DWI in Virginia

 

DWI is a serious crime. A first offense in Virginia is a Class 1 misdemeanor, punishable by up to a year in jail and a fine of up to $2,500. Simply being charged with DWI will commonly lead to an administrative license suspension before your trial. A conviction will also come with additional requirements, such as time spent attending VASAP classes, license suspensions, and ignition interlock devices. Depending on your Blood Alcohol Content (BAC), you may face mandatory jail time. Upon a first-offense conviction, a BAC of between .15 and .20 is punished with a mandatory 5 days in jail, while a BAC on a first offense of over .20 is punishable by a mandatory 10 days in jail. Subsequent convictions carry higher penalties and longer suspensions.