Experienced DUI Defense in Virginia Beach
Locals of Virginia Beach know how severe the police and prosecutors can be in DUI cases. If you’re facing criminal accusations for driving while intoxicated, it’s critical to understand your constitutional rights and have a lawyer by your side who is trained to recognize violations of those rights. Our seasoned DUI lawyers are here to provide you with knowledgeable and robust defense strategies tailored to your unique case and make sure that you get a fair chance to fight the charges.
Understanding Virginia’s DUI Laws
In Virginia, a conviction on your permanent record for driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs can severely impact your opportunities in life. The legal blood alcohol content (BAC) limit in Virginia is 0.08% for drivers over 21. For commercial drivers, the limit is even lower at 0.04%. Drivers under 21 are held to a zero-tolerance policy, which means that any detectable BAC while driving is punishable by law.
A conviction for DUI can lead to substantial fines, mandatory jail time, a mandatory alcohol education program, and license suspension. Sometimes a DUI conviction can even result in an ignition interlock device being installed in all of the accused’s vehicles on court orders and at the accused’s own expense. The severity of the penalties can increase with each subsequent offense and if certain circumstances are present in the case, such as higher BAC levels or the presence of minors in the vehicle.
Potential Defense Strategies
Our DUI defense team has developed a range of tried-and-true strategies for challenging DUI charges. These include:
- Challenging the accuracy of BAC tests: We can scrutinize the methods that the police used to determine your blood alcohol content, including whether they engaged in sufficient maintenance and correct operation of the BAC testing devices.
- Challenging the legitimacy of field sobriety tests: Signs of intoxication can be subjective. We sometimes argue against the reliability of field sobriety tests conducted by law enforcement or the reasonableness of the conclusions that the officers draw from these tests.
- Proving the violation of constitutional rights: If a police officer did not follow constitutionally mandated procedures during your arrest or failed to inform you of your rights, it might be possible to have your charges reduced or dismissed, or to quash the admissibility of the evidence presented against you.
Why Choose Us?
Our lawyers have been regularly recognized by Martindale-Hubbell*, Super Lawyers, Rising Stars, Coastal Virginia Magazine’s Top Lawyers, and our growing list of satisfied clients for their commitment to excellence and their robust defense tactics. We understand the stress and fear that come with DUI charges, and we work tirelessly to defend your driving privileges, prevent jail time, and minimize other potential consequences like hefty fines and community service whenever possible.
Don’t Wait: Contact Us Today
Whether you’re a local of Virginia Beach or a visitor, don’t try to resolve DUI charges alone. Contact our experienced DUI team today to schedule a consultation and analyze your case with us. From day one, you can count on transparency and clear updates on the progress of your case.
Let our experience in DUI defense be your guide in this challenging time. Reach out to us using our online contact form or give us a call at 757-659-9611, and let’s discuss how we can help you protect or restore your driving privileges.
*AV®, AV Preeminent®, Martindale-Hubbell Distinguished and Martindale-Hubbell Notable are certification marks used under license in accordance with the Martindale-Hubbell certification procedures, standards and policies. Martindale-Hubbell® is the facilitator of a peer review rating process. Ratings reflect the anonymous opinions of members of the bar and the judiciary. Martindale-Hubbell® Peer Review Ratings™ fall into two categories — legal ability and general ethical standards.
