Chesapeake DUI Defense Lawyer
Tailored Defenses in Chesapeake, Virginia Beach & Suffolk, VA
Driving while intoxicated (DWI), operating a vehicle under the influence (OVI), or driving under the influence (DUI) are all ways to describe the same thing: intoxicated driving. Intoxication may be the result of alcohol or another chemical substance (for example, marijuana) or both. To be a criminal offense in Virginia, your blood alcohol content (BAC) must be at or above the legal limit, you have an illegal chemical substance in your system, or your driving abilities are impaired, as witnessed by law enforcement.
Many DUI arrests are made daily in our state. Those arrested are often law-abiding citizens. Many mistakenly believe that DUI charges are impossible to contest, which is not true. Although these charges can be daunting, multiple defenses are available that can effectively challenge their validity. However, you will need an experienced attorney who understands the complexity of DUI and knows how to uncover potential flaws and weaknesses in your case.
At Pettrey Law, PLC, we work meticulously to investigate all aspects of a DUI charge to help you prevail or get the best possible outcome. Through extensive investigation and preparation, Attorney Pettrey can apply his 10+ years of criminal law practice to your case.
Learn more about your case and how we can help in a consultation at Pettrey Law, PLC. Call (757) 796-6996 or contact us online to speak with our Chesapeake DUI defense attorney.
How Prosecution Proves You Were Under the Influence in Virginia
Prosecutors can prove that a driver is "under the influence" through several methods, often involving a combination of evidence types:
- Field sobriety tests (FSTs): These are physical tests conducted by law enforcement officers at the scene to assess a driver's coordination, balance, and ability to follow instructions. Common tests include the walk-and-turn and one-leg stand.
- Chemical tests: Blood, breath, or urine tests can measure the concentration of alcohol or drugs in the driver's system. A blood alcohol concentration (BAC) of 0.08% or higher is considered over the legal limit for alcohol.
Values That Drive Us Integrity, Compassion, and Advocacy at Our Core
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Proven ResultsCommitted to excellence and proven success, we strive for favorable outcomes using experience and innovative legal strategies to protect your rights and interests.
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Integrity and TransparencyWe pride ourselves on building trust with our clients through open communication and honest advice. At Pettrey Law, you will always know where your case stands and the options available to you.
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Compassionate CounselWe understand that legal matters can be stressful and emotional. Our team is here to provide not only expert legal advice but also the empathy and understanding you need during challenging times.
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Client-Centered AdvocacyAt Pettrey Law, PLC, your needs come first. We focus on personalized legal strategies, ensuring you receive the guidance and support tailored to your unique situation.
Penalties for a First Offense DUI Charge in Chesapeake, VA
Several factors, including your BAC level, any aggravating circumstances, and your driving history, influence DUI penalties.
Potential penalties a first-time offender might face:
- Fines: Ranging from $250 to $2,500.
- License suspension: For one year.
- Jail time: Possible incarceration, particularly for high BAC levels or aggravating factors.
- Virginia Alcohol Safety Action Program (VASAP): Mandatory enrollment in education on the dangers of alcohol/drug use, the impact on driving skills, and more. It may also include counseling or substance abuse treatment. Successful completion is often required for the reinstatement of driving privileges.
- Ignition interlock device: Required installation and alcohol monitoring may be ordered.
- Community service: This may be ordered as part of the sentence.
- Probation: This could include conditions such as regular check-ins and abstinence from alcohol.
- High BAC level: A BAC of 0.15% or above is considered high in Virginia and may lead to enhanced penalties, including longer jail sentences and additional fines.
Your DUI Questions, Answered.
Still have questions or can't find the answer you need? Give us a call at 757-796-6996 today!
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Can I Beat a Drunk Driving Charge in Virginia?
It is possible to beat a drunk driving charge, although it is not typically an easy process. It will require a thorough understanding of the law and a thorough understanding of the technical nature of field sobriety tests, breath tests, blood tests, and urine tests. Understanding the latter tests is critical to identifying errors (technical or human-made errors) to highlight the unreliability of the results.
Aside from errors or unreliable test results, an alleged DUI offender may have had their constitutional rights violated. This happens more often than you might imagine. A violation can lead to the inadmissibility of some or all evidence. Without sufficient evidence, the case will be dismissed, or a jury may return with an acquittal.
You will need a drunk driving defense attorney to help you beat an intoxicated driving charge. These cases can be highly technical, as much as legally complex.
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Do I Need a Drunk Driving Lawyer in Virginia to Win My DUI Case?
If you plan to fight your drunk driving charges, it is in your best interest to have an attorney represent you. The law can be complex. The evidence can be highly technical and scientific. Police and state expert testimony can be damaging. All these things can lead to a conviction, unless you have the necessary skills and knowledge to successfully counter them. Most alleged DUI offenders do not have that kind of knowledge and skills.
At Pettrey Law, PLC, we know the law and the technical, scientific make-up of field sobriety tests, blood tests, breath tests, and urine tests. We also know how to identify and proactively address any constitutional rights violations to benefit your case. Contact our DUI defense lawyer in Chesapeake, Norfolk, Virginia Beach, Newport News today at (757) 796-6996 to schedule a Free Telephone, Video, or In-Person Consultation and get honest advice on your best legal options.
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Can I Just Plead Guilty to Drunk Driving?
An arraignment is a hearing where the defendant can plead guilty, no contest, or not guilty. You can plead guilty, but the real question is whether you should or not. It would be a mistake to plead guilty at this time, especially without the counsel of a drunk driving lawyer in Chesapeake, Norfolk, Virginia Beach, Newport News, and there are multiple reasons for this.
- If you plead guilty immediately, you lose any opportunity to fight the DUI charge.
- If you plead guilty immediately, you also lose any opportunity for a plea deal, if that is what would be best in your unique circumstances. Admittedly, a plea deal means you would plead guilty, but the process can render a better outcome than an immediate plea of guilty. In some jurisdictions, you may be able to plead down to a lesser offense.
- The sentencing is often harsher when given in response to a plea of guilty during the arraignment, as opposed to what a plea deal would entail or a sentencing after a conviction would impose. The reason is simple: you have time to mitigate and negotiate.
If it's your first drunk driving charge, it can be tempting to plead guilty right away so that you can get the case over faster and get on with your life. But if you do not fight to get the charge dismissed or to get yourself acquitted, it will be your first drunk driving charge. With the latter on your record, you want to keep in mind that subsequent DUI convictions will assuredly lead to harsher penalties.