If you have been accused of driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol, you need a lawyer who can fight the charge. A DUI defense attorney in Alexandria can help you understand the penalties for the offense, and can build a strategy to protect your rights and reduce the severity of any potential consequences.
Penalties for DUI vary depending on the alleged blood alcohol content (BAC) and whether this is your first or a subsequent conviction. In addition, the BAC could also be influenced by other factors, such as if you are under the age of 21, have a criminal history, or are a commercial driver.
When a person is arrested for a DUI, they are typically read their Miranda rights and given the right to remain silent and have a lawyer present during questioning. This is to ensure that they are not coerced into providing information. Additionally, they have the right to refuse a breath or blood test and are not required to submit to field sobriety testing.
A good Alexandria DUI defense attorney can review all of the details surrounding your arrest and determine if any rights have been violated, such as a refusal to submit to a chemical test, failure to take a field sobriety test, or any other errors in the police investigation. This may allow them to challenge the evidence and potentially drop or amend the charges against you, or to negotiate with prosecutors to have the charges dismissed.
The penalties for a DUI are very serious in Virginia, and can include jail time, fines, probation, and license suspension. These are among the most common consequences of a conviction, and it is important that you contact an Alexandria DUI defense attorney as soon as possible to build a strategy to defend your rights.
Your license can be suspended automatically by the state if you have been arrested for a DUI and your breath or blood test shows that your BAC is above the legal limit. Your DUI attorney can help you file for a hearing to contest the automatic suspension of your license.
If your driving privileges have been suspended, you need an Alexandria DUI defense attorney who can work with the Virginia DMV to get your license reinstated. This is often a difficult process, and it is recommended that you work with an experienced attorney to make sure that your rights are protected.
In the event that your license is suspended, it can be hard to obtain a replacement. This is because the DMV needs to have proof that you are eligible to receive a replacement, which can be difficult to provide.
Fortunately, the Alexandria DMV allows you to apply for a restricted license, which is a type of limited driving permit that can be obtained only after a judge approves the application and installation of an ignition interlock device. The Alexandria DUI attorney you hire will be able to explain how this type of permit can be applied and how it can work in your favor.