Experienced DUI Defense To Protect Your Rights And Your Virginia Driver’s License
If you have been arrested for drunk driving, you are most likely feeling overwhelmed by the arrest’s potential negative impact on your professional and personal lives, your family and finances.
Your mind is teeming with a jumble of troubling questions: What penalties will I face if I am convicted? Could I lose my driver’s license, even if this is only my first arrest? Was refusing a breath test at the arrest scene the wrong thing to do? Will I go to jail? Will I lose my security clearance or my government job?
You can trust the Fairfax County DUI defense attorneys of Hogan & Pritchard, PLLC, to aggressively advocate for your Virginia driving privileges in local courts and General District Court.
For 50 collective years, our attorneys, Martin P. Hogan and Michael T. Pritchard, have successfully handled a wide variety of DUI cases. We make legal guidance and personal service our top priorities. Whether you have questions about jail time, losing your license, obtaining a restricted Virginia driver’s license or the impact this will have on your commercial driver’s license (CDL) or security clearance, Mr. Hogan and Mr. Pritchard can help. Their sound counsel and solid support protect the rights of individuals throughout Northern Virginia and Washington, D.C.
When A Drunk Driving Arrest Endangers Your Driving Privileges
After a DUI arrest, you should not have to feel resigned to admitting guilt, paying fines and suffering the major inconvenience of a suspended or revoked driver’s license. Based on all the factors that can go wrong during a drunk driving stop, you have a number of defense options. We can educate you on those options and create a tailored defense customized to your specific situation.
Frequently Asked Questions
If you have been arrested for DUI, you likely have urgent questions about your license and your future. While every case is different, getting a deeper insight into the potential legal consequences of DUI in Virginia can help you prepare for your case better.
What happens to my driver’s license after a DUI arrest in Virginia?
If you are arrested for DUI in Virginia and your blood alcohol concentration (BAC) level is 0.08% or above, the police officer can immediately take your driver’s license away and hand you a temporary suspension notice. Refusing to take a breath test or blood test will also result in the same consequence.
Even if you are eligible to keep driving for a short period, the arrest sets into motion both the criminal case and the DMV-related consequences, which is why it is so vital to consult with a lawyer as soon as possible.
What are the penalties for a first-time DUI offense in Virginia?
In Virginia, a first-time DUI conviction is a Class 1 misdemeanor. The legal penalties for this include a mandatory minimum fine of $250, a one-year license revocation and up to one year in jail. This conviction can also increase insurance premiums, affect future career prospects, and result in a permanent criminal record that cannot be expunged or sealed.
Because the penalties vary based on the specific circumstances, early legal intervention is critical to understanding your exposure and building the strongest possible defense.
Can I lose my federal government job because of a DUI?
Yes, a DUI conviction can put a federal government job at risk, but the impact will depend on your position, your security clearance, your agency and the circumstances of the case. Federal employees often face not only the criminal case in state court but also internal reporting obligations, fitness-for-duty concerns and potential clearance issues.
Our firm has experience working with federal employees, and we understand how a DUI case can affect both your career and your standing with your agency. Our aggressive criminal defense lawyers in Virginia can help protect your rights and your profession’s future.
Can DUI charges in Fairfax County be reduced or dismissed?
In Fairfax County, DUI charges can sometimes be reduced or dismissed, but the outcome depends heavily on the facts of the case, the quality of the evidence and the defense attorney’s skill in handling the case. Key issues may include whether the traffic stop was lawful, whether the officer properly conducted field sobriety tests, whether the chemical testing was reliable and whether the prosecution can prove the case beyond a reasonable doubt.
Collaborating with a trusted lawyer can help you identify weaknesses in the prosecutor’s evidence, challenge improper police procedure and push for the most positive outcome, whether that means dismissal, reduction or a favorable resolution.
Schedule A Free Consultation Today
Our legal team takes the time to understand your concerns and listen to your goals. Contact our lawyers for a free initial confidential consultation to discuss the details of your legal issues. Call Hogan & Pritchard, PLLC, at 703-552-4014 or send an email message.