West Virginia's laws against drunk driving are tough, and the penalties for those convicted of DUI are even tougher. Even under the most favorable circumstances, defendants face the possibility of fines, jail time, license suspension and other penalties.
That being said, there are times when drivers are sentenced even more harshly due to details of their alleged offense known as "aggravating factors." Today, we'll discuss what aggravated DUI is what it may mean for convicted offenders.
Aggravated DUI WV
An aggravated DUI is when your BAC is 0.15% or higher. If you’re convicted of an aggravated DUI, the sentence is 48 hours – 6 months of jail time, mandatory installation of an ignition interlock device in your vehicle, and a fine of $200 - $1,000.
Various states have different guidelines about what constitutes an aggravating factor, but there are several common ones in addition to high BAC.
Aggravating factors used by a number of states include:
- Alleged DUI with minors in the vehicle
- Alleged DUI while driving on a suspended or revoked license
- Alleged DUI while driving at excessive speeds
- Multiple prior convictions for DUI
Bring Your Case to Our Team
Individuals charged with DUI involving any of these other factors could face harsher sentences if convicted than they otherwise would. For this and other reasons, it is important to bring your case to an experienced criminal defense attorney.