The Creative, Successful, Experienced Fairfax VA DUI Lawyer Since 1987
Don’t Let a DUI Charge Ruin Your Life & Livelihood. Hire Fairfax DUI Lawyer Richard Bolger.
Phone 703-383-9595 Or Email Richard@BolgerLaw.com Now To Schedule Your Free Consultation With Mr. Bolger
A DUI charge is a life-altering case . . . but it doesn’t have to be a life-ruining case. Put yourself in the best position to defend yourself against a DUI charge in Fairfax VA. Get the experience, knowledge and wisdom of Mr. Richard O. Bolger, Esq., working on your case.
Why Virginia DUI Clients Trust Mr. Bolger Above Other Fairfax VA Attorneys
A Brief History of the DUI Lawyers of The Bolger Law Firm
Since his graduation from the Antonin Scalia School of Law at George Mason University in 1983, Mr. Bolger has been a practicing DUI attorney and criminal defense lawyer in the Fairfax County, Arlington County, and Greater Washington, D.C., areas. He founded The Bolger Law Firm in 1987 to practice law in Fairfax County, Virginia, focusing on his primary practice areas of bankruptcy, personal injury, real estate, and traffic law – particularly reckless driving, driving under the influence (DUI), and driving while intoxicated (DWI).
Armed with nearly 40 years of real-world experience in the representation clients from all walks of life in DUI and DWI cases, Mr. Bolger possesses a deep knowledge of Virginia code and the rights of the accused. There’s no type of DUI case he hasn’t seen, and his familiarity with Fairfax courts and prosecutors is one of the most valuable assets any DUI lawyer can offer.
Know your rights and mount the best defense against any DUI charges the Fairfax prosecutor alleges. Put Mr. Bolger’s wealth of experience and knowledge as a prominent Fairfax DUI and criminal defense attorney on your side. Phone or email to get a free consultation and to hire The Bolger Law Firm of Fairfax County, Virginia, as your DUI attorney.
Fighting DUI or DWI Charges? Don’t Go Into Court Alone!
You Know the Old Saying About Being Your Own Lawyer
If you needed surgery, you wouldn’t even think about being your own surgeon. The risks are too great, the procedure is too difficult, and the results could be too awful not to hire a trained, experienced medical professional.
It’s the exact same thing when dealing with DUI & DWI charges. Anyone entering the courtroom with pro se representation is just asking for trouble – such as imprisonment, monetary fines, license suspension, possible loss of custody of children, and even worse outcomes.
Fairfax prosecutors salivate at the very idea of people acting in their own defense, without the aid of DUI lawyers – and DUI convictions almost invariably result.
The Bolger Law Firm has no fools for clients. That’s because every client who’s hired our firm realizes the absolute necessity of having experienced, qualified, successful DUI attorneys by their side, confidently defending their rights and interests, standing with them every step of the way.
You don’t want to find out what would happen if you performed surgery on yourself – and you don’t want to know the results of a DUI charge in which you defend yourself. In either case, it’s not pretty.
Virginia code on DUI & DWI is a complex beast. Lawyers attend years of law school and keep up with continuing education for the express purpose of maintaining a thorough and complete knowledge of the law. Clients like you reap the benefits of that knowledge – and because of it, you put yourself in the best position to avoid DUI convictions and the terrible ramifications thereof.
What Does Virginia Law Say About DUI & DWI?
Punishments, Penalties, Suspensions & Fines Levied
As you might expect, Virginia code specifies a series of especially tough penalties in cases of DUI convictions, easily among the toughest in the nation. To wit:
Code 18.2-266 sets the law in the Commonwealth of Virginia that criminalizes the operation of a motor vehicle (including mopeds on Virginia highways and boats on Virginia waters). Anyone may be charged by a Fairfax prosecutor with a driving-while-intoxicated (DWI) case if they’re found in operation of a vehicle – moving or stationary – while their blood alcohol content (BAC) exceeds 0.08% (0.02% for persons under age 21).
