Yes, you may be convicted of driving under the influence (DUI) or driving while intoxicated (DWI) in the Commonwealth of Virginia even if you weren’t involved in an accident. It is against the law to drive while intoxicated regardless of whether or not you cause a crash. Even if there was no collision, property damage, injuries, or deaths associated with your charge of drunk driving, your first DUI conviction may result in a Class 1 misdemeanor on your record. It may also result in a fine, restrictions on your license, jail time, and other significant consequences.
The Legal Consequences May Be Worse If Someone is Seriously Hurt or Killed in the Crash
If you are charged with drunk driving in an accident that caused a serious injury or fatality, then you may be facing felony charges. The consequences of a felony charge may include significant time in prison, license revocation, and other penalties that could impact your ability to get a job or your right to vote.
You Need to Take Any DUI Charge Seriously
While the consequences of a DUI may be more significant if someone was hurt or killed in the crash, the consequences of a DUI with no accident are still significant and may still have a serious impact on your life.
Accordingly, it is important that you are represented by an experienced drunk driving defense lawyer if you are charged with any drunk driving crime in Virginia. A lawyer who is trained to use and understand the sobriety tests used by the police and who has represented many other people charged with drunk driving in Virginia may be able to help you defend yourself against the serious charges that you face.
The time to take action is now. Contact a lawyer as soon as you can to make sure that all of your rights are protected. The Wilson Law Firm offers free consultations on DUI defense cases. To schedule your meeting, please call us or reach out to us via this website.
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