Skip to main content
Welch & Wright, PLLC
DUI Appeals
Criminal Defense Lawyer Norfolk, VA and throughout Hampton Roads
Call Today: (757) 707-8803
Free Consultation

DUI Appeal Lawyers in Hampton Roads

A glass of whiskey with ice near open handcuffs and car keys on a wooden surface, suggesting a concept about drinking and driving legality.
Convicted of driving under the influence (DUI) in Virginia? You might feel like you have run out of options, that there’s nothing more you can do, but that’s not necessarily the case. The Commonwealth of Virginia grants the right to appeal.But you need to act fast. And you need to know how the legal system works. Otherwise, you could miss important deadlines and opportunities to win your appeal. That’s why it’s critical that you have a skilled Virginia DUI defense attorney handling your appeal.Our dedicated legal team at Welch & Wright, PLLC in Norfolk knows how to handle such complex legal cases. We have experience successfully appealing DUI cases in Norfolk, the Hampton Roads area and throughout Virginia. That’s why we want to meet with you right away.

Can I appeal a DUI conviction in Virginia?

In theory, yes, you have the right to appeal. This right is included and explained in Virginia Code 18.2-268.4. However, just because you can appeal your DUI conviction does not mean your case will be straightforward. Filing a successful DUI appeal involves a tremendous amount of work by a highly skilled legal team that fully understands how the legal system works in Virginia.

Deadline for appealing a Virginia DUI conviction

You don’t have a lot of time to appeal your DUI conviction in Virginia. The deadline to file an appeal from a general district court conviction is 10 calendar days from the date of your conviction. The deadline to appeal a conviction from the circuit court to the Court of Appeals is 30 days from the date of conviction. That means every day counts, including weekends and holidays. That’s why you need to talk to a lawyer right away.

How the DUI appeal process works in Virginia

In order to appeal your DUI conviction to the circuit court, you will need to file a Notice of Appeal within 10 days of your conviction in the general district court clerk’s office in the jurisdiction where you received the DUI conviction. An attorney can handle this step on your behalf. Court costs vary, but in general, submitting a Notice of Appeal costs less than $100.

There are 32 judicial districts in Virginia. Every city and county in Virginia has a General District Court. A list of all Virginia District Courts can be found online or you can simply contact our law firm.

Virginia DUI appeal courts

While you will need to file a Notice of Appeal with the Virginia General District Court near you, the actual appeals are handled by a Circuit Court of Virginia.

There are 31 Circuit Courts throughout the Commonwealth of Virginia. If you are appealing a DUI conviction in the Hampton Roads, Virginia area, your appeal may be heard in Norfolk, Virginia Beach, Newport News, Chesapeake, Hampton, Portsmouth, or another circuit court, depending on the location of the offense and conviction.

Why you should hire a DUI defense attorney for your appeal

Successfully appealing a DUI conviction in Virginia can be a challenging, complicated legal process. You don’t want to go through this process on your own. Get an experienced DUI attorney from Welch & Wright, PLLC. We have a track record of success when it comes to appealing DUI convictions in Virginia.

The clock is running. Don’t waste a second on your DUI case. Contact our law firm to learn more about your legal rights. Schedule a free case evaluation with one of our results-oriented, highly skilled Norfolk, VA DUI defense attorneys. We’re focused on winning your case.

Nick T. Wright

Written By Nick T. Wright

Criminal Defense Attorney

Attorney Nick T. Wright is one of the founders of Welch & Wright, PLLC. Nick T. Wright focuses his practice on criminal defense cases, particularly ones involving DUI defense, traffic violations, petty theft, and nonviolent sex offense cases. Nick Wright has handled thousands of cases in Hampton Roads, the Greