While all DUIs can result in serious legal consequences, a driver facing a DUI after a fatal accident has a lot more on the line. If a driver is convicted of driving under the influence after their involvement in a fatal accident, they may face charges of involuntary manslaughter or vehicular homicide. The penalties may…

Fairfax county patrol are always on the lookout for law-breakers and illegal behavior. However, once in a while, the police makes their intentions known to those in the community. One of those such times where local authorities announce their plans for a sobriety checkpoint in Fairfax County, one of which occurred over the past weekend.…

While some motorists view a drunk driving offense as a minor criminal charge, Virginia residents should note that the recent changes over the last decade have significantly increased the penalties for those convicted of a drunk driving or reckless driving charge. Because of this, such a charge should not be treated as minor but rather…

While many might view a drunk driving charge as a minor offense, this is actually considered a major traffic violation that could result in serious penalties if convicted. Thus, motorists in Virginia and elsewhere should take these charges seriously, noted the evidence used against them and ways to assert a defense against the pending charge.…

Most people in Virginia are responsible when it comes to not driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs. They understand that drunk driving is a crime, and therefore avoid doing it. They may ride with a designated driver, hail a taxi or simply stay where they are if possible while they sober up. This…

In a recent post, we discussed the requirement that Virginia police have reasonable suspicion of a violation before they pull a driver over to check for intoxication. As we noted in that post, however, sobriety checkpoints are a major exception to this rule. In 1990, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled that random DUI checkpoints did…

Under the U.S. Supreme Court decision in Terry v. Ohio, a Virginia police officer can generally stop an individual for questioning, or pull a vehicle over, only if the officer has a reasonable suspicion a crime may have been committed. This means that with the notable exception of random DWI/DUI checkpoints, an officer cannot stop…

With the approach of the warm weather months in Virginia, many people will choose to spend time on the water and partake in boating. Part of enjoying days out in this manner might include the consumption of alcoholic beverages. There is nothing wrong with that unless the operator of the boat decides to drink as…

Virginia drivers who are confronted with charges related to driving under the influence of alcohol will undoubtedly be aware that they will face certain penalties in the event they are convicted. However, one potential consequence that is often understated and not fully understood is the ignition interlock device. This is placed on the vehicle that…

Virginia drivers who are arrested for driving while intoxicated need to understand the various consequences they will face in the event of a conviction. Charges related to drunk driving can be limited to one or two issues or it can extend to multiple offenses, depending on the circumstances. Regardless of the individual situation, one of…