Virginia law enforcement officials exert considerable effort in apprehending DUI suspects. Indeed, a favorable judicial outcome can seem difficult to achieve for those detained on a DUI arrest. However, it is important to reserve jumping to conclusions about DUI charges until the exact circumstances of an incident have been carefully examined.


A Fort Eustis-based staff sergeant was involved in a fatal crash that resulted in the deaths of two Newport University students Dec. 4. He has not yet been charged in the case, but it was recently reported that the man had been stopped on three previous occasions on charges of drunk driving. Late last month, the man was sentenced to a year in jail after being convicted of a DUI offense related to a September arrest. He subsequently sought release on bond pending an appeal, but was turned down.

This man has some tough legal challenges ahead. He deserves to be treated fairly and equitably by the judicial system as the facts and circumstances concerning the Dec. 4 incident come out. He has not yet been charged in connection to this crash. The Hampton Commonwealth's Attorney's Office is still waiting for the results from his blood test.

The laws and procedures surrounding DUI-related criminal law can be confusing and difficult to navigate effectively. There are many factors that a criminal defense team will investigate. For example, it has been suggested that this man, an Iraq war veteran of three separate deployments, may be suffering from post traumatic stress disorder. Factors such as these should be considered as any allegations concerning the fatal collision work their way through the Virginia court system.

Source: Daily Press , "Driver in fatal CNU crash stopped three times on DUI charges," Ashley Kelly, Dec. 21, 2011