After that fun, but hot, morning of shooting, my Saturday evening involved a more relaxed, and cooler, activity. I had picked up a few "special" cigars a while back with which to celebrate our son's wedding. The schedule didn't work to enjoy a smoke the weekend of the wedding, so I brought one of them out the following weekend. Coincidently, I happened by an ABC store during the wedding travels, and picked up a bourbon I had been looking to grab for a while. So, by extension, this was a "wedding celebration." 

For the last several weeks Facebook has been showing me ads for Athletic Non-Alcoholic Run Wild IPA. The web is universally in agreement that this is the best NA beer ever produced, so curiosity got the best of me last night and I picked up a six pack.

I'll agree that it's the best NA beer I've ever had. However something on the Applebee's menu had to be the best too. I might be dealing with unrealistic expectations. After reading about 10 raving reviews about how this is better than a lot of "normal" IPAs, I went into it with high expectations. Too high, apparently.

On initial pour it looks like an IPA with a light and frothy head that doesn't last. The initial nose has hints of pine and citrus, and the first taste is pleasant. It goes downhill from there though. It's got a malty mouthfeel and taste. More malty than you expect from an IPA, but probably to be expected given that it's a NA beer and they have to account for the lack of alcohol. They apparently use 5 different hops in the brew, but something doesn't work. The finish isn't lacking in bitterness, but it is lacking in flavor. The bitter finish is just bitter, it has none of the flavor that you expect with an IPA. There is also a hint of butter in the finish. I doubt these guys are shipping bad beer, so I don't think it's a fermentation mistake that resulted in diacetyl. I suspect maybe it's a side effect of removing the alcohol.

I drank two last night from a pint glass. It's not a bad beer. If I'd home brewed this back in 90s I'd be pretty damn pleased with myself. If I'd drank it without reading 10 glowing reviews I'd probably have thought it was surprisingly good for a NA brew. It does taste like beer, which is way more than can be said for O'Douls and whatever other NA beers I may have tried in the past.

I did notice a lot of the comments on Rate Beer were closer to my experience, and a few people there commented they thought it was better straight from the can. I've got two left so I'll try that today and see if makes a difference.

If you quit drinking and miss beer, or can't drink for some reason, I think this is a viable replacement for you. Also, they are only 70 calories each, so it's a light beer that actually tastes like beer. In buying this I went down a rabbit hole and apparently craft NA beer is a thing now, so I may try a few others too.

Update: Drinking this straight from the can is an improvement. I still wouldn't call it an equal replacement for the average IPA, but it's definitely drinkable.

For the last several weeks Facebook has been showing me ads for Athletic Non-Alcoholic Run Wild IPA. The web is universally in agreement that this is the best NA beer ever produced, so curiosity got the best of me last night and I picked up a six pack.

I'll agree that it's the best NA beer I've ever had. However something on the Applebee's menu had to be the best too. I might be dealing with unrealistic expectations. After reading about 10 raving reviews about how this is better than a lot of "normal" IPAs, I went into it with high expectations. Too high, apparently.

On initial pour it looks like an IPA with a light and frothy head that doesn't last. The initial nose has hints of pine and citrus, and the first taste is pleasant. It goes downhill from there though. It's got a malty mouthfeel and taste. More malty than you expect from an IPA, but probably to be expected given that it's a NA beer and they have to account for the lack of alcohol. They apparently use 5 different hops in the brew, but something doesn't work. The finish isn't lacking in bitterness, but it is lacking in flavor. The bitter finish is just bitter, it has none of the flavor that you expect with an IPA. There is also a hint of butter in the finish. I doubt these guys are shipping bad beer, so I don't think it's a fermentation mistake that resulted in diacetyl. I suspect maybe it's a side effect of removing the alcohol.

I drank two last night from a pint glass. It's not a bad beer. If I'd home brewed this back in 90s I'd be pretty damn pleased with myself. If I'd drank it without reading 10 glowing reviews I'd probably have thought it was surprisingly good for a NA brew. It does taste like beer, which is way more than can be said for O'Douls and whatever other NA beers I may have tried in the past.

I did notice a lot of the comments on Rate Beer were closer to my experience, and a few people there commented they thought it was better straight from the can. I've got two left so I'll try that today and see if makes a difference.

If you quit drinking and miss beer, or can't drink for some reason, I think this is a viable replacement for you. Also, they are only 70 calories each, so it's a light beer that actually tastes like beer. In buying this I went down a rabbit hole and apparently craft NA beer is a thing now, so I may try a few others too.

Grayson Highlands is my favorite state park in Virginia. I mean, just look at those views. And they have ponies!

We arrived in the rain on Thursday afternoon for a 4 night camping break over the 4th of July. Thursday night was a complete rain out as it poured all night. It was in the forecast, so we knew it was coming. Storms that day had taken out all power to the campground. Luckily it was cool, so we didn’t need AC, and AC is really the only thing we need power for. The power didn’t come back until about 9 PM Friday night. We spent Thursday night playing board games in the camper.

The forecast was for rain most of the day Friday, so we had planned to go into Damascus for lunch to kill some time. As it turned out, the rain ended by 8 AM. We still went in to Damascus and had a surprisingly good lunch at the 7 Trails Grill, right on the Virginia Creeper Trail. I’ve done the 20 odd mile downhill bike ride before. Michelle is recovering from a severely sprained ankle, so we didn’t do the trail ride this time.

When we got back to the campground, I did the Cabin Creek Trail because it features a waterfall, and it had rained a lot the previous day. I was not disappointed. It’s a pretty easy 1.5-mile hike, except for one spot right at the waterfall. I had to climb up about a 20-25 foot high, wet, slick, rock cliff. Definitely do this trail clockwise, so you are climbing up and not down at the little cliff. Down would be dangerous. Friday night featured lows near 40F, on July 2. I love the mountains.

Saturday I did the 10-mile out and back to the highest point in Virginia, Mount Rogers. This is my favorite hike in Virginia. It features wild ponies, a Longhorn Steer herd, a couple of rock scrambles, a fir tree forest that smells like Christmas, and views that just never stop. I did the hike in about 5.5 hours, including lunch with a guy and his daughter who are from New Zealand at an Appalachian Trail shelter. They were on the final day of a 4 night backpacking trip. Saturday night featured a couple of IPAs while relaxing by the fire.

On Sunday, I took Michelle to see the wild ponies. Doctor’s orders regarding her ankle were to limit any hiking to about 1 mile and easy, and luckily the ponies cooperated. We could actually see them from the Massie Gap parking area as they were way up front in the park.

After spending some money at the visitor center, we went back to camp for lunch, and then Michelle hung out reading while I did more hiking. I started with the Wilson Creek trail, which the trailhead placard completely undersells. It states that the hike features a 25-foot waterfall, but it really features about a mile creek side of continuous runs, chutes, and small waterfalls, many of which had really inviting swimming holes. Next year we’ll go back, and next year I’ll be prepared to jump in the water on that hike.

After a snack and break back at the camper I took off again, this time for the Twin Pinnacles Trail. Pro-tip, do the hike from the visitor center parking lot. I parked at Massie Gap, meaning I had to climb up to the visitor center on a steep rocky trail, then come back down it at the end. The actual loop to the overlooks is pretty flat if you start in the visitor center parking lot. Sunday night featured more IPAs by the campfire.

Monday was drive home day, and we got lucky as there were no accidents on either I-81 or I-64, so the trip home was incident free. Next up is a hastily planned trip to take advantage of a week off I’m going to have between jobs. We will spend 4 nights in Asheville, a night camping near Mayberry (Mt. Airy, NC), and a couple of night at Hungry Mother State Park. Then I’ll start a new job, and it might get quiet around here as I have no camping trips planned in August due to starting a new job. Maybe we’ll be able to go somewhere close for a weekend, though.

Grayson Highlands is my favorite state park in Virginia. I mean, just look at those views. And they have ponies!