Conviction from a case of a first DUI offense results in a maximum fine of $2,500.00, a jail term of up to 12 months, and license suspension of up to 12 months. If the BAC is determined to be in excess of 0.15%, conviction carries an additional penalty of a minimum of five days in jail. If the blood alcohol level is 0.20% or more, the mandatory minimum is 10 days in jail.
A second DUI criminal conviction within a five-year period carries a minimum 10-day jail sentence and license suspension of up to 36 months.
A third DUI criminal conviction within a 10-year period is a felony, and mandates between 90 days and five years of incarceration, in addition to loss of driver’s license for 36 months.
Subsequent to fulfilling all the terms of a DUI conviction, the person may then be required to install an ignition interlock device on all vehicles they may drive as a temporary condition of driving restrictions. Moreover, if the Fairfax VA court does not mandate the installation of an ignition interlock device, the Virginia Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) certainly will.
In Northern Virginia, dismissal of a DUI charge is highly unlikely, even on a first offense.
In addition, upon a DUI conviction the Fairfax County court will likely stipulate that the person participate in the Alcohol Safety Action Program (ASAP). The Alcohol Safety Action Program is a course designed to educate those convicted of DUI about the dangers of drunk driving and excessive drinking.
There’s some nuance to Virginia laws on DWI. For example, a 0.08% blood alcohol content need not be met in order for a DWI charge to be levied by police. Plus, refusing to submit to blood tests or breathalyzer results will automatically result in a 12-month license suspension.
Furthermore, the vehicle need not be in motion for a case of DWI to be under suspicion; it’s merely sufficient that the arresting officer determine you had “actual physical control” of the car while inebriated by alcohol or other drugs.
DUI & DWI Charges Could Result From More Than Alcohol
Virginia Cracks Down on Drunk and Drugged Driving
Typically, people think of a DUI and DWI case as “drunk driving.” That’s only partially true. It’s not uncommon for people to be arrested in Fairfax County for operating a motor vehicle under the influence of substances other than alcohol.
With the legalization of cannabis (marijuana) in Virginia, adults over age 21 can legally use that substance in private settings – but operating a motor vehicle under its influence is strictly forbidden and could result in a DUI or DWI charge by Fairfax police.
Additionally, driving on Virginia roads while under the influence of illegal narcotics is against the law, as is driving while impaired (in vision, in movements, or in reaction time) by prescription drugs is likewise a no-no.
Facing a DUI Charge in Fairfax VA? Contact The Bolger Law Firm Right Now
Ask for Your Free Consultation With the Top Fairfax VA DUI Lawyer
Whether you need a DUI attorney or criminal defense attorney in Fairfax VA, or you have a friend, family member or loved one who needs the representation of DUI lawyers in Fairfax, contact us without delay to request your free consultation. Fairfax police and prosecutors aren’t waiting to make their case – and neither should you.
We value the attorney/client relationship and promise to work diligently, creatively and exhaustively in pursuit of the most successful possible outcome, providing the best legal advice and in-court representation in the Fairfax VA area.
Call phone number 703-383-9595, email Richard@BolgerLaw.com, visit our office at 10347 Democracy Lane in Fairfax VA, or access and complete the contact form on the Contact Us page of our website, BolgerLaw.com.
Mr. Bolger is a licensed attorney in Virginia, Maryland, and the District of Columbia. Since 1987, The Bolger Law Firm has been one of the most highly decorated Fairfax VA attorneys in the practice areas of bankruptcy, traffic infractions, personal injury, real estate, and DUI defense. Mr. Bolger brings nearly 40 years in practice as a criminal defense lawyer – and of course as the premier Fairfax VA DUI lawyer.
Please note: The information provided on this webpage is in no way intended to be construed as legal advice in a DUI case or any other type of case. Call us at phone number 703-383-9595, email us at Richard@BolgerLaw.com, or fill in our website contact form to schedule a free consultation to discuss the particulars of your DUI case and to solicit representation and the best available advice from the preeminent Fairfax DUI lawyer, Richard O. Bolger, Esq.
