DUI

Know your legal options and minimize the consequences of a DUI arrest. Facing charges of driving under the influence DUI can have serious consequences, even for a first offense. In Virginia, a DUI conviction can result in up to one year of jail time. It is crucial to understand your options and your legal standing to navigate the situation effectively. Attorney Chad G. Dorsk specializes in providing aggressive defense strategies, assisting individuals in putting their DUI arrest behind them. Discover the mandatory minimum penalties for a first DUI conviction and learn how Mr. Dorsk can help you achieve the best possible outcome.

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In Virginia, DUI offenses — resulting from alcohol or drugs — carry substantial weight, encompassing both administrative and criminal facets. A DUI, as a criminal charge, can plunge you into a series of penalties like jail time, hefty fines, and more. As a significant traffic violation, it can potentially lead to a temporary or permanent license suspension, severely hampering your daily life, essential errands, or transporting your children to school. For commercial vehicle operators, the repercussions are even more profound, posing a direct threat to their professional livelihood.

 

Located in the heart of downtown Norfolk, Dorsk Law Office, plc is dedicated to your defense and understands the legal and real life consequences involved.

 

We are unwaveringly committed to your success and will work hard for you. We understand the profound impacts a DUI conviction can have on your freedom, financial health, insurance, employment, and familial ties. Our Norfolk DUI defense attorney, with his extensive expertise, pledges to be there by your side through these tough times.

 

Our services encompasses a range of DUI scenarios in Virginia:

• First-time DUI

• Subsequent DUIs

• DUID (Driving Under Influence of Drugs)

• Underage DUI

• Commercial Vehicle DUI

• DUI with a Minor Onboard

• DUI Culminating in Vehicular Assault

• DUI Leading to Vehicular Fatality

 

Dial (757) 423-0271 for a no-obligation case discussion. The seasoned attorneys at Dorsk Law Office, plc have competently addressed a plethora of cases across Virginia.

 

BAC Limits in Virginia: A Glimpse

Virginia's legal dictum prohibits driving with a Blood Alcohol Concentration (BAC) exceeding .08 percent. For those driving commercial vehicles, this limit stands at .04 percent, and for drivers below 21 years of age, it's a stringent .02 percent.

 

A Rundown on DUI Penalties in Virginia (18.2-270)

• First-time DUI: Termed as a Class 1 misdemeanor, it can lead to up to 12 months in jail, fines capped at $2,500, and a year-long license suspension. A BAC of .15 or above mandates a minimum jail stay of five days, and exceeding .20 ensures at least a ten-day incarceration.

• Second-time DUI: Retained as a misdemeanor but with escalated penalties - potential of up to a year in jail, fines as high as $2,500, a three-year license suspension, and obligatory alcohol education and probation.

• Third-time DUI: This transitions to a felony, risking up to five years in prison, an irrevocable revocation of driving privileges, atop the traditional DUI penalties.
  
  Note: Judges have discretion in assigning penalties and can impose harsher consequences based on the specifics of the case. Attorney Chad G. Dorsk will diligently assess the evidence and identify potential flaws in the prosecution's case to help avoid a conviction and minimize penalties.

 

Decoding Virginia’s Implied Consent Law

Aligned with Virginia's implied consent law (18.2-268.2), a refusal to undergo a post-arrest breath test is treated as a civil offense, culminating in a year-long license suspension. A subsequent refusal within a decade gets labeled as a Class 1 misdemeanor, resulting in a three-year license suspension.

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Understanding Field Sobriety Tests

If suspected of DUI, officers frequently resort to one of the three Standardized Field Sobriety Tests (SFST):

• Horizontal Gaze Nystagmus (HGN) Test: Observing potential impairment indicators by moving a small object before the suspect's eyes.

• Walk-and-Turn Test: The individual is directed to walk nine steps in a straight line and then return, with officers observing for any signs of impairment.

• One-Leg Stand Test: The person stands on one foot for roughly 30 seconds, and any manifestations of intoxication are keenly observed. 

 

Mount Your DUI Defense with Dorsk Law Office, plc

With a robust legal background, Dorsk Law Office, plc provides strong DUI defense.

Facing a DUI charge can be overwhelming;

having an experienced attorney by your side can make a significant difference.

Call (757) 423-0271 to protect your rights and future.