We arrived in the rain on Thursday afternoon for a 4 night camping break over the 4th of July. Thursday night was a complete rain out as it poured all night. It was in the forecast, so we knew it was coming. Storms that day had taken out all power to the campground. Luckily it was cool, so we didn’t need AC, and AC is really the only thing we need power for. The power didn’t come back until about 9 PM Friday night. We spent Thursday night playing board games in the camper.

The forecast was for rain most of the day Friday, so we had planned to go into Damascus for lunch to kill some time. As it turned out, the rain ended by 8 AM. We still went in to Damascus and had a surprisingly good lunch at the 7 Trails Grill, right on the Virginia Creeper Trail. I’ve done the 20 odd mile downhill bike ride before. Michelle is recovering from a severely sprained ankle, so we didn’t do the trail ride this time.

When we got back to the campground, I did the Cabin Creek Trail because it features a waterfall, and it had rained a lot the previous day. I was not disappointed. It’s a pretty easy 1.5-mile hike, except for one spot right at the waterfall. I had to climb up about a 20-25 foot high, wet, slick, rock cliff. Definitely do this trail clockwise, so you are climbing up and not down at the little cliff. Down would be dangerous. Friday night featured lows near 40F, on July 2. I love the mountains.

Saturday I did the 10-mile out and back to the highest point in Virginia, Mount Rogers. This is my favorite hike in Virginia. It features wild ponies, a Longhorn Steer herd, a couple of rock scrambles, a fir tree forest that smells like Christmas, and views that just never stop. I did the hike in about 5.5 hours, including lunch with a guy and his daughter who are from New Zealand at an Appalachian Trail shelter. They were on the final day of a 4 night backpacking trip. Saturday night featured a couple of IPAs while relaxing by the fire.

On Sunday, I took Michelle to see the wild ponies. Doctor’s orders regarding her ankle were to limit any hiking to about 1 mile and easy, and luckily the ponies cooperated. We could actually see them from the Massie Gap parking area as they were way up front in the park.

After spending some money at the visitor center, we went back to camp for lunch, and then Michelle hung out reading while I did more hiking. I started with the Wilson Creek trail, which the trailhead placard completely undersells. It states that the hike features a 25-foot waterfall, but it really features about a mile creek side of continuous runs, chutes, and small waterfalls, many of which had really inviting swimming holes. Next year we’ll go back, and next year I’ll be prepared to jump in the water on that hike.

After a snack and break back at the camper I took off again, this time for the Twin Pinnacles Trail. Pro-tip, do the hike from the visitor center parking lot. I parked at Massie Gap, meaning I had to climb up to the visitor center on a steep rocky trail, then come back down it at the end. The actual loop to the overlooks is pretty flat if you start in the visitor center parking lot. Sunday night featured more IPAs by the campfire.

Monday was drive home day, and we got lucky as there were no accidents on either I-81 or I-64, so the trip home was incident free. Next up is a hastily planned trip to take advantage of a week off I’m going to have between jobs. We will spend 4 nights in Asheville, a night camping near Mayberry (Mt. Airy, NC), and a couple of night at Hungry Mother State Park. Then I’ll start a new job, and it might get quiet around here as I have no camping trips planned in August due to starting a new job. Maybe we’ll be able to go somewhere close for a weekend, though.

IN CONGRESS, JULY 4, 1776

The unanimous Declaration of the thirteen united States of America 

When in the Course of human events it becomes necessary for one people to dissolve the political bands which have connected them with another and to assume among the powers of the earth, the separate and equal station to which the Laws of Nature and of Nature's God entitle them, a decent respect to the opinions of mankind requires that they should declare the causes which impel them to the separation. 

We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness. — That to secure these rights, Governments are instituted among Men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed, — That whenever any Form of Government becomes destructive of these ends, it is the Right of the People to alter or to abolish it, and to institute new Government, laying its foundation on such principles and organizing its powers in such form, as to them shall seem most likely to effect their Safety and Happiness. ...

