PLEASE NOTE: Our office remains open and we are available to consult with you via telephone. Portuguese and Spanish interpretation services available upon request (request must be made in English). Additional charges may apply.
Highly Rated Richmond, Virginia, Traffic, Criminal And DUI Defense Attorney.
Celebrating 20 Years of Helping Clients in the Richmond Area
If you have been charged with a serious traffic violation such as reckless driving, a DUI/DWI, or a criminal offense, it is important to hire the best Richmond DUI lawyer you can find. A conviction for a serious traffic violation or a criminal offense can have significant long-term consequences. Even a conviction for simple speeding should be avoided if at all possible because it could result in a higher automobile insurance rate.
Standish Alexander, Esq. has been practicing law for over 25 years and appears daily in the courts of Richmond and Central Virginia defending individuals charged with traffic and/or criminal offenses. At Alexander Law Office, P.C., we strive to provide cost-effective service with superior results.
Richmond DUI & Criminal Defense Law Firm Alexander Law Office, P.C.
Proven Richmond DUI Lawyer
Knowledgeable and Sophisticated DUI Defense
I am an experienced and effective DUI attorney serving Richmond, VA. Not all criminal defense and traffic attorneys are experienced and effective Richmond DUI attorneys. I understand the legal, medical and scientific issues that are involved in DUI cases and use that knowledge to achieve the best possible results for my clients.
Virginia has very strict DUI laws. Even for a first offense DUI there is a mandatory one year license suspension. However, the defendant can ask the court for a restricted license so they can drive to work, the doctor etc. In addition, for all DUI convictions, ignition interlock (a breathalyzer) must be installed on any vehicle driven by the defendant during the period of his or her restricted license for at least six months. There is also a mandatory five day jail sentence for a first offense DUI if the B.A.C. (breath/blood alcohol content) is 0.15% or higher and a mandatory ten day jail sentence if the B.A.C. is over 0.20%. In most jurisdictions, there is no jail sentence for a DUI with a B.A.C. of 0.08-0.14% unless an accident was involved.
Winning Richmond Criminal Defense and DUI Attorney
As a highly experienced criminal defense lawyer, I handle all misdemeanors and most felonies. I have over 25 years of experience with the negotiation and trial of criminal offenses. In this era of computerized records, a conviction for a criminal offense can and will follow you for the rest of your life. If you are charged with a criminal offense, your choice of an attorney could be one of the most important decisions you will ever make. Choose a trusted and proven Richmond criminal defense lawyer atAlexander Law Office, P.C.
Other Serious Traffic Violations
Reckless Driving by Speed in Virginia
Virginia has some of the toughest traffic laws in the United States. Under VA Code 46.2-862, exceeding the speed limit by 20 m.p.h. or more, or exceeding 80 m.p.h. can be charged as reckless driving in Virginia. Reckless Driving is a class 1 misdemeanor and a conviction will result in a permanent criminal record. A class 1 misdemeanor in Virginia is punishable by up to 12 months in jail and a fine of up to $2500. For reckless driving there is the additional potential sanction of a license suspension of up to six months. For Virginia drivers convicted of reckless driving, the DMV will assign six demerit points and the conviction will appear on their driving record for 11 years.
Reckless Driving – General Rule – VA Code 46.2-852
Reckless Driving can also be charged under the general rule if an individual drives a vehicle in a manner that endangers the life, limb, or property of any other person.
Fortunately, most reckless driving convictions do not result in either a jail sentence, a license suspension, or fines over $500. In addition, it is often possible in many circumstances for a reckless driving charge to be reduced to a non-criminal traffic infraction or dismissed. If a reckless driving charge is reduced to a non-criminal traffic infraction there is no possibility of jail time, a license suspension, or fines over $500.
CDL Drivers and Traffic Violations
I commonly handle cases involving CDL drivers. I understand that if you have a CDL your license is your livelihood and I will take your case very seriously. I strive to have CDL cases reduced to non-moving violations so there will not be any demerit points assessed. It is also my goal to have serious charges such as reckless driving, which can potentially have a very significant impact on the CDL holder’s employment and/or ability to maintain a CDL license, reduced to less serious violations or non-moving offenses.
Speeding Tickets and Traffic Infractions
I also represent people charged with non-criminal simple speeding (i.e., tickets issued for speeding offenses below the reckless driving threshold) and non-criminal traffic infractions. It is always wise to hire a lawyer, even if you are only charged with non-criminal simple speeding or a traffic infraction, because in the long run, you will probably save money by lowering your insurance costs. In addition, if you live outside of the jurisdiction you were charged in, an attorney can often appear for you on your behalf saving you the unnecessary time and expense of a court appearance.
Reputation and Experience
I have over 25 years of experience as a trial lawyer. Every day I represent people charged with speeding, reckless driving, DUI/DWI or criminal offenses. My firm has an A+ rating with the Better Business Bureau and a rating of Superb — 10.0/10.0 on AVVO.com.
I have also been recognized nationally by The National Trial Lawyers Top 100, Rue Ratings Best Attorneys of America, Lawyers of Distinction and The National Advocacy for DUI Defense.
Relationships and Familiarity
I have been practicing law for decades in the jurisdictions surrounding the Richmond, Virginia, metropolitan area. I have developed strong relationships with the judges, prosecutors, clerks and law enforcement officers in these localities, and I know what to expect with your case and what needs to be done to achieve the best possible outcome.
Results And Value
My Richmond, Virginia law office specializes in traffic tickets, DUI and criminal cases. I handle all traffic offenses and most criminal offenses. My mission is to provide reasonably priced exceptional service. My goal is to achieve the best possible case results.
A Conviction Is NOT Inevitable!
Do not assume that you will be convicted as charged! Many of my criminal and traffic cases are reduced or dismissed.
Contact my Richmond, Virginia, law office for a free and confidential phone or INTERNET consultation. Whether you need a highly experienced Richmond DUI lawyer, a proven criminal defense lawyer or an attorney that can assist with traffic tickets, contact me. Call my office at 804-355-0016 or my cell phone at 804-814-1489 or email me for a free case evaluation at [email protected].
I handle cases in Caroline County, Chesterfield County, the City of Colonial Heights, Goochland County, Hanover County, Henrico County, the City of Hopewell, New Kent County, Prince George County, the City of Petersburg, and the City of Richmond.