If you're like a lot of Americans, then you probably enjoy a good drink on St. Patrick's day. In 2018, almost 150 million people planned to celebrate the holiday in the U.S. - and it's safe to say that for many of them, those celebrations involved alcoholic beverages.
Today, we're looking at penalties for disorderly conduct and DUI charges in Virginia that could result from St. Patty's Day celebrations, and what you can do to protect yourself.
If you find yourself facing disorderly conduct or DUI charges, we’ll work with you to defend your rights. Contact our office online or via phone at (757) 267-4949
">(757) 267-4949 to schedule a consultation with our team.St. Patrick's Day in Virginia
Virginia is home to a plethora of amazing bars and locations that offer St. Patrick's Day celebrations. Even during COVID-19, it's safe to say that many Americans plan on getting together with friends to celebrate the holiday.
Unfortunately, celebrating safely isn't always easy when alcohol is involved. It's not uncommon for inebriated individuals to be charged with disorderly conduct or DUI. Understanding the penalties for these charges in Virginia can help incentivize people to stay safe:
Disorderly Conduct Penalties in Virginia
An individual can be charged with disorderly conduct if they cause public annoyance, inconvenience, alarm, or risk while being intoxicated or under the influence of other substances. Individuals can even be charged with disorderly conduct if they aren't willfully intoxicated.
An individual who commits an act of disorderly conduct could face Class 1 misdemeanor charges, resulting in up to one year in jail and/or up to a $2,500 fine, depending on the circumstances of the case.
DUI Penalties in Virginia
When an individual operates a motor vehicle while under the influence of alcohol or another substance (and they have a Blood Alcohol Concentration [BAC] of 0.08% or more), they can face DUI charges.
Penalties for a first offense DUI include licenses suspension, as well as up to one year in jail and/or a fine of up to $2,500. Second-time offenders face the same penalties with a minimum ten-day jail sentence, and third-time offenders could find themselves in jail for up to five years, with a minimum 90-day sentence and $1,000 fine.
Avoiding Disorderly Conduct & DUI Charges
Needless to say, being convicted of disorderly conduct or a DUI could totally disrupt your life. Here are some measures you can take to avoid facing legal penalties:
- Don't drink and drive. If you go to a party, consider either sleeping over or using a ride like an Uber to get home.
- Stagger your drinks. Drinking infrequently while also consuming food regularly can help you avoid becoming intoxicated.
- Give your keys to a friend. If a sober friend has your keys with them, they can stop you from making a decision you'll regret later down the line.
- Book a hotel ahead of time. If you want to travel to a party, finding a hotel within walking distance can help you stay safe without worrying about your car.
- Have a sober friend nearby at all times. Having a designated driver or a sober friend to walk you to a safe place can help you avoid committing a DUI or act of disorderly conduct.
At The Law Offices of Daniel J. Miller, our team can help defend you from DUI or disorderly conduct charges.
To schedule a consultation with our team, contact us online or via phone at (757) 267-4949">(757) 267-4949.
Disorderly Conduct & DUIs on St. Patrick's Day in Virginia - What You Need to Know
The global gaming market yields more than 400 billion U.S. dollars per year to gamblers and betting organizations alike. One of the fastest-growing sectors of the betting market is online gambling and interactive sports betting, in which players make bets on the outcome of sporting events.
In March of 2020, Virginia legalized betting, and online sports betting in the state officially became legal in January of 2021. If you're like other Virginians interested in placing some bets, understanding the legality of betting in our state is important.
To schedule a consultation with our team for your betting case, contact our office online or via phone at (757) 267-4949
">(757) 267-4949.Sports Betting in Virginia: An Overview
Unlike many other states in the U.S., Virginia didn't widely legalize sports betting until recently. While West Virginia legalized sports betting in 2018, Virginia officials deliberated over the legality of sports betting for years before passing HB 896 and SB 384 in March 2020, opening a path for legalization.
Currently, there are no sports betting casinos in Virginia, meaning that if you want to engage in sports betting, you must do so online. Currently, Virginians can place bets using DraftKings Sportsbook, FanDuel, and Yahoo! However, several sports betting providers are in the process of constructing casinos, which will eventually give Virginians land-based sportsbooks they can access to play.
The Virginia Lottery Board is overseeing sports betting in the state as a regulatory measure and is also responsible for issuing sports betting licenses. The decision to place the Lottery Board in control of sports betting comes on the heel of a 2018 decision by the U.S. Supreme Court to make sports betting a state's rights issue, repealing the previous ban on sports gambling and allowing states to make their own decisions regarding its legality.
With the Lottery Board overseeing betting and sports betting licenses costing $250,000 up-front with a $200,000 annual renewal fee, it's clear that Virginia legislators expect sports betting to be a useful source of tax-based income for the state. Given the rapidly increasing size of the sports betting industry, state officials are likely hoping that legalizing betting in the state could generate tens of millions in tax revenue.
If you want to place sports bets in Virginia, here's what you need to know:
- You can bet on college sports, but not on Virginia colleges. Additionally, you cannot place live bets on college games.
- While you don't need to live in Virginia to bet on sports, you do need to be physically located in the state when you place a wager.
- You can also bet on pro sports.
- Revenue from sports betting will be taxed by the Lottery Board at a rate of 15%, with 2.5% of tax revenue going towards the state lottery corporation and 95% being allocated towards research projects at state universities.
Betting on sports legally in Virginia means following a simple process:
- Set up an account with a Virginia online sports betting site, such as DraftKings or FanDuel. Make sure you set up a secure username and password since your finances will be connected to this account.
- Most sports betting sites requires personal information, such as your social security number, to verify your identity.
- Finally, you may need to put down an initial deposit to bet with. Many sites offer first-deposit bonuses for players.
At The Law Offices of Daniel J. Miller, our attorneys understand the ins and outs of betting laws in Virginia. We can help you navigate a gambling-related case.
To schedule a consultation with our team, contact us online or via phone at (757) 267-4949">(757) 267-4949.
The Legality of Sports Betting in Virginia