Every American should read these words regularly, at least once a year on July 4. They are important to keep in mind this year especially as we grow ever closer to a need to fight for independence from another group of oppressive, power-hungry, elitists. For years, people who love God, love their country, expect equal opportunity, not handouts, for all, or respect the rule of law, have been labeled racist, and worse. We've spent over a year being told we had to stay indoors, close businesses, wear masks, get vaccinated, all under the warning banner of, "If you want your freedom back…" No one can give you your freedom back unless they took it from you in the first place. Sadly, many Americans willfully surrendered their freedoms for "safety" or succumbed to the new "wokism." 

Getting Help from an Experienced Virginia Traffic Lawyer Is Your First Step Toward Reinstating Your License

 

When I advise clients about their case, they are primarily worried about jail time.

The next question my new clients always ask is, What is the minimum license suspension if found guilty of a DUI in Virginia? The answer I give them depends on their specific circumstances. 

In my experience as a Virginia lawyer representing people who have driving charges, DUI charges, and misdemeanor offenses, I have developed a deep understanding of what a person’s driver’s license means to them.

It’s more than just the prerequisite document you need to operate a motor vehicle; a driver’s license is the embodiment of the freedom we have to move about as we choose.

DUI License Suspensions in Virginia

Virginia’s DUI laws are strict. You face two separate suspension periods, potentially, under the Virginia DUI law, even if you have never been in trouble before. The duration of the suspension periods increases if you have prior DUI convictions.

The first suspension period you face is an administrative suspension. The DMV suspends your license administratively if a DWI warrant is issued against you or if you refuse to take a chemical test. In both circumstances, the arresting officer will advise you of the suspension and confiscate your driver’s license.

In Virginia, a chemical test could be either a blood draw or a breathalyzer test. The arresting officer must honor your rights regarding these tests after your arrest. 

The court will order your license to be suspended if you are convicted of your DUI charges. The court does not distinguish between pleading guilty and facing a jury verdict of guilty of DUI. The length of the court-ordered suspension also depends on whether you were previously convicted of DUI.

You should be aware that your administrative suspension and your court-ordered suspension must run consecutively. You must serve your administrative suspension first, followed by the court-ordered suspension.

License Suspension/Reinstatement Periods for DUI Charges in Virginia

First Offense DUI

The administrative suspension period for a DUI in Virginia varies depending on whether you fail or refuse the chemical test. For first-time offenders, failing the chemical test—meaning operating a motor vehicle with a blood-alcohol concentration of 0.08% or greater—results in a seven-day suspension.

However, refusing to take a chemical test results in a one-year suspension of your driver’s license. You are ineligible for reinstatement or a restricted license for the first 30 days of an administrative suspension under Virginia law.

The court will suspend your license for one year after a first-offense DUI conviction. The court may allow you to apply for the immediate reinstatement of your license. You must ask the court for permission to apply for a restricted license.

Requirements to Get a Restricted License

There are numerous requirements you must meet before you can have your license reinstated on a restricted basis after your first offense DUI. According to the Virginia Department of Motor Vehicles, you must satisfy the following requirements before receiving a restricted license:

• Pay the reinstatement fee, which is $220 for a DUI charge but could be more depending upon the number of driving violations on your record;
• Complete the Virginia Alcohol Safety Action Program (VASAP) as a condition of your probation;
• Produce an SR22 certificate of financial responsibility from an auto insurance company; and
• Install an ignition interlock device on whatever vehicle you plan to drive.

Virginia requires an ignition interlock device for all DUI restricted licenses.

For a first-time offender, the court will set the minimum amount of time the device must be used at six months. The court could order a longer installation period. You should be aware that you are responsible for paying for the costs associated with the ignition interlock device.

Second Offense DUI

The administrative suspension period for a second offense DUI in Virginia is 60 days.

A person convicted of a second offense DUI must wait three years before having a license reinstated in full.

However, a person convicted of a second offense DUI can apply for a restricted license in four months if the second DUI was more than five years after the first offense. If the second offense occurred within five years, then the driver must wait one year before applying for a restricted license.

Many of the same conditions that apply to first offenders also apply to second offenders. However, the ignition interlock system must be installed on every vehicle that is owned by or registered to you.

