Virginia DWI Attorneys

DWI Defense Lawyers in Fairfax, Prince William and Richmond

In Virginia, DWI (driving while intoxicated) is the criminal offense of driving or operating any type of motor vehicle while:

• The driver has a blood alcohol concentration of .08% or greater
• The driver is under the influence of alcohol
• The driver is under the influence of a controlled substance (includes illegal street drugs and prescription drugs) to the degree that it affects his/her ability to drive safely
• The driver is under the influence of any combination of alcohol and drugs to the degree that it affects his/her ability to drive safely

If you or someone you know has been arrested for DWI, an attorney at Brisendine, Overand, Buster & Bernstein can help. The experienced DWI defense attorneys at our firm are familiar with defending drunk driving, DWI and DUI charges throughout Virginia, including Prince William County, Fairfax County, Henrico County, Chesterfield County and Richmond.=

Virginia DWI Laws

According to Virginia law, a driver may be charged with DWI if he or she is unable to safely operate a motor vehicle or if he or she has a blood alcohol concentration above the legal limit. For drivers under 21 years old, this limit is different. A driver under 21 may not operate a motor vehicle with a blood alcohol concentration of .02% or above.

Any licensed driver who operates a motor vehicle in Virginia, whether the license is issued in the state or not, must consent to a chemical test to determine his or her blood alcohol level or presence of drugs in the body if arrested for DWI. It is unlawful for a person to refuse to submit to a blood test or breath test, and this refusal may result in criminal penalties.

DWI Penalties in Virginia

The penalties for DWI are serious and can leave a driver’s life changed forever. At our firm, our lawyers believe in fighting to protect our clients’ rights both in and out of the courtroom in order to help them avoid a DWI conviction and the many penalties associated with this. When you work with a Virginia DWI lawyer at Brisendine, Overand, Buster & Bernstein, you will have the backing of 36 years of legal experience as our team works to safeguard your future.

If convicted, a Virginia driver may face the following penalties for DWI:

• Jail or prison sentence
• Community service
• Probation
• Driver’s license suspension
• Alcohol education / treatment
• Possible vehicle confiscation
• Possible ignition interlock device

Specific penalties will vary depending upon the driver’s blood alcohol level, any prior offenses, whether the driver refused a chemical test, whether injury occurred, and a number of other factors.

Contact a Virginia DWI attorney at Brisendine, Overand, Buster & Bernstein today!