VirginiaDriving Laws/Info
VirginiaVehicle Hazard Rates
Car accidents:
In Virginia the number of fatalities due to car accidents was 824 in 2008. Out of all of the motor vehicle accidents, 365 of these deaths, or 44%, involved alcohol impairment.
DUI Prevalence:
26,023 DUI arrests in 2007.
Traffic Jam Info: clickhere for details
First Virginia DUI Conviction
- Jail – At least 5 Days (If Passenger under 18 in Vehicle)
- Jail – 5 Day Sentence (If Blood Alcohol Level .15-.20)
- Jail – 10 Day Sentence (If Blood Alcohol Level above .20)
- Fine – At least $250 - **Add between $500-$1,000, If Passenger under 18 in Vehicle
- License Suspension for at least 1 Year
- Ignition Interlock Device Required (If Blood Alcohol Level .15 or Above)
- Required to Complete Alcohol Safety Action Program
Second Virginia DUI Conviction
- Jail – Between 20 Days Min. to 1 Year (If Less Than 5 Years of Previous)
- Jail – Add at least 5 Days to sentence if passenger under 18 in vehicle Minimum
- Second Offense within 5-10 Years of Previous
- Jail – At least 10 Days Minimum, could be up to 1 Month
- Jail – Add 10 Days to sentence – If your Blood Alcohol Level .15-.20)
- Jail – Add 20 Days to sentence – If your Blood Alcohol Level above .20)
- Jail – Add 5 Days sentence - If there was a Passenger under 18 in Vehicle)
- License Suspended for at least 3 Years
- Ignition Interlock Device Required Upon Reinstatement
- Fine – at least $500
- Fine – An additional $500-$1,000 , If Passenger under 18 found in Vehicle
- Fine – at least a $50 Trauma Center Fund
- Necessary to complete Alcohol Safety Action Program
Third Virginia DUI Conviction
- Jail – at least 6 Months - if Within 5 Years of Previous incident
- Jail – at least 90 days - If Within 10 Years of Previous incident
- Jail – Add 5 Days Minimum Additional time if Passenger under 18 is found in Vehicle
- Fine - $1,000 Minimum
- Fine - $50 Trauma Center Fund
- License will be suspended indefinitely* **May Petition Court after 5 Years
- Ignition Interlock Device Required (If License Reinstated)
Virginia Speeding Ticket Info
Generally speaking, in Virginia, traffic fines are paid to the General District Court. There are certain cases where, if the driver is a juvenile, the case may be handled by the Juvenile and Domestic Relations District Court. There are many violations where you have the option of pleading guilty. When you do this, you're essentially waiving your right to trial, and are able to prepay court fees and original fines without actually having to go to court. This payment can be made online, in person, or through the mail. Prepayment is generally required within 15 days of the actual offense.
What If I Don't Agree With My Ticket?
You can always choose to plead "Not Guilty" and fight your ticket. In order to do this, you must show up on the date and time of your trial. This information can be located on the actual ticket. Depending on the charge, you may want to consider hiring legal representation by getting an attorney. If the Judge decides to, they can try you without your physical presence, at which point you would receive something in the mail notifying you of the verdict as well as any owed fines. If you neglect to pay or show up for court, a warrant under the charge: Failure to appear, will be issued, and you will be made to appear in court for that charge on top of the original ticket.
