When you commit the mistake of driving under the influence in Virginia, it can cost you a mark on your driving record and get a criminal record in Virginia. In some instances, defendants have pled guilty even if they were not at fault just to avoid the penalties of a DWI conviction.
However, it is crucial for you to understand what getting a DUI conviction means for residents in Virginia.
What Are the Consequences of Getting a DUI on Your Driving and Criminal Record?
The criminal consequences of getting a DUI on your driving record means you will have to pay fines, probable jail time, and having your driving license suspended for a specific duration. You will also experience long-lasting consequences of driving while intoxicated such serving a criminal sentence. When you get a DWI conviction, you will get a mark on your driving record and get a criminal record. This will also impact your insurance rates.
Getting a Criminal Record for a DUI Conviction in Virginia
When the cops pull you over for a DUI in Virginia and arrest you for it, they will charge you with a Class 1 Misdemeanor. In Virginia, if the court convicts you of a DUI, it will stay on your criminal record forever. The state has not placed a time limit for when a DUI conviction can be removed or expunged from your criminal record. A criminal record of your criminal history and it includes a record of your convictions, arrests, and other court hearings.
Law enforcement and prosecutors have access to a person’s entire criminal history, which they can use against the person facing criminal charges. This will allow the prosecutor to charge a new drunk driving charge as a second offense DUI or third offense DUI if applicable. Subsequent offenses carry additional penalties.
Private parties or government agencies performing security clearance, background checks, housing applications, employment applications, and immigration uses also use a criminal record. In facts, certain parts of your criminal record are publicly available.
If the cops charge you for driving under the influence, it will go on their criminal record. If you plead guilty or the court finds you guilty, your DUI conviction will be added to your criminal record. For this reason, it important for you to get a DUI lawyer to defend in your court and not have the DUI conviction added to your criminal record.
Getting a Mark on Your Driving Record for a DUI Conviction
When you get convicted for driving while intoxicated, you will get a mark on our driving record. It will affect your driving privileges, place restrictions on your driving, and influence your insurance coverage. A mark for a DUI adds six points on your driving record, which could result in more driving restrictions depending on other driving offenses or infractions.
You should have the number of an experienced DUI lawyer in your phone in the event you get pulled over for a DUI in Virginia.