In West Virginia, the penalties for a DUI (driving under the influence) conviction depend primarily on the number of prior convictions. This article covers the basics of West Virginia's DUI laws (including important definitions) and the consequences for a first, second, and third DUI conviction.
West Virginia prohibits anyone from driving while being in an "impaired state." An impaired state includes anyone:
The BAC limit is reduced to .04% if the licensee is driving a commercial vehicle and is reduced to .02% for drivers who are under 21 years old. However, offenders under the age of 21 (with a BAC of .02% or more but less than .08%) face reduced fines and jail time (as compared to a regular DUI) but will lose their license for 60 days and/or until at least 18 years old.
A DUI based on BAC—as opposed to the driver's level of impairment—is often called a "per se" DUI. The amount of alcohol a person must drink to exceed the legal limit depends on many factors, including gender, body size, and the number and strength of drinks.
West Virginia DUI penalties vary based on the circumstances of the case. Here are what the potential sentences generally look like for a first, second, and third DUI.
The ranges of allowable penalties depend, in large part, on how many prior convictions the offender has within the last ten years. Convictions that are older than that, aren't counted.
|
Jail |
Up to 6 months (minimum 48 hours if .15% BAC or greater) |
6 months to 1 year |
2 to 5 years |
|
Fines |
$100 to $500 ($200 to $1,000 if .15% BAC or greater) |
$1,000 to $3,000 |
$3,000 to $5,000 |
|
License Revocation |
6 months |
10-year revocation |
Lifetime revocation |
Any person subject to license revocation due to a first-offense DUI can apply for the Motor Vehicle Alcohol Test and Lock Program. If accepted, the driver will be able to avoid much of the revocation period by installing an ignition interlock device (IID).
If the driver produced a BAC under .15%, the revocation will be for 15 days, followed by a 120-day IID requirement. And if the driver produced a BAC of .15% or greater, the revocation will be for 45 days with a 270-day IID requirement. This program is not available for DUIs involving drugs.
Additionally, successful completion of the Motor Vehicle Alcohol Test and Lock Program can actually result in a DUI dismissal for those with no prior DUIs.
West Virginia's "implied consent" laws require all drivers lawfully arrested for a DUI to submit to a blood or breath test. After the arrest, the arresting officer will report the results to the state for license revocation.
If the driver submits to and fails the BAC test, the revocation period will be the same as for a DUI conviction (this revocation may be imposed even if the criminal charges are dismissed).
If the driver was placed under arrest and refused to submit to the officer's request for a BAC test, the driver's license will be revoked according to the following table.
|
1st Offense |
2nd Offense |
3rd Offense |
|
|
License Revocation |
1 year |
10-year revocation |
Lifetime |
A DUI charge in West Virginia can result in serious penalties. However, there are possibilities of deferring the conviction, reducing penalties, and possibly pleading to a lesser "wet reckless" charge. If you are charged with a DUI, it's best to consult with a qualified DUI lawyer about your options.