Third Offense DUI

A person with a third offense DUI in Virginia faces significant penalties, including license suspension. The DMV will order your license to be suspended administratively up to the time of your trial if you have third offense DUI charges.

Additionally, the court will revoke your driver’s license after a conviction for a third offense DUI. However, you can apply for a restricted license after serving three years of license suspension. You may have to wait five years before you can apply for license restoration.

All the same requirements that apply to someone convicted of a second DUI apply to someone convicted of a third offense DUI. The DMV will likely test you on driving skills and knowledge before reinstating your license.

What Does Having a Restricted License Mean?

The court can place numerous restrictions on your license. You are driving with a suspended license for DUI if you violate one of those restrictions. Some restrictions in Virginia include:

• Driving with a curfew;
• Continued use of an ignition interlock device; and
• Driving with no passengers except for family members or with no minor children.

The court will also likely restrict the circumstances where you will be allowed to drive, such as:

• Driving to and from work;
• Taking yourself or minor dependents to school;
• Attending driving school classes; and
• Attending medical appointments.

The restrictions the court places on your license should reflect the circumstances of your case. 

Out-of-State DUI License Suspension

If you are a resident of Virginia and have a DUI conviction in another state, the courts of Virginia have no jurisdiction to overturn that ruling.

You could apply for reinstatement of your license in Virginia only after the foreign state reinstates your driving privileges. Therefore, you must complete all the requirements specified by the other state before applying for reinstatement in Virginia.

You should be aware that out-of-state DUI convictions count toward enhanced penalties for DUI. So if you have a DUI conviction in Maryland and have DUI charges in Virginia that came after the Maryland conviction, you could face a second DUI offense. 

How Can I Help You Get Your License Back?

Experience counts. If you have DUI charges in Virginia, then you need an experienced advocate—someone who puts your needs before anything else. Getting the best outcome possible for you is my sole priority. I understand how important it is to get your life back on track as soon as possible after a DUI charge. 

I work with you to reduce the stress you experience from facing a DUI charge. My approach allows you to focus on your daily activities even while your case is pending. I will use all my resources to put you in the best position possible.

Call me today at 540-318-5824 for an appointment, and let’s start working together to put this episode behind you.

 

The post In Virginia, How Do You Get Your License Back After a DUI Suspension? appeared first on Andrew Flusche.

Aligning Yourself with a Knowledgeable Virginia DUI Defense Lawyer Could Help You Keep a DUI Off of Your Record

 

Every year, numerous people who have never been arrested before face DUI charges in Virginia. For many people, the only charge they ever pick up is a DUI.

However, that one simple mistake that you made getting behind the wheel after having a drink could be costly if you don’t act right away. 

If you have a first-offense DUI charge and have a clean record, you might be wondering what you should do to keep your record clean. Seeking the help of an extremely knowledgeable, skilled, and experienced Virginia DUI lawyer can give you the best chance possible to keep your criminal record clean. 

Is a DUI Record in Virginia Permanent?

A conviction for DUI in Virginia remains on your criminal record indefinitely. There are no provisions under Virginia law currently that allow for a judge to expunge your record for a conviction.

Criminal records follow you wherever you go. If you have a DUI conviction in another state, there is a good chance that the prosecution will find out and use that against you. Similarly, if you have a DUI conviction in Virginia and pick up a DUI charge in another state, then you could face a second-offense DUI charge in that state. 

As you can see, keeping a DUI conviction off of your criminal record is very important. 

How Long Does a DUI Stay on Your Driving Record in Virginia?

Your driving record is an important piece of your history. It contains information about deferred prosecutions, convictions, traffic violations, revocations, suspensions, and accidents for which you bear responsibility. 

Unlike with criminal records, the Virginia DMV automatically removes entries from your driving record after a specific amount of time passes. For example, a first-offense conviction for DUI must remain on your record for 11 years.

After 11 years, the DMV will remove the entry. DUI charges older than 10 years do not technically count as priors in Virginia to automatically enhance your penalties, but they can still be considered by the court.

