What are the punishments for a Felony DUI in Fairfax County?

Criminal Defense Attorneys Serving Fairfax, Leesburg & Manassas, Virginia

 

What are the punishments for a Felony DUI in Fairfax County?

In Fairfax County, a person charged with a felony DUI can expect the prosecutor’s office to be aggressive and ask for harsh penalties.

A third conviction for DUI within a ten-year period is a Class 6 felony. A conviction for a DUI if you have ever been conviction previously of a felony DUI is also a felony (this goes beyond the ten-year period). While a Class 6 felony is the lowest level felony, it still comes with harsh penalties.

The punishments for a Fairfax Felony DUI charge can include:

Prison. There is a mandatory minimum prison sentence of six months if the person is convicted of a third offense within five years or 90 days in jail if the conviction is within 10 years. The maximum sentence is five years, but it is rare for someone to actively serve five years for a felony DUI in Fairfax. Most Fairfax judges will impose more than the minimum sentence, but they will suspend that sentence and hold it over your head to ensure compliance with probation.

If you are convicted of a felony DUI in Fairfax after having been previously convicted of a felony DUI the mandatory minimum sentence is one year, with a five-year maximum sentence. Fairfax judges will treat people much more harshly if they have prior felony DUI convictions.

A felony Fairfax DUI conviction also carries fines up to $2500.00.

A felony conviction for a Fairfax DUI also affects your civil rights, including your right to vote and to own firearms. 

A felony Fairfax DUI conviction also results in the DMV imposing an indefinite suspension of your ability to drive. After three years, you can petition for a restricted license and for full restoration after five years.

DUI lawyers Alex Gordon and Carlos Wall understand the long-term ramifications of both a misdemeanor and felony DUI charges in Fairfax County. We have decades of experience helping people charged with these offenses in Fairfax and throughout northern Virginia and we look forward to putting that experience to work for you.

Call us now for a free consultation at 703.218.8416.