Third DUI Charges in Norfolk, VA

In Norfolk, third offense DUI charges are actually a felony. So they are heard in the general district court for the preliminary hearing and then the actual trial is heard in the Norfolk circuit court.

Due to the fact that this is a felony offense, prosecutors are going to be following the felony guidelines which are much harsher than misdemeanor offense guidelines that would be used in a first and second DUI case. As a result the consequences are going to be much worse if convicted, making it important that a Norfolk third DUI lawyer is contacted.

Read on to learn more about what to expect from a third time DUI offense and why you should contact a Norfolk DUI lawyer.

Penalties For a Third Offense DUI

For a third offense DUI within 10 years, since it’s a class 6 felony, the consequences are at least a $1000 fine and up to $2500 fine with a prison term of up to 5 years with a minimum jail sentence of 90 days in addition to an indefinite license suspension. If the third offense is within 5 years of the other offenses, then there is a mandatory minimum fine of $1000 and a mandatory minimum jail sentence of 6 months.  If it’s a fourth offense, then it’s a one year mandatory minimum jail sentence and a fine of $1000 minimum.
If you have higher BAC, then the penalties tend to be worse and also, if you had minors in your vehicle, then there are harsher consequences for that as well. Furthermore, it is also important to take into account that there is no probation or divergent programs that are available for any type of DUI charge in Norfolk so it is in your best interest to contact a Norfolk third DUI lawyer to build a strong defense.

How Treatment For a Third Time Offense Differs From First and Second Time Offenses

The treatment is different because with a first DUI, it’s will more acceptable for the judge to see it as somebody just having made a poor judgment call or a mistake that is unlikely to happen again.  For a second offense DUI depending on how long had passed since the first one, judges again are still going to be a little bit more understanding. However once a third DUI is put on the table, there is really no leniency from the judges.  As a third DUI lawyer in Norfolk can tell you, there is no judge that is going to be understanding of somebody who has committed the same dangerous mistakes three times in a row even if the first one or two were a long time ago.

Also because it’s a felony, there is going to need to be some really strong, persuasive evidence to show that this is not a trend and that it is just a series of mishaps. Otherwise, it is very unlikely that any type of reduction is going to happen.

Your License After a Third Time DUI Offense

For a third offense DUI in Norfolk, your license will be suspended indefinitely and you have to wait 3 years before a restricted license is even possible. With that said, if you conviction is not upheld then your license will be reinstated and you will get your privilege to drive back. To learn more about potential penalties against your license consult with a Norfolk third DUI lawyer today.

Contacting a Norfolk Third DUI Lawyer

Due to the severity with which felonies are treated in Norfolk it is imperative that you consult with a Norfolk third offense DUI lawyer as soon as possible. Call today and schedule a free consultation to learn more about what an attorney can do for you.