The DMV may record information about your DUI arrest and whether you have an administrative suspension for failing or refusing a chemical test. 

Under the Virginia DMV’s demerit system, a DUI conviction carries six demerit points. The six demerit points remain on your driving history for at least two years.

Six demerit points are the most the DMV will assign for one offense. The DMV will assign three or four points to less severe offenses.

The DMV has the authority to suspend your license if you accumulate too many demerit points over two years. If you accumulate 12 demerit points in 12 months or 18 points in two years, then the DMV will assign you to complete its driver improvement clinic.

You have 90 days to complete the program from the date you acquire your 12th point or 18th point. The DMV will suspend your license if you do not complete the driver improvement clinic in the 90-day window.

If you have 18 points in 12 months or 24 points in two years, the DMV will suspend your license for 90 days and require you to complete the driver improvement clinic.

How Does a DUI Charge Affect Your Car Insurance Rates?

A DUI charge could cause your insurance premiums to skyrocket. Your insurance company might not impose a higher rate if you receive an acquittal. Your rates will almost certainly go up if you have a DUI record in Virginia.

Following a DUI conviction, the DMV will consider you a high-risk driver. As a result, you may have to carry higher minimum insurance limits for bodily injury and property damage and file an FR-44 financial responsibility form with the DMV. 

Why Is It Important to Keep Your Criminal Record and Driving Record Clean?

Your criminal record tells the world only a small part of your story. Sometimes people place too great of an emphasis on a person’s criminal history as a good barometer of their character. Having a DUI charge is certainly not proof of a bad character. 

Nonetheless, having a clean criminal record is beneficial in many situations. Some of those situations include:

• Searching for a new job;
• Trying to obtain a security clearance;
• Applying for a firearms license;
•  Obtaining a commercial driver’s license;
• Applying for housing;
• Filing a mortgage application; 
• Applying for permanent residency or naturalization; and
• Applying for a driver’s license in another state.

In any of these situations, you may lose out on your chance for advancement if you have a DUI conviction on your record.

What Are the Other Penalties for a DUI Charge in Virginia?

A typical first-offense DUI charge is a Class 1 misdemeanor in Virginia. The most jail time you could get for a DUI conviction is one year. Also, the court could order you to pay fines up to $2,500.

You face the threat of stiffer penalties depending on the circumstances of your arrest. If someone suffers an injury or dies in a collision, the police could bring felony charges against you. Additionally, the severity of the penalty increases if you have a long criminal history, including previous DUI convictions.

Jail and fines are not the only punishment you could suffer for a DUI conviction. The court may put you on probation. While on probation, you must attend the Virginia Alcohol Safety Action Program (VASAP), perform community service, and attend counseling if deemed necessary.

Additionally, the court will revoke your driver’s license for one year. If you want to have your license reinstated on a restricted basis, you will need to install an ignition interlock device for at least six months. Sometimes the Virginia DMV will also make you go through the whole license testing process again.

How Can a Virginia DUI Defense Lawyer Help Me Keep My Record Clean?

Having a lawyer who is willing to fight for you tooth and nail can help you achieve the best result possible for your DUI charge.

Although results are never guaranteed, you stand a better chance of successfully negotiating with the prosecution to get your charges reduced. However, if the prosecution refuses to plea bargain and reduce the charges against you, there are several options available.

A lawyer who has litigated hundreds, if not thousands of cases, understands how to handle a DUI defense. First, a high-quality DUI lawyer will take a close look at the actions of the police to determine whether they violated your rights. 

You have the right to file a motion to suppress if the arresting officers violated your constitutional rights.

Fourth Amendment Violation

The prosecution must prove that the police performed their duties without violating your right to be free from unreasonable searches and seizures.

For example, if the police pulled you over without an accident, the police have to show that they had reasonable suspicion to stop you. The judge must throw out the evidence against you if the police violated your rights.

Miranda Warnings

Additionally, you might have a good argument to make if the police asked you questions while you were in custody but didn’t read you your rights. You could ask the judge to exclude any incriminating statements you made to police.

