DUI Lawyers in Northern Virginia

Being charged with driving under the influence can result in severe consequences without the right legal representation. From court fees to incarceration, the only way to minimize the impact of a DUI conviction is to ensure you have a knowledgeable legal team by your side.

Westlake Legal Group acts as your ally following a DUI charge. We’ve represented countless individuals charged with driving while intoxicated throughout Northern Virginia. Consult with our expert team of DUI attorneys by contacting us today!

Understanding DUI Offenses in Virginia

Know Your Rights

‍Before you operate a vehicle in Virginia, it’s important to understand your rights — especially when it comes to DUI arrests. The following outlines some of the most important things to remember during a traffic stop:

• You are not legally obligated to answer questions about your whereabouts or activities leading up to the stop
• You are not legally obligated to perform a field sobriety test
• Do not say anything that may incriminate you or prompt a follow-up DUI investigation

The Commonwealth of Virginia has implied consent laws, meaning that simply by taking the wheel, all drivers give consent to taking a breathalyzer or blood test if an officer pulls you over on suspicion of drunk driving. It’s important to note, however, that you may refuse a preliminary breath test, but you will likely then receive administrative penalties against your license.

Penalties for Intoxicated Driving

Depending on the type of DUI charge you receive, your punishment will vary. There are mandatory sentences that depend on the specific type of conviction and the level of blood-alcohol content (BAC) the driver had at the time of the traffic stop. Punishments are also dependent on the defendant’s driving record.

Below are the punishments for convicted persons with an unreasonably high BAC (> 0.2):

• First Offense: Up to 12 months’ imprisonment and a fine between $250 and $2,500
• Second Offense: Within five years will result in imprisonment of one month to one year, a fine between $500 and $2,500, and enhanced penalty of additional minimum 20 days’ jail time; within 10 years, the enhanced penalty lowers to additional minimum 10 days’ jail time
• Third Offense: Three convictions within five to 10 years results in a Class 6 felony, meaning you may face between one and five years’ imprisonment and a fine of at least $1,000

Consult with your Westlake Legal Group DUI attorney to better understand your options and get the expert defense you deserve.

FAQs for Northern Virginia DUI Attorneys

Will your job find out if you’ve been charged with a DUI?

Depending on whether your employer mandates a background check, they may not find out that you have been charged with a DUI. However, there is no guarantee that they will not become aware of the charges

What is an Operating a Vehicle DUI conviction?

To be convicted of a DUI in Virginia, defendants do not necessarily have to be driving at the time of their arrest. Many cases have been successfully prosecuted without the defendant having been driving at the time of their law enforcement encounter. If this has happened to you, consult with a DUI lawyer to understand what legal options may be available.

Westlake Legal Group: Virginia’s DUI Attorneys

If you or someone you love has been convicted of a DUI, contact the team at Westlake Legal Group today. Our expert DUI attorneys have helped countless Virginia residents get the legal representation they need following a drunk driving accident. Schedule an initial consultation with our team and start litigating your case today.