Criminal Defense Lawyers

• Most VA courthouses are separated into Juvenile and Domestic Relations Courts, General District Courts, and Circuit Courts.

• Some courthouses will also contain the local area Commonwealth’s Attorneys’ Office and may contain some local area Bar Association Offices

• Most Misdemeanor DWI or DUI Charges are heard in the General District Courts

• If you have been charged with a Felony DUI or DWI then your case will be heard in the Circuit Court.

• Most courthouses will not let you bring in your cell phone so leave it in the car. Some courthouses have lockers which you can pay to store your phone during your drunk driving case, but you will need to have change with you.

Virginia Beach Courts

• Virginia Beach Juvenile & Domestic Relations Court, Virginia Beach General District Court, and Virginia Beach Circuit Court are all located in the same building at 2425 Nimmo Parkway, Virginia Beach Virginia 23456

Chesapeake Courts

• Chesapeake Juvenile & Domestic Relations Court is located separately from Chesapeake General District Court and Chesapeake Circuit Court.

• Chesapeake Juvenile & Domestic Relations Court is located at 301 Albemarle Drive, Chesapeake, Virginia 23322

• Chesapeake General District Courts and Chesapeake Circuit Courts are located at 307 Albemarle Drive, Chesapeake, Virginia 23322

Norfolk Courts

• Norfolk Juvenile & Domestic Relations Court is located separately from Norfolk General District Court and Norfolk Circuit Court, however, a new law building was just built for the Norfolk Courthouses and all will be held in the same building in the near future.

• Norfolk Juvenile & Domestic Relations Court is located at 800 East City Hall Avenue, Norfolk, Virginia 23510

• Norfolk General District Court and Norfolk Circuit Court is located at 150 St Paul’s Blvd, Norfolk, Virginia 23510

The main drunk driving code is the Virginia Code Section 18.2-266 , titled “Driving motor vehicle, engine, etc., while intoxicated, etc.” which reads:

It shall be unlawful for any person to drive or operate any motor vehicle, engine or train (i) while such person has a blood alcohol concentration of 0.08 percent or more by weight by volume or 0.08 grams or more per 210 liters of breath as indicated by a chemical test administered as provided in this article, (ii) while such person is under the influence of alcohol, (iii) while such person is under the influence of any narcotic drug or any other self-administered intoxicant or drug of whatsoever nature, or any combination of such drugs, to a degree which impairs his ability to drive or operate any motor vehicle, engine or train safely, (iv) while such person is under the combined influence of alcohol and any drug or drugs to a degree which impairs his ability to drive or operate any motor vehicle, engine or train safely, or (v) while such person has a blood concentration of any of the following substances at a level that is equal to or greater than: (a) 0.02 milligrams of cocaine per liter of blood, (b) 0.1 milligrams of methamphetamine per liter of blood, (c) 0.01 milligrams of phencyclidine per liter of blood, or (d) 0.1 milligrams of 3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine per liter of blood. A charge alleging a violation of this section shall support a conviction under clauses (i), (ii), (iii), (iv), or (v).

For the purposes of this article, the term “motor vehicle” includes mopeds, while operated on the public highways of this VA Commonwealth.

Essentially, this means that there is a presumption of intoxication once your blood alcohol concentration reaches 0.08%. But, based on your specific DUI circumstances, we can push back on those numbers, stating that someone can be found effectively driving intoxicated at below the 0.08% level and not intoxicated at all even if you’re above 0.08%. If you are caught driving while intoxicated, you can be charged with a criminal offense and will benefit from having a defense attorney represent your case in court.

The prosecuting criminal DUI lawyer has two ways to secure a conviction for a DWI or DUI case in VA:

• They must be able to prove that the individual had a blood alcohol concentration of 0.08% or higher while driving.

• They must be able to prove that the vehicle was being operated under the influence of drugs, alcohol, or any other combination.

An officer can arrest you for DUI if your BAC is at or over the following while driving:

• 21 years old and above: 0.08 percent

• Younger than 21 years of age: 0.02 percent

• Commercial drivers: 0.04 percent

Our DUI defense lawyers have helped thousands of clients win their cases. Your case could be next by calling for a free consultation for one of our Virginia DUI lawyers.

We’ve helped thousands of clients win their cases. Your case could be next by calling for a free consultation with one of DUI defense attorneys.

Free Consultation 888-402-7117