Virginia DUI/DWI and Criminal Defense Lawyers 703-916-1227: December 2015

Thursday, December 24, 2015

Virginia DUI Attorney: Campaigns Warning Against Drunk Driving in Full Force as New Years Holiday Approaches

The New Years’ holiday is by far responsible for the most drunk driving related arrests and citations. Anti-Drunk Driving campaigns are ramping up as 2016 approaches. A majority of people ring in the new year with a champagne toast, a celebratory shot, or some other alcoholic beverage. It is their next choice that gets them in trouble: driving home. Due to so many people being out at bars and restaurants on New Years’ Eve, it is difficult to get a taxi, Uber, or Lyft without having to wait a long time. However, that cannot be an excuse for electing to drive drunk. Do not become a statistic, or worse, responsible for an innocent person’s death.

Law enforcement officials throughout Virginia will be out in full force monitoring the roads for drunk drivers. It just is not worth it to drive drunk. The consequences include: being arrested, confiscation of your driver’s license and privilege to drive, mandatory installment of an ignition interlock device in your vehicle, fines, and/or jail time. The consequences vary depending on whether it is your first, second, third, or more offense.

If you do make the poor decision to drive under the influence and are stopped by Virginia police, our attorneys can help mitigate the consequences, especially if it is a first offense and you did not contribute to an accident. Many people do not understand the severity of a DUI arrest or citation and choose not to seek legal representation and that is a mistake. As the consequences listed above show, DUI is not some minor offense and should always be taken seriously.

If you are charged with DUI or DWI in Virginia and would like a free legal consultation or if you would like more information on DUI or DWI please feel free to contact our office at (703) 916-1227 and schedule an appointment at our office in Vienna or throughout Virginia, or visit us on the web at http://www.portnerandshure.com/Criminal-Defense/DWI-DUI/

Wednesday, December 9, 2015

Vienna DUI Attorney: Increase in Traffic Deaths Caused by Drunk Drivers

Nationwide, fatal car accidents are happening at an alarming rate with the culprits being distracted drivers and drunk drivers. This trend is also true in Virginia. Due to an increase this year in traffic deaths on Virginia roadways, Virginia State Police are increasing DUI patrols as the holidays approach. Police want people to “Drive to Save Lives.” For example, just in the week surrounding Thanksgiving, nine people died on Virginia highways. What is even more alarming is that only one of those people was wearing a seatbelt. Even though seatbelts do not guarantee a person survives an accident, they do however dramatically increase the likelihood of survival.

This year in Virginia, 19 more people have lost their lives due to traffic crashes than last year. Virginia Police are trying to do whatever it takes to protect drivers from fatal accidents. While police will be focusing on drunk drivers and reckless drivers, they will also be on the lookout for drivers who are not using a seatbelt. Driving to save lives can only happen if drivers use seatbelts, pay attention while driving, and choose not to drink and drive. Police officers can only do so much to save lives. It is up to drivers to actually take action in order for positive change to occur.

All of these fatalities on Virginia roadways are preventable. Police hate seeing these types of accidents keep occurring, and now they have been forced to implement a zero tolerance crackdown on several behaviors. Warnings will no longer be handed out by police, and instead, citations will be given to drivers who are caught violating one of these deadly-accident-causing offenses.