what happens after a second dui?

If you have previously been charged with a convicted of a DUI, then you already know just how major an impact it has on your life. Now, if you are facing charges for a second DUI, then you might already have an idea of the penalties you could be facing. They will be much more severe than the penalties for a first-time DUI.

That is why it is so important that you find legal representation the minute that you have been accused of driving under the influence. An experienced Virginia Beach DUI lawyer may be your best bet at protecting your rights and even reducing the severity of your charges.

The maximum penalties for a second DUI in Virginia are as follows:

• $500 fine
• Driver’s license revocation for 3 years
• Participation in an Alcohol Safety Action Program (ASAP)
• Jail for up to 1 year, and minimum of 10 days if convicted within the last 10 years
• Mandatory installation of an Ignition Interlock device (IID)

Perhaps what makes a second DUI conviction than a first conviction is receiving a court order to to install the Ignition Interlock Device (IID) on one’s vehicle. Because of the severity of DUI’s, the courts can and do find it an appropriate punishment for the offense. This is one of the ways your freedoms are limited after a conviction, as you will not even be able to leave your house and drive without the reminder of the incident.

How Can an Attorney Help Me?

It is so important to have a Virginia Beach DUI attorney working on your case, particularly because the legal system can be incredibly daunting to face on your own. An attorney is your representative and defends you. An attorney can negotiate a plea bargain with prosecutors on your case. It may be possible to get the charges reduced or even dropped, or at the very least, fight to receive probation in lieu of jail time. There are many possibilities for defense, so we urge you to reach out to George Holton Yates as soon as possible to begin working on your case.

Our Virginia Beach criminal defense firm offers free case consultations to help get you started. Be sure to contact us today to request yours!