The prosecution does not have to dismiss the case if the court suppresses your statements. However, preventing your statements from coming into evidence at trial could severely weaken the Commonwealth’s case against you.

Here’s a common example of how a statement you made could hurt you.

Suppose you drive your car into a ditch on the side of the road. When police investigate, they suspect you had been drinking. They take you back to the police station and begin to ask you questions. If you admit that you had a few drinks before getting behind the wheel, the prosecution may try to use this admission against you.

However, the judge might rule that you were under arrest if you were not free to leave. In that situation, the police must read you your Miranda rights. If they don’t, then the judge will not let the prosecution use your statements in court. This could severely hamper the prosecution’s ability to prove you were driving under the influence.

Defending Your Rights at Trial

One way to keep a clean record is to win an acquittal at trial. Remember that the prosecution always has the burden to prove you guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.

With the advice of a highly experienced attorney, you could evaluate your chances of success at trial. Receiving an acquittal from the jury means that your case is over and no one could ever hold it against you. In that case, your record remains clean. 

Contact an Experienced DUI Lawyer to Learn More About How Long Does a DUI Stay on Your Record in Virginia

Throughout my career, I have worked to help people like you avoid the harsh consequences of a DUI charge. When my clients ask, How long does a DUI stay on your record in Virginia? I advise them of the possible consequences of a DUI conviction and then help them figure out the best solution for them.

In some cases, negotiating a favorable plea bargain is the best way to minimize the harm a DUI conviction could cause. In other cases, my client’s best option is to fight every step of the way. Call me today at 540-318-5824 to make an appointment and find out how I can help keep your record clean.

 

The post How Long Does a DUI Stay on Your Record in Virginia? appeared first on Andrew Flusche.

It has been many months since I last was able to get to one of the monthly IDPA matches at the Rivanna Rifle and Pistol club outside of Charlottesville, VA. To my delight, everything aligned this month and I was excited to shoot and to see some old friends again. Given that I had missed the May match at the Cavalier club, I was looking forward to just getting in some range time. Even the weather cooperated; mostly overcast skies helped to moderate the warm temperatures. 

The first stage our squad shot was a "standards" stage. There were three groups of three overlapping targets shot from ever shrinking shooting boxes as we moved through the stage.

In an interesting twist, the center target in each array was declared "hard cover" for the targets behind it, meaning shoot throughs didn't count. That bit me on the last target array on the limited count stage. With that 5 second penalty, I was -6 on the stage.

Next up was a scenario called "Room Clearing 101." We began sitting at a table with our unloaded gun and the first loading device on the table, and our hands on the laptop keyboard. The course required us to load the gun, engage a steel popper activator and a drop turner target while seated. Next we moved forward down the "hallway" to engage a target around a corner, before moving down the next hall where we encountered five more threat targets through an opening in the wall.

After the miss on the previous stage, I was very pleased to shoot this stage clean, with zero points down. Seeing the -0 holes on the drop turner target was especially satisfying.

Moving onto to another range, we saw an elaborate setup featuring two vehicles that made up the next two stages, "Fender Bender" and "Fender Bender-er." The stage brief stated that we were involved in a rear end accident while driving through Southeast DC. 

In the first scenario of the duo, we were said to be the driver of the car that was hit. We began standing at the rear of the car, with a hand on each vehicle, as it we were leaning over inspecting the damage. We were then attacked by gang members. There was a target to be engaged over the trunk, and another further away to the left in the open. Leaving the start position, we rounded the vehicle, engaging two low targets on the move. Heading down range we found two more threats behind a wall. Next we moved across the stage to find more threats from cover.

At the final shooting position I felt at the time I had pulled a shot wide on the first target. After engaging the last target I swung back to do a make up and found my gun at slide lock. A too quick calculation had me deciding to end the run. Sadly the wide shot was not just a -1 or -3, it was a miss altogether. In retrospect, I should have taken the time to reload and fired another shot. I can certainly reload and reengage in much less than the 5 seconds the miss cost me.