| In 2002, the National Highway Traffic Safety | | | | to complete and pass a safety/treatment program |
| Administration (NHTSA) stated that West Virginia was | | | | before your license will be reinstated. It is also possible |
| one of the 13 States that had very high alcohol-related | | | | that you will be required to install an IID. But if you had |
| fatalities. In addition, they estimated that alcohol-related | | | | a minor under the age of 16 in the vehicle, the jail term |
| crashes cost West Virginians over $1,000,000,000.00! | | | | increases from a minimum of two days up to 12 |
| The NHTSA requested that those 13 States, dubbed | | | | months, the fines increase to between $200 to $1000, |
| the Strategic Evaluation States, participate in a | | | | and you may be required to install an IID. |
| year-long enforcement effort that was to be | | | | A second West Virginia DUI is more clear cut, |
| Congressionally funded. The first year was so | | | | because no evidence is taken into account other than |
| successful that the NHTSA continued it for a second | | | | the fact that your BAC was.08 or more. The jail time |
| year. In those two years, West Virginia DUI-related | | | | ranges from six months to 12 months, the fines range |
| vehicle fatalities reduced 31%. These statistics are | | | | from $1,000 to $3,000, and your license could be |
| most likely the impetus for West Virginia's present dui | | | | revoked for up to 10 years. Your license could be |
| penalties. | | | | suspended for one year, but it would be followed by |
| Almost all of the States have dui laws that make a | | | | the installation of an IID in your vehicle. And you must |
| blood alcohol concentration (BAC) of.08 the level at | | | | complete and pass a safety and treatment program |
| which drivers are considered to be drunk; it is the | | | | before West Virginia will reinstate your driver's license. |
| same for West Virginia. However, the State gives | | | | Your third DUI in West Virginia is a felony. All felons |
| harsher penalties to drivers who are found to have a | | | | lose their right to bear arms and to vote, have a |
| BAC of.15 or above. West Virginia considers having a | | | | harder time qualifying for loans, and are barred from |
| minor in the vehicle with a drunk driver to be an | | | | certain types of employment. The jail time for a third |
| aggravating circumstance, and this violation will also | | | | offense increases from one year to three years, and |
| bring harsher penalties. | | | | the fines increase from $3,000 to $5,000. In addition, |
| If your BAC was determined to be between.08 and.15, | | | | you face a revocation of your license for a lifetime, or |
| your first West Virginia DUI would bring jail time of up | | | | a one-year revocation followed by a mandatory IID. If |
| to six months, fines from $100 to $500, a 15-day | | | | your license is to be reinstated, you must complete |
| driver's license suspension, and the possible installation | | | | and pass a safety and treatment program. |
| of an ignition interlock device (IID). If your BAC was.15 | | | | No matter your situation, having an experienced drunk |
| or above, the jail term increases to a minimum of two | | | | driving attorney on your side could make all the |
| days and up to six months, fines from $100 to $1,000, | | | | difference. Being arrested for dui is bad enough; don't |
| and a 45-day license suspension. You will be required | | | | try to defend yourself alone. |