If you don’t have any problems sliding behind the wheel after drinking more than a few shots or beers, you may want to think again. Apart from possibly endangering your life and the lives of other road users, there are dire legal consequences for driving under the influence. And, if we’re to be frank, Virginia is the last state you want to rack up a DUI charge in. Why? Because compared to the rest of the US, Virginia doesn’t take too kindly to drunk driving, and has some of the toughest DUI laws and penalties in the country. Working with lawyers experienced in DUI cases in Virginia gives you the best chance of lowering your penalties.
That may get you wondering: How much is a DUI fine in the state? You’re looking at anything between $250 and $2,500, depending on whether you’re a first-time or repeat offender. However, a fine is only the tip of the iceberg because possible jail time, suspension of your driver’s license, compulsory alcohol education classes, and probation are also in the cards. The amount you pay and possible additional charges will depend on your blood alcohol concentration (BAC) at the time of the arrest.
DUI And Its Financial Consequences In Virginia
According to Virginia lawmakers, driving under the influence is when you operate any motor vehicle while your BAC is 0.08% or higher. To ascertain your BAC, the arresting officer will ask you to breathe into a breathalyzer. If you’re found guilty of DUI, it is a Class 1 misdemeanor according to Virginia Code 18.2-226.
That, by the way, is the most serious level of a misdemeanor in the state of Virginia. And, unfortunately, the charge will stay on your criminal record for life. Class 1 misdemeanor offenses in Virginia come with a fine of between $250 and $2,500.
If this is your first offense, the potential penalty includes a fine of at least $250 plus court costs. Remember that someone has to pay for the court fees, and the state will certainly not do the honors.
You’re deemed a first-time offender if it’s your first offense and you have no prior DUIs in the last ten years. Apart from the DUI fine, you have to attend a mandatory Virginia Alcohol Safety Action Program (VASAP), and it’s not free. You’re looking at anywhere between $250 and $300 for this program.
If you had a juvenile passenger when you committed the offense, you must pay an extra $500 to $1,000 fine for putting a minor at risk. If you go on to become a habitual offender, the fine goes a notch higher. Third-time offenders can expect to pay the maximum fine of $2,500.
Additional DUI Consequences
As mentioned previously, additional consequences come with a DUI apart from the fine. For your first DUI conviction, you’ll lose your license for a year. Plus, you must install an ignition interlock system on your motor vehicle for six months to prevent you from driving. What about jail time? In most cases, the judge won’t throw you behind bars if you’re a first-time offender. That’s unless there are additional aggravating factors involved. Having a BAC of 0.15% to 0.20% comes with five days behind bars—first-time offender or not. These can also come with the associated bail for a DUI. If your blood alcohol concentration is 0.20% or higher, you’re looking at spending fifteen days in the pen.
Jail time also becomes mandatory if an accident results and injuries are sustained because of your intoxication. Driving above the speed limit and weaving in & out of traffic also count as aggravating factors that warrant mandatory jail time even if you’re a first-time offender.
Conclusion
Driving under the influence is never celebrated in any state, and Virginia is no exception. The Old Dominion isn’t very lenient when dealing with such cases and allows your DUI charge to add points and taint your criminal record forever. The fine you pay depends on whether it’s your first DUI run-in with the police, among other factors. But, on average, you’re looking to pay anything between $250 and $2,500.
$250 is the minimum you will have to pay if you’re a first-time offender with a BAC of 0.08% and no other aggravating factors. If you make drunk driving a habit, the maximum fine goes up to $2,500 for third-time offenders. And, in this case, you’re considered a felon. Even with a first DUI conviction, attending mandatory VASAP classes is non-negotiable, and so is a 12-month license suspension. If your BAC is very high and reckless driving is in the mix, then jail time is probable.