What to Expect After Your First DUI Conviction in Virginia

October 13, 2015 by Jean Humbrecht

DUI Virginia first offenseA conviction for a DUI in Virginia has serious and mandatory minimum penalties.  This post specifically focuses on the penalties for a DUI Virginia first offense conviction.

For more information on the penalties in Virginia for a second offense DUI in 5 years, click here.  For more information on the penalties for a second offense DUI in 10 years, click here. For more information on the penalties for a third offense DUI in 5 years, click here.  For more information on the penalties for a third offense DUI in 10 years, click here.  For more information on the penalties for a fourth offense DUI in 10 years, click here.  For more general information on DUI charges in Virginia, click here.

Penalties for DUI Virginia First Offense

The penalties for a DUI Virginia first offense include jail, fines, court costs, driver’s license revocation, enrollment in the Virginia Alcohol Safety Action Program (ASAP), Ignition Interlock installation (if the driver wants a restricted license), and DMV demerit points.

  • Jail: A DUI Virginia first offense is a Class 1 misdemeanor.  It is punished by up to 12 months in jail.  There is no mandatory minimum jail time for a first offense DUI in Virginia.  However, there are aggravating factors that will result in MANDATORY MINIMUM, active jail time, including high Blood Alcohol Content (BAC) and if a minor under the age of 17 was in the car.
  • Fines: If convicted of a DUI Virginia first offense, the driver will pay a mandatory minimum fine of $250 and the fine could be as high as $2500.  Drivers convicted of a DUI Virginia first offense will usually have some suspended fine in addition to the mandatory minimum fine.  A driver will also be fined between $500 and $1000 if there was a minor under 17 present in the car.
  • Court Costs: Anyone convicted of a Virginia DUI must pay court costs and failure to pay will result in driver’s license suspension.
  • Driver’s License Suspension/Revocation: A driver’s license will be automatically suspended for 7 days upon being arrested for a DUI with a BAC higher than .08 or if the driver refused to take a breathalyzer test.  This is called an administrative suspension (Va. Code §46.2-391.2).  Upon conviction of a first offense Virginia DUI, a Virginia driver’s license will be revoked for one year (Va. Code §18.2-271(A)).  The driver can apply for a restricted license which allows him to drive to a limited number of places.  A condition of the restricted license is participation in the Virginia ASAP program and installation of an Ignition Interlock.
  • Virginia ASAP: A driver convicted of a Virginia DUI first offense is required to complete the Virginia Alcohol Safety Action Program (ASAP).  ASAP requires weekly classes, payment of fees, and random drug and alcohol testing.
  • Ignition Interlock: A driver convicted of a Virginia DUI first offenses is prohibited from driving any car not equipped with an Ignition Interlock device.  Additionally, the driver cannot obtain a restricted driver’s license unless the Ignition Interlock has been installed in any car registered in the driver’s name.  For more information on Ignition Interlock requirements in Virginia, click here.
  • DMV Points: The DMV will add 6 demerit points to the offender’s Virginia driving record if convicted of a Virginia DUI.
  • DMV Record: The DUI conviction will remain on the driver’s Virginia driving record for 11 years.
  • Criminal Record: A first offense Virginia DUI is a Class 1 misdemeanor and a conviction will remain on the driver’s permanent criminal record.
Transporting Minor While Driving Under the Influence

If there was a minor under 17 present when the offender drove under the influence, he will be punished with a mandatory minimum of 5 days in jail and a mandatory minimum fine of $500 (Va. Code §18.2-270(D)).  For more information on transporting a minor while driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs in Virginia, click here.

High Blood Alcohol Content (BAC)

A driver will be punished with mandatory minimum jail time if his Blood Alcohol Content (BAC) was at certain elevated levels (Va. Code §18.2-270(A)).  If the driver’s BAC was between .15 and .20, he will serve a mandatory minimum of 5 days in jail.  If the BAC was over .20, he will serve a mandatory minimum of 10 days in jail.  Click here for more information on Blood Alcohol Content (BAC) in Virginia.

Refusal to Submit to a Breathalyzer in Virginia

A conviction for refusal to take a breathalyzer test in Virginia results in a civil penalty if it is a first offense (Va. Code §18.2-268.3).  It is punished with 12 months of driver’s license suspension with no restricted license.  A second refusal in 10 years is a crime.  It is a Class 2 misdemeanor, punished with up to 6 months in jail and a fine up to $1000.  A third refusal in 10 years is a Class 1 misdemeanor.  It is punished with up to 12 months in jail and a fine up to $2500.  The driver’s license will also be suspended for three years without the possibility of a restricted license for any criminal breathalyzer refusal conviction.  The jail time, fines, and driver’s license suspension for a refusal conviction are all IN ADDITION TO any penalties imposed for the DUI itself.

Click here for more information on breathalyzer refusal charges in Virginia.

Minimum and Maximum Penalties for DUI Virginia First Offense

DUI Virginia First Offense, No Elevated Blood Alcohol Content

  • MINIMUM
    • no minimum jail time
    • $250 fine (plus court costs)
    • driver’s license revocation for 12 months
    • Ignition Interlock
    • ASAP
    • 6 DMV points
    • (1) criminal conviction
  • MAXIMUM
    • 12 months jail
    • $2500 fine (plus court costs)
    • driver’s license revocation for 12 months
    • Ignition Interlock
    • ASAP
    • 6 DMV points
    • (1) criminal conviction

DUI Virginia First Offense, Transporting Minor

  • MINIMUM
    • 5 days jail
    • $750 fine (plus court costs)
    • driver’s license revocation for 12 months
    • Ignition Interlock
    • ASAP
    • 6 DMV points
    • (1) criminal conviction
  • MAXIMUM
    • 12 months in jail
    • $2500 fine (plus court costs)
    • driver’s license revocation for 12 months
    • Ignition Interlock
    • ASAP
    • 6 DMV points
    • (1) criminal conviction

DUI Virginia First Offense, BAC .15-.20

  • MINIMUM
    • 5 days jail
    • $250 fine (plus court costs)
    • driver’s license revocation for 12 months
    • Ignition Interlock
    • ASAP
    • 6 DMV points
    • (1) criminal conviction
  • MAXIMUM
    • 12 months jail
    • $2500 fine (plus court costs)
    • driver’s license revocation for 12 months
    • Ignition Interlock
    • ASAP
    • 6 DMV points
    • (1) criminal conviction

DUI Virginia First Offense, BAC .15-.20, Transporting Minor

  • MINIMUM
    • 10 days jail
    • $750 fine (plus court costs)
    • driver’s license revocation for 12 months
    • Ignition Interlock
    • ASAP
    • 6 DMV points
    • (1) criminal conviction
  • MAXIMUM
    • 12 months in jail
    • $2500 fine (plus court costs)
    • driver’s license revocation for 12 months
    • Ignition Interlock
    • ASAP
    • 6 DMV points
    • (1) criminal conviction

DUI Virginia First Offense, BAC Higher than .20

  • MINIMUM
    • 10 days jail
    • $250 fine (plus court costs)
    • driver’s license revocation for 12 months
    • Ignition Interlock
    • ASAP
    • 6 DMV points
    • (1) criminal conviction
  • MAXIMUM 
    • 12 months jail
    • $2500 fine (plus court costs)
    • driver’s license revocation for 12 months
    • Ignition Interlock
    • ASAP
    • 6 DMV points
    • (1) criminal conviction

DUI Virginia First Offense, BAC Higher than .20, Transporting Minor

  • MINIMUM
    • 15 days jail
    • $750 fine (plus court costs)
    • driver’s license revocation for 12 months
    • Ignition Interlock
    • ASAP
    • 6 DMV points
    • (1) criminal conviction
  • MAXIMUM
    • 12 months in jail
    • $2500 fine (plus court costs)
    • driver’s license revocation for 12 months
    • Ignition Interlock
    • ASAP
    • 6 DMV points
    • (1) criminal conviction

DUI Virginia First Offense, First Offense Breath Test Refusal 

  • MINIMUM
    • no minimum jail time
    • $250 fine (plus court costs)
    • driver’s license revocation for 2 years (no restricted license for at least 1 year)
    • Ignition Interlock
    • ASAP
    • DMV points: 6
    • (1) criminal conviction
  • MAXIMUM
    • 12 months jail
    • $2500 fine (plus court costs)
    • driver’s license revocation for 2 years (no restricted license for at least 1 year)
    • Ignition Interlock
    • ASAP
    • 6 DMV points
    • (1) criminal conviction

DUI Virginia First Offense, First Offense Breath Test Refusal, Transporting Minor

  • MINIMUM
    • 5 days jail
    • $750 fine (plus court costs)
    • driver’s license revocation for 2 years (no restricted license for at least 1 year)
    • Ignition Interlock
    • ASAP
    • 6 DMV points
    • (1) criminal conviction
  • MAXIMUM
    • 12 months jail
    • $2500 fine (plus court costs)
    • driver’s license revocation for 2 years (no restricted license for at least 1 year)
    • Ignition Interlock
    • ASAP
    • 6 DMV points
    • (1) criminal conviction

DUI Virginia First Offense, Second Offense Breath Test Refusal in 10 Years

  • MINIMUM
    • no minimum jail time
    • $250 fine (plus court costs)
    • driver’s license revocation for 4 years (no restricted license for at least 3 years)
    • Ignition Interlock
    • ASAP
    • 6 DMV points
    • (2) criminal convictions
  • MAXIMUM
    • 18 months jail
    • $3500 (plus court costs)
    • driver’s license revocation for 4 years (no restricted license for at least 3 years)
    • Ignition Interlock
    • ASAP
    • 6 DMV points
    • (2) criminal convictions

DUI Virginia First Offense, Second Offense Breath Test Refusal in 10 Years, Transporting Minor

  • MINIMUM
    • 5 days jail
    • $750 fine (plus court costs)
    • driver’s license revocation for 4 years (no restricted license for at least 3 years)
    • Ignition Interlock
    • ASAP
    • 6 DMV points
    • (2) criminal convictions
  • MAXIMUM
    • 18 months in jail
    • $3500 (plus court costs)
    • driver’s license revocation for 4 years (no restricted license for at least 3 years)
    • Ignition Interlock
    • ASAP
    • 6 DMV points
    • (2) criminal convictions

DUI Virginia First Offense, Third or Subsequent Breath Test Refusal in 10 years

  • MINIMUM
    • no minimum jail time
    • $250 fine (plus court costs)
    • driver’s license revocation for 4 years (no restricted license for at least 3 years)
    • Ignition Interlock
    • ASAP
    • 6 DMV points
    • (2) criminal convictions
  • MAXIMUM
    • 24 months jail
    • $5000 fine (plus court costs)
    • driver’s license revocation for 4 years (no restricted license for at least 3 years)
    • Ignition Interlock
    • ASAP
    • 6 DMV points
    • (2) criminal convictions

DUI Virginia First Offense, Third Offense Breath Test Refusal in 10 Years, Transporting Minor

  • MINIMUM
    • 5 days jail
    • $750 fine (plus court costs)
    • driver’s license revocation for 4 years (no restricted license for at least 3 years)
    • Ignition Interlock
    • ASAP
    • 6 DMV points
    • (2) criminal convictions
  • MAXIMUM
    • 24 months jail
    • $5000 fine (plus court costs)
    • driver’s license revocation for 4 years (no restricted license for at least 3 years)
    • Ignition Interlock
    • ASAP
    • 6 DMV points
    • (2) criminal convictions

 

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