied by a Fairfax criminal lawyer, which means you won’t have to speak much in court. If you decide to represent yourself, consider conferring with a lawyer beforehand to make sure you are prepared to speak eloquently, patiently, and clearly during your appearance. Be confident. Take time to prepare for your appearance and maintain a positive attitude throughout the proceedings. While the final orders might not be exactly what you hoped for, maintaining your dignity is an important part of a court appearance. Seeking legal...
by admin | Jul 23, 2014 | Fairfax DUI / DWI
Don’t Be Stuck With a DUI: How a Lawyer Can Help Things don’t always go as planned in life, and sometimes we end up in trouble without meaning to get there. If you are facing charges for a DUI or DWI, it may be tempting to represent yourself in court. But without the knowledge of a Fairfax DUI lawyer, you could do yourself more harm than good. Some of the many reasons a Fairfax DUI lawyer or Fairfax DWI lawyer is the wisest choice when it comes to dealing with these charges include: Professional Advice. According to NOLO, one of the simplest things a Fairfax DUI lawyer can do is provide excellent, professional advice. Contrary to popular belief, no two DUIs or DWIs are the same. A professional can look at the specifics of the incident and tailor their advice to meet those needs. It’s one thing to do research as background information, but it could be hazardous to depend on that to build a defense in court. A Fairfax DUI attorney can decide whether it’s better to plead guilty or not and what courses of action to take to better confront the court system. With this advice in hand, a successful case against a DUI or DWI charge will be much more likely. Plea Bargaining. A plea bargain occurs when there is something about the case that warrants another look. With the help of a Fairfax DWI lawyer, it may be possible to argue the results were inconclusive or there was no untoward behavior taking place. As a result, the charge may be dropped to a lesser offense,...
by admin | Jun 30, 2014 | Fairfax DUI / DWI
Lawbreakers May Pay for Their Crimes More Than Once There is no denying that any interaction with the justice system is costly, but it is hard to navigate the purpose of various fees and understand how to avoid unnecessary charges. Before making decisions about whether or not to hire a private lawyer, it is necessary to consider the hidden fees associated with the criminal court system. Everyone is familiar with the Miranda Rights spoken by a police officer to an arrested person, “If you cannot afford an attorney, one will be appointed to represent you…” What is not included in those rights is the warning that in most states, there are fees that come with that court appointed lawyer which quickly add up. In fact, 43 states and the District of Colombia allow a defendant to be charged for a public defense attorney. So, while it might seem as though you have access to a free source of legal advice, court appointed attorneys do come with a financial cost. Additionally, all criminal defendants must navigate through a complex web of fees and charges associated with the court system. These fees can easily double or even triple the original sentencing cost. Many criminals who are not sentenced to jail time do end up serving a jail sentence, not for their original crime, but because they could not pay court fees after their trial. People often feel like they must choose between not using a lawyer and risk getting into a dilemma in court, or carrying debt forever. But when you start to add up court costs, appointed attorney costs, and...
by admin | May 21, 2014 | Fairfax DUI / DWI
New Law to Lower the BAC Level for Drivers Is Being Considered Recently, the National Transportation Safety Board issued a recommendation to lower the BAC (Blood Alcohol Content) for legal driving from 0.08 to 0.05. This would mean a 160 pound man would only be able to have two drinks in a 90 minute period to stay legally sober, and a 120 pound woman could only consume one drink. The National Transportation Safety Board has found that thousands of people are either injured or killed by drivers who are not legally drunk, but still impaired, spurring this recommendation. Roughly 10,000 people die each year in the United States as a result of alcohol-related crashes. In 2010, it was estimated that over 7,000 deaths could have been prevented if the BAC was below 0.05. The studies found that an individual with 0.05 BAC was 38% more likely to get into a crash as compared to someone with a level of zero, but a person with 0.08 was 169% more likely to be involved in a crash. This would increase the need for a DUI lawyer for many Virginians, and DUI rates would likely go up around the country. However, there is considerable push back against the law, and since it was extremely difficult to get the states to agree to the 0.08 limit in the first place, it’s unlikely a person will need a DUI attorney on speed-dial any time soon. There is already considerable resistance from the alcohol and entertainment industries, as a new law could end up hurting revenues. No matter what the BAC is, getting a DUI...
