Fighting Second and Subsequent Drinking and Driving Charges
If you've been charged with driving while intoxicated (DWI) when you already have one or more convictions on your record, you could be facing harsh penalties, including mandatory jail time. It is important to contact a lawyer who is experienced at fighting repeat DWI charges.
I'm Lance D. Gardner, a Fairfax-based attorney with more than 25 years of criminal defense experience. I offer honest advice and aggressive representation to clients charged with repeat DWI offenses. Don't hesitate to contact me to schedule a free consultation.
Choosing a Strategy to Avoid or Reduce Serious Penalties
Because repeat DWI offenders are considered more dangerous than people caught drinking and driving once, the penalties for second and subsequent offenses are much more severe than the penalties for first offenses. The following are some of the major consequences:
- Second offense: If you are convicted of DWI for a second time within five years, you will receive a mandatory minimum jail sentence of 20 days, and you will need to use an ignition interlock device after you regain your driver's license.
- Third or subsequent offense: Any DWI conviction after the second is a felony, which permanently impacts your voting rights, gun rights and more. Jail sentences and driver's license consequences are also increasingly harsh with each repeat DWI conviction.
It is very rare for Northern Virginia prosecutors to offer plea bargain agreements to people charged with repeat DWI offenses. Depending on the facts of your case, it may be necessary to go to trial in order to most effectively fight your serious criminal charges.
I have been practicing criminal defense law in Virginia since 1983 and have tried many cases before juries. If you've been charged with a second or subsequent DWI offense, contact me today to discuss what I can do to protect your rights.
