At this time, there exists no established test to determine if a motorist is too high on marijuana to operate a vehicle safely. However, since recreational weed is now allowed in Virginia, more residents than ever face DUI convictions for drugged driving. With the...
DUI
What if you drive when you don’t know you’ve been drugged?
One thing to remember is that you can face a charge for driving under the influence if you are impaired by any kind of intoxicating substance, drugs included. However, if you didn’t know that you took a drug that would influence how you would react to your...
What you need to know about Virginia drunk-driving checkpoints
Drunk driving checkpoints can be a serious inconvenience, especially when you’re in a hurry. They’re even more inconvenient when they result in people going to jail who otherwise would never have interacted with the police. When you see one coming up in the road ahead...
Common defenses in DUI cases
Many drunk driving cases in Virginia and around the country are resolved in the same way: Toxicology evidence is used to establish intoxication, and the defendant then pleads guilty in return for charging or sentencing concessions. However, there are situations where...
Talking to your children about the dangers of drunk driving
If you are a parent of a teenager or young adult, you probably know that initiating a discussion about sensitive subjects is not easy. Listening to Mom or Dad and taking their advice is not always what they feel like doing. Sometimes, however, having those talks is...
Problems with DUI charges for chemicals other than alcohol
Most people associate alcohol with a DUI charge in Virginia, but that is not always the case: Individuals who are under prescribed medications or using illegal drugs could be charged with driving under the influence as well. Much of the evidence is typically officer...
What makes the police pull someone over on suspicion of drunk driving?
Police officers who are patrolling the streets watch for signs that a driver is impaired so they can initiate a traffic stop to determine what’s going on. They can’t stop a vehicle for no reason at all. Instead, they need to have reasonable suspicion that the driver...
Drunk driving penalties in Virginia
Drunk driving laws are enforced strictly in Virginia. Motorists are considered too impaired to operate a motor vehicle safely when they have blood alcohol concentrations of .08 or higher, but DUI charges can also be filed against drivers with no alcohol in their...
Man pleads guilty to manslaughter, DUI in Virginia
A 37-year-old Virginia man pleaded guilty to aggravated involuntary manslaughter in connection with a March 2020 car accident. He also pleaded guilty to a charge of DUI for the same incident. According to media reports, the man and a 38-year-old male passenger were...
The purpose of the preliminary hearing
Those who are charged with DUI have the right to plead guilty and go straight to the sentencing portion of their cases. However, individuals may also choose to plead not guilty and have their fates decided by a Virginia judge or by a jury. In some cases, a plea...
