Harrisonburg DUI Lawyer

Fighting for Your Rights as a Motorist

Traffic Offenses

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If you’ve been charged with driving under the influence in Harrisonburg, Virginia, you have reason to be concerned. Virginia DUI penalties are harsh. A conviction will leave you with a permanent criminal record, and affect your driving privileges as well as your vehicle insurance rates.

Because of this, you should never agree to plead guilty to drunk driving in Virginia without legal representation from an experienced criminal defense attorney who’ll also create a plan of action. Bob Keefer has practiced in Harrisonburg for over 40 years and has knowledge of various defenses that may work based on your situation and the judge presiding over your case.

Why Clients Turn to Experienced Attorney Keefer

Virginia DUI Conviction Consequences

DUI convictions in Virginia are not only serious but have lasting consequences. You should evaluate these consequences before pleading guilty:

First DUI offense penalty (class 1 misdemeanor):

  • 1-year license revocation
  • A $250 minimum fine
  • Possible mandatory jail sentence depending on BAC

And if there’s an underage passenger in the vehicle, you may get an additional:

  • Mandatory 5 days jail time
  • Fine between $500 and $1,000

Second DUI Offense Penalties

  • A $500 minimum fine
  • Driver’s license revocation for three years
  • Possible 12 months in jail
  • If the second criminal conviction is within five years of the first offense, there’s a mandatory 20+ days jail term. If it’s within the first ten years, you get 10 days in jail

You can be charged with underage DUI if you are under 21 and record a BAC level between 0.02 and 0.08 (the adult limit). Underage offenders face:

  • Driving license suspension for 12 months
  • A minimum $500 fine
  • Community service of 50+ hours

If an underage surpasses the adult legal limit, they face criminal charges for driving under the influence instead of an underage drinking charge.

Aside from the above, you may also lose your security clearance, and ability to travel to some countries or rent a vehicle. Unfortunately, the justice system isn’t obligated to inform you of all of these consequences before taking your plea.

What is Virginia’s Implied Consent Law?

Virginia’s Implied consent Law states that anyone driving on public roads in Virginia automatically consents to submit to breath and blood tests and is arrested for drunk driving within three hours of operating a vehicle.

However, there’s often confusion about when one can refuse to submit to the tests. Generally, you have the right to turn down a preliminary breathalyzer test (PBT) and field sobriety tests. Refusing to take these tests won’t attract penalties, but the police officer may still arrest you.

You cannot refuse to submit to an evidentiary breathalyzer test (chemical test) that a professional administers at the police station without consequences. Refusal of these tests may attract additional charges and harsher punishments.

The first-time breathalyzer test refusal is punishable by license revocation for a year, and subsequent refusals can carry 12 months in jail, license revocation for a year, and a $2,500 fine.

Law enforcement officers aren’t obligated to allow you to call an experienced criminal defense law firm such as the Keefer Law Firm, during or after an arrest. So, you’ll decide to accept or refuse a breath or blood test on your own. Whatever choice you make, contact our Harrisonburg DUI lawyer Robert Keefer to start preparing your defense.

Get Yourself Effective and Aggressive Defense Today

At Keefer Law Firm, our criminal defense lawyers work closely with you offering legal advice and helping you understand your options with the DUI charges they’re facing. We take pride in being transparent and upfront with potential outcomes but work hard to deliver positive outcomes on criminal matters.

If you have questions about the legal process, our experienced lawyers will explain everything in simple terms. You can reach us at (540) 433-6906 or fill out our contact form.

When You Need a Traffic Lawyer,
Keefer Law Firm Can Help.
  • Attorney Keefer is one of the few people in Virginia to call himself a NHTSA Certified Field Sobriety Instructor.
  • He has completed the DOT Certified Breath Technician course on the EC/IR II, Virginia’s breath tester for evidence.
  • He was a founding member of the DUI Defense Lawyers Association and is a member of the National College for DUI Defense.
  • Attorney Keefer has more than 40 years of experience providing legal representation throughout Virginia.
  • Our office contains the Alco-Sensor III, which is also used by law enforcement for preliminary breath testing.
  • We offer free consultations for traffic offense and DUI cases.
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Call Keefer Law Firm at (540) 433-6906