Protect Your Rights and Your Criminal Record
If you or a loved one has been charged with a DUI in Roanoke, Virginia, you should contact a skilled and experienced attorney to represent you in court. You should also be aware of the consequences of a DUI conviction. In this article, you’ll learn about the Blood alcohol level requirements for first-time offenders, penalties for second-time offenders, and your criminal record. After reading this article, you’ll be well-equipped to hire a quality Roanoke DUI attorney.
Felony DUI convictions in Roanoke
If you are facing a felony DUI conviction in Roanoke, VA, you may be wondering what you can do to protect your record and your rights. Thankfully, there are many resources available to you that can help you protect your rights and your driving record. First-time DUI offenders in Roanoke, VA can face fines, jail time, and more depending on their specific case and criminal history. A qualified DUI attorney can help you fight for your rights and protect your record.
A DUI lawyer in Roanoke will review the basis for the traffic stop to determine whether it was legally justified to make the arrest. If the stop was not legitimate, your lawyer can fight to have the charges dropped or reduced. If you have been ordered out of the car for suspected DUI, you will likely be asked to submit to field sobriety tests that determine whether you were intoxicated enough to operate a vehicle. Typically, these tests are not sufficient to support a DUI conviction. Instead, the government will argue that they provide the evidence needed to establish probable cause.
A recent case in Roanoke involved a former police officer. She caused a fatal drunken driving accident when she was just a teenager. In this case, she pleaded no contest to DUI and assault. She had a 0.16% blood alcohol level – more than double the legal limit. She was also found guilty of assault and driving under the influence. Although the case is not over, the DUI conviction has resulted in a ban on her driving privileges.
Blood alcohol level requirements for first-time offenders
The blood alcohol level (BAC) requirement for first-time DUI offenders varies from state to state. Most states require at least a.08 BAC, but some states have stricter requirements. BACs of 0.15 or greater are punishable by a two-year license suspension, ignition interlock installation, and a minimum of seven days in jail. The first time DUI offender who is caught with a BAC over 0.15 faces an enhanced punishment, and is likely to spend at least 48 hours in jail.
A BAC of 0.08 is a legal limit that presumes a driver is not under the influence of alcohol. Drivers with a BAC of less than a 0.05 will still be charged with DUI, and subsequent offenses will result in a two-year license revocation. Depending on the BAC level, drivers who refuse to submit to a blood alcohol test may face a restoration fee of between $500 and $2,000.
After one drink, a person’s BAC can continue to rise. It takes the body about an hour to process alcohol, so having multiple drinks within an hour can result in a significantly higher BAC. For this reason, drivers who refuse to submit to chemical testing are breaking the Zero Tolerance Law. Even if they have no criminal record, a first-time DUI offender must take the chemical test.
Penalties for second-time offenders
If you’ve been arrested for a DUI and have two prior convictions under your belt, the second time around you’re likely to face increased penalties. Not only will your insurance rates go up, but your reputation will also take a hit. Many states suspend driver licenses for a period of one year, but if you’ve committed a second DUI, your license will be suspended for up to three years.
Your outcome will vary, depending on the court and attorney you hire. Generally speaking, most second-time DUI offenders face between 30 and 90 days in jail, plus fines, court costs, and a mandatory ignition interlock device. In addition to a jail sentence, you may be ordered to pay up to $1,000 in fees, attend alcohol-abuse treatment, and undergo a license suspension for one year.
While second-time DUI offenses can result in a maximum one-year jail sentence, they’re not as severe as the first. A class A misdemeanor carries a maximum jail sentence of three64 days. The length of your jail sentence will depend on your blood alcohol concentration level at the time of arrest. In some counties, you can request to serve your sentence at home or on a work furlough. If you get caught with alcohol in your system, you’ll be put on informal probation for three years, but this could be extended if you have other convictions.
In addition to a jail sentence, a license suspension or revocation is possible if you have another alcohol-related conviction within ten years. If your blood alcohol concentration is more than 0.15%, you may face the suspension of your license. If you have a young child in your car, your license will be suspended and you may even be unable to drive. In addition to incarceration, the driver’s license may also be suspended, and you may lose it forever.
Criminal record
It is important to hire a skilled DUI lawyer if you are facing criminal charges in Roanoke. A conviction can severely affect your future, so you need the best possible legal representation. The Law Office of Patrick J. Kenney can provide aggressive defense representation if you are charged with a crime. The attorney can help you avoid a jail sentence and avoid other negative consequences. If you were arrested for DUI in Roanoke, you should contact the DUI hotline to find a qualified attorney.
There are many penalties for a DUI conviction. The criminal penalties include fines, jail time, and ignition interlock devices installed in your vehicle. The administrative penalties can have long-term impacts on employment and housing opportunities. A DUI conviction can even affect your ability to rent housing. A criminal record can also negatively impact your chances of getting a student loan or an apartment. Even if you did not cause the accident, you may have a hard time renting housing or finding a job. Fortunately, there are many DUI attorneys in Roanoke who can help you mitigate the impact of a conviction.
Driving under the influence is a serious crime throughout Virginia. The penalties can be harsh. If you are found guilty of DUI, you may face a lengthy jail sentence, loss of driving privilege, mandatory counseling, and more. Regardless of the circumstances of your case, it is vital to work with a skilled attorney who can protect your rights. Your future can depend on it. When you hire an experienced DUI attorney, you’ll have a strong legal defense.
Cost of hiring a DUI lawyer in Roanoke
The cost of hiring a DUI lawyer in Roanoke, Virginia, can range from $1,600 to more than $4,000. These costs are not included in the amount of time and lost wages you could have gotten while under arrest. It also doesn’t include any insurance fees that the lawyer might incur. A reputable attorney in Roanoke should charge a flat fee. However, many DUI attorneys in Roanoke will charge an hourly rate of between $100 and $500. The initial consultation should be free, and your lawyer will be able to assess your case and give you an estimate.
In addition to providing representation in court, a DUI lawyer in Roanoke can negotiate with the police and defend you if the charge against you is increased. They are also capable of standing up to the prosecutor’s office and negotiating with them. A Roanoke DUI lawyer evens the playing field for those charged with drunk driving. They know how to handle these cases and how to get the best possible outcome for their clients.
Hiring a DUI lawyer in Roanoke, Virginia can be a daunting process, so it’s important to do your research before making a decision. However, the long-term benefits are worth it. You could lose your driving privileges, face jail time, lose your job, or simply face a lot of stress as a result of your arrest. In addition to the costs of hiring a DUI lawyer, the benefits of a successful case will outweigh the costs.
The cost of hiring a DUI lawyer in Roanoke varies depending on the nature of your case. While some lawyers charge a flat fee for a DUI, others have fixed prices. You can expect to spend a few thousand dollars for a high-quality legal defense. For more information, visit the website of Roanoke DUI attorneys. The attorneys are available 24 hours a day.
