chazwicke
06-02-2004, 03:17 PM
I pilfered this post from another email I received. It is getting scary out there. I heard that Madd is now trying to push for a nationwide .05 limit. Down from .08.
anyway here is the pilferred post:
Subject: [DC-Beer] Tougher DUI laws in effect in VA 1 July
Take heed. "Zero-tolerance" DUI and DWI laws take effect in Virginia
beginning 1 July. The laws establish new mandatory jail sentences and
allow courts to confiscate vehicles from repeat offenders and impose
additional fines.
ALL arrests for DUI (.08+) will be immediately listed in an
individual’s CRIMINAL record.
First-time DUI convictions will carry a minimum mandatory fine of $250.
DUI offenders can be required to reimburse cities and counties up to
$250 for firefighting, rescue and emergency services. Failure to pay
reimbursement for a locality’s costs will result in a driver’s license
suspension and vehicle registration cancellation.
Law-enforcement officers can arrest an individual involved in a vehicle
crash within three hours WITHOUT a warrant and at any location if there
is probable cause to suspect the person is intoxicated.
Magistrates are no longer required to explain the consequences of
refusing a blood or breath test to someone who has already been
informed by an arresting officer.
Anyone who unreasonably(?) refuses to submit to a blood or breath test
may be subject to criminal punishment.
************************
Higher BA levels and repeat offenders:
People caught with a blood-alcohol level of .15 or greater face five
days of mandatory jail time, even if they are first-time
offenders.
Those with a blood-alcohol level of .20 face a 10-day sentence. The
thresholds for mandatory sentences under current law are .20 and .25,
respectively.
A second conviction within five years carries an increased mandatory
minimum sentence of 20 days, up from five.
A second conviction within 10 years carries a minimum sentence of 10
days.
A third conviction within five years carries a minimum sentence of 180
days, up from 30.
A third conviction within 10 years carries a minimum sentence of 90
days, up from 60.
People convicted of three DUI offenses within five years will be
refused bail if they are charged with a new offense.
Courts can order the forfeiture of a drunken driver’s car after a third
or subsequent conviction.
Repeat drunken drivers will be fined an additional $50.
A convicted drunken driver’s license will be revoked for 30 days or
until trial for a second alleged offense and 60 days or until trial for
a third alleged offense.
A convicted DUI driver who received a restricted driver’s license
following a conviction where his or her blood alcohol level was .15 or
greater must use an ignition-interlock device, which does not allow the
car to start until the driver’s breath is tested.
A person stopped within five years after a DUI conviction who is using
a restricted license and has a blood-alcohol level of 0.2 percent will
be charged with a misdemeanor and will face a license suspension for at
least one year and a fine up to $2,500.
A repeat offender who refuses to take a blood-alcohol test at any time
within 10 years after an initial conviction will be charged with a
misdemeanor and face up to six months in jail and a $1,000 fine. If the
individual has two or more previous convictions within 10 years, the
maximum sentence is 12 months and a $2,500 fine. Anyone convicted of
DUI who violates the requirements of a restricted driver’s license
faces up to 12 months in jail, a $2,500 fine and loss of the license.
anyway here is the pilferred post:
Subject: [DC-Beer] Tougher DUI laws in effect in VA 1 July
Take heed. "Zero-tolerance" DUI and DWI laws take effect in Virginia
beginning 1 July. The laws establish new mandatory jail sentences and
allow courts to confiscate vehicles from repeat offenders and impose
additional fines.
ALL arrests for DUI (.08+) will be immediately listed in an
individual’s CRIMINAL record.
First-time DUI convictions will carry a minimum mandatory fine of $250.
DUI offenders can be required to reimburse cities and counties up to
$250 for firefighting, rescue and emergency services. Failure to pay
reimbursement for a locality’s costs will result in a driver’s license
suspension and vehicle registration cancellation.
Law-enforcement officers can arrest an individual involved in a vehicle
crash within three hours WITHOUT a warrant and at any location if there
is probable cause to suspect the person is intoxicated.
Magistrates are no longer required to explain the consequences of
refusing a blood or breath test to someone who has already been
informed by an arresting officer.
Anyone who unreasonably(?) refuses to submit to a blood or breath test
may be subject to criminal punishment.
************************
Higher BA levels and repeat offenders:
People caught with a blood-alcohol level of .15 or greater face five
days of mandatory jail time, even if they are first-time
offenders.
Those with a blood-alcohol level of .20 face a 10-day sentence. The
thresholds for mandatory sentences under current law are .20 and .25,
respectively.
A second conviction within five years carries an increased mandatory
minimum sentence of 20 days, up from five.
A second conviction within 10 years carries a minimum sentence of 10
days.
A third conviction within five years carries a minimum sentence of 180
days, up from 30.
A third conviction within 10 years carries a minimum sentence of 90
days, up from 60.
People convicted of three DUI offenses within five years will be
refused bail if they are charged with a new offense.
Courts can order the forfeiture of a drunken driver’s car after a third
or subsequent conviction.
Repeat drunken drivers will be fined an additional $50.
A convicted drunken driver’s license will be revoked for 30 days or
until trial for a second alleged offense and 60 days or until trial for
a third alleged offense.
A convicted DUI driver who received a restricted driver’s license
following a conviction where his or her blood alcohol level was .15 or
greater must use an ignition-interlock device, which does not allow the
car to start until the driver’s breath is tested.
A person stopped within five years after a DUI conviction who is using
a restricted license and has a blood-alcohol level of 0.2 percent will
be charged with a misdemeanor and will face a license suspension for at
least one year and a fine up to $2,500.
A repeat offender who refuses to take a blood-alcohol test at any time
within 10 years after an initial conviction will be charged with a
misdemeanor and face up to six months in jail and a $1,000 fine. If the
individual has two or more previous convictions within 10 years, the
maximum sentence is 12 months and a $2,500 fine. Anyone convicted of
DUI who violates the requirements of a restricted driver’s license
faces up to 12 months in jail, a $2,500 fine and loss of the license.