Traffic & DUI Offenses

virginia traffic violation attorneys

Virginia Traffic Violations & Potential Consequences

The most common infraction the general public typically experiences are traffic violations involving speeding and other citations concerning general traffic safety. Penalties for infrequent infractions concern merely paying a fine to a court and possible points against your driving record that will drop off over time. However, once there are two or three violations in a fairly short period of time there are now expensive consequences apart from the accumulating court fines with the additional risk of your license being suspended and incurring higher insurance rates. Hiring a traffic attorney to plead your case is then in your best interest.

Out-Of-State Drivers

We specialize in assisting out-of-state drivers that have received a traffic citation in the State of Virginia. We can help them avoid having to physically appear in court and will attempt to have their charge reduced or absolved. This is especially true in the case of a reckless driving charge. Virginia is somewhat unique in requiring an appearance in court if you were cited for driving 20 miles an hour or more above the posted speed limit. If you have received a traffic citation anywhere along the I-64 corridor from Virginia Beach to Richmond we are here to help. Traffic offenses constitute a wide range of variables where we can potentially find a means to have your case dismissed or reduced without your having to bear the time and expense of appearing in court.

Commercial Drivers

Commercial drivers are particularly affected by traffic violations. Any infraction on their record is a critical factor to their livelihood when it comes to maintaining or finding employment as a CDL driver. Because of liability and strict safety regulations imposed by insurance companies as well as Federal and State governments, many trucking companies will either fire or not hire you if there is even one traffic ticket on your record. With your livelihood at stake, you will need an experienced traffic attorney fighting for you.  Call us today!

Typical Driving Offenses We Represent in Court:

DUI Is A Serious Offense in Virginia

As in any State, drunk driving deaths and injuries are looked upon as a horrendous crime and dealt with severely even with first-time DUI offenses as a deterrent to this common social problem.

Virginia is more rigid in its penalties for Driving Under the Influence (DUI) with a blood alcohol concentration (BAC) of .08 or above.  Commercial drivers are held to a .04 or above BAC.

Penalties For Multiple Virginia DUI Offenses

  • A first-time conviction in Virginia for drunk driving results in a mandatory minimum fine of $250; the revocation of driving privileges for 1 year; an automatically suspended jail sentence conditioned on good behavior for one year and mandatory participation (and self-paid tuition) for ASAP alcohol counseling. In special circumstances–where there is a minor in the car or you were determined to have an elevated BAC level of intoxication–a mandatory minimum jail sentence is possible.
  • For a second DUI conviction there is a mandatory minimum fine of $500; the revocation of driving privileges for 3 years (although it is possible to get some driving privileges back after one year); and mandatory minimum of jail time for at least twenty days.  You could be incarcerated for up to a year. The period between offenses also plays a factor in the incarceration penalty. For instance, for a second offense within five to ten years of the first there is a mandatory 10-day jail term.
  • It is considered a felony for a third Virginia DUI conviction to happen within 10 years of the first. There is a mandatory minimum fine of $1,000.00 and an indefinite revocation of driving privileges, although a person may ask the court to restore some driving privileges after three years. Again, timing of offenses plays a role with a mandatory 6 months in jail for a third offense within 5 years and 90 days jail time for a third offense within 5 to 10 years.

Hiring An Attorney Is Your Best Defense

Virginia Driving Under the Influence (DUI) laws and procedures for arrest are fairly concrete.  In principle, every DUI arrest follows the same procedure. There are unique situations that arise from each arrest that can work in your favor, especially when the defendant has cooperated fully and intelligently during the arrest process and takes the fight to the courtroom to decide innocence or guilt.

The procedures followed during the course of a DUI arrest can involve mistakes made on the part of the arresting officer that you don’t know about.

These are good examples of how a defense can work in your favor, but it doesn’t typically happen without an experienced attorney at your side in the courtroom.

  • Reckless Driving
  • License Suspensions
  • Speeding
  • Inattentive Driving
  • Traffic Sign & Signal Infractions
  • Following Too Close
  • Out-of-State Driver Citations
  • Commercial Truck Driver Citations
  • Habitual Offender
  • Restricted Driving Privileges
  • Hit and Run
  • Eluding