Legal Help With Various Penalties For Driving While Intoxicated

Drivers in Virginia who are arrested for driving under the influence will have an idea of the issues they are likely to face in the event that they are convicted. What they might not consider are the ancillary penalties that can be just as inconvenient if not outright damaging. Having legal help is often one of the biggest keys to a successful resolution, from dropped charges to an acquittal, to the lowest possible penalties.

The financial outlay for fines and even jail time might pale in comparison to other aspects of the sanctions such as driver’s license revocation and an ignition interlock device. With a revocation, the driver will not be able to drive. For those who make a living with their vehicle or need it for transport to work, school or to care for their family, this is not a small penalty. With an ignition interlock device, the driver will be required to blow into a breathalyzer before the vehicle will start. In addition, there will be intermittent periods in which the driver will again have to blow into the machine to ensure that he or she has not been drinking alcohol in the interim between the previous tests.

Needless to say, these penalties can be onerous. Even if the incident did not cause any damage and did not involve other traffic violations such as going through red lights, speeding or driving recklessly, there is still a chance that the driver will face the above-mentioned penalties among others.

There are times when the traffic stop to investigate a driver who is potentially under the influence was not conducted within the confines of the law. In other instances, the law enforcement officer did not have a properly functioning breathalyzer machine and it said the driver was above the legal limit when he or she might not have been. Furthermore, the field sobriety tests could have been given in a way that was not completely fair. All of these issues can be the basis for a defense.

Understanding the consequences of a conviction is important when it comes to penalties such as losing one’s license to drive or having an apparatus placed on the vehicle to test the driver. Drivers should lay the foundation for a strong legal defense right after an arrest for driving while intoxicated by contacting an attorney.

Leary Law has extensive experience in helping clients who are dealing with these charges. Our firm’s website provides information about our services, in addition to helpful legal content related to drunk driving charges.