Prince WIlliam County Criminal Defense Lawyer

Aggressive Criminal Defense Services

Most people have been on the wrong side of the law at some point in their life. However, the vast majority of people have only been charged with minor offenses, such as a ticket for a broken taillight or a parking citation. Even though most of us do not know what it is like to be charged with a serious crime, we all understand to some degree the fear that a person can feel when they are charged with a crime. No matter what that crime is, while you may have a good idea about how things will unfold, you do not know for certain how things will turnout. Depending on what crime you were charged with, that is scary. Maybe you just have to pay a fine, or maybe you will clear your name. Or maybe you will have to serve time in prison.

When you are facing uncertainty like that, and consequences that range from minor to life-altering, you need an attorney on your side who has a proven track record of success helping people facing similar circumstances.

Reckless Driving

When we hear the term ‘reckless driving,’ many of us think of someone driving out of control without any regard for anyone else on the road. While this can be the case sometimes, in many instances, a person charged with reckless driving may have simply been caught doing something that many of us have done behind the wheel before as well, like:

• Changing lanes without signaling
• Speeding
• Tailgating

The above are examples of displaying dangerous behavior while driving, which is one of two reasons someone could be charged with reckless driving. The other reason a person could be charged with reckless driving is if they are in a traffic accident. This is because nearly any motor vehicle accident could lead to a driver being charged with reckless driving.

Regardless of why a driver was charged with reckless driving, the penalties include the following:

• A license suspension of up to 6 months
• Up to a year in prison
• Up to a $2,500 fine

A reckless driving conviction can also remain on your criminal record for the rest of your life and on your driving record for up to 11 years.

DWI

Like the rest of Virginia, Prince William County does not treat DWI and driving under the influence (DUI) differently. They are both considered drunk driving and carry the same level of consequences, and in Virginia those consequences can be severe. Virginia has very harsh DWI laws. In fact, they are some of the harshest in the county. Despite that, there have been recent law changes that have allowed for some leniency. In some cases, DWI charges can be deferred, and even dismissed, but it is at the prosecutor’s discretion whether the charges can be dismissed or deferred. And it is rare that a prosecutor allows a DWI case to be dismissed or deferred.

The punishments for a DWI conviction in Virginia, as stated earlier, are strict, including the following:

• Up to a $2,500 fine
• Up to 1 year in prison
• Driver’s license suspension for up to 12 months
• Restricted driver’s license for three years following 12-month license suspension
• Requirement to complete Victim Impact Panel
• Installation of ignition interlock device on offender’s vehicle for up to three years following 12-month license suspension
• Requirement to complete Virginia Alcohol Safety Action Program (VASAP/ASAP)
• Vehicle seizure and forfeiture to the Commonwealth of Virginia

In addition, repeated DWIs can result in more severe penalties. A person’s first or second DWI charge is considered a class one misdemeanor. If a person is charged with a third or fourth DWI, it is categorized as a felony, which includes much more serious punishments than a misdemeanor.

Schedule a Free Consultation with a Prince William County, VA Reckless Driving & DWI Lawyer

If you have been charged with reckless driving or DWI, you could suffer serious consequences if you are convicted of those offenses, including hefty fines and possible prison time. These are serious traffic offenses, and you need someone in your corner who knows what they are doing and who has successfully helped others facing similar charges. Bottomline, your future is at stake and life as you know it could be a thing of the past if you don’t hire the right criminal defense attorney. An experienced criminal defense lawyer can protect your rights and put together a defense plan that is capable of helping you secure the best possible outcome to your situation.

At Dischley Law PLLC, for years, we have been helping clients facing criminal charges in Prince William County. Our criminal defense attorneys have more than 30 combined years of legal experience. Our combination of knowledge, skills, and experience have enabled us to successfully guide our clients through some of the most difficult moments of their lives.

Every lawyer at our firm has experience as a prosecutor, which gives them an advantage as defense attorneys, because they know the strategies the other side is likely to use. Our attorneys are also skilled at reviewing cases, developing defense strategies, and thwarting the prosecution’s tactics at every turn. Because of this, our clients can rest assured knowing that in many cases we will be a step ahead of the prosecution from start to finish.

For more information about Dischley Law PLLC, read what our clients had to say about us in their reviews and check out our case results.

To schedule a free, confidential consultation with one of our Prince William County and Manassas, VA criminal defense attorneys, call us at (703) 215-9337 or contact us online.