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New Virginia DUI Laws

Recently, the Commonwealth of Virginia changed their DUI laws slightly to make the penalties more severe. Under the new laws, anyone previously convicted of a felony DUI will automatically be charged with a felony DUI if they have been previously convicted of a felony DUI. This makes it more important than ever to get a Fairfax DUI attorney if you are charged with driving under the influence.

New Rules Explained by Fairfax DUI Attorney

Previously, a person could only be charged with felony DUI if:

  • When injury or death occurred as a result of the DUI
  • He/she was convicted of a third DUI within a ten year period

This change in the law is meant to deal more harshly with repeat offenders; previously, if a person had problems with alcohol and then stayed clean for a number of years, the clock would essentially be reset. With these changes, the felony conviction will follow them forever and any subsequent DUI conviction would carry with it a mandatory one year minimum jail sentence. Therefore, if you are charged even with your first DUI, it is imperative that you contact a Fairfax DUI attorney immediately in order to keep this conviction off your record.

The Fairfax DUI attorney can challenge the veracity of the evidence, including the breathalyzer and/or blood test, the results of the field sobriety test, and the testimony of any responding officers. They also may be able to work out a plea agreement with the state to reduce the DUI charges to a lesser charge, thereby keeping that conviction off your record. This can be extremely important, should any subsequent DUI charges happen in the future.

If you have been charged with a DUI, you need a Fairfax DUI attorney with the experience to handle your case properly. The Law Office of Wilfred Ward Yeargan has the experience to properly handle your DUI charge whether it is a felony or misdemeanor, giving you the best advice possible.

Areas Served by the Law Firm

The law office serves clients throughout Virginia including those in the following localities: Fairfax City; Fairfax County including Annandale, Burke, Centreville, Herndon, and Vienna; the City of Alexandria; Arlington County including Arlington; the City of Falls Church; Augusta County, including Staunton; Fauquier County including Warrenton; Frederick County including Winchester; the City of Fredericksburg; Loudoun County including Ashburn and Leesburg; Clarke County, including Berryville; Fluvanna County, including Palmyra, Prince William County including Occoquan, Triangle, Quantico, Woodbridge, Dumfries, Haymarket, and Manassas; Spotsylvania County including Lake Wilderness and Spotsylvania Courthouse; Stafford County including Stafford, Aquia Harbour, and Falmouth; Warren County including Front Royal; Shenandoah County, including Woodstock; Rappahannock County, including Washington; Madison County; Greene County, including Stanardsville; Fluvanna County, including Palmyra; Caroline County, including Bowling Green; Hanover County; King and Queen County; New Kent County; City of Hopewell; Prince George County; York County, including Yorktown; Chesterfield County; Henrico County; Westmoreland County, including Montross; King George County; Greensville County, including Emporia; Prince George's County; and Sussex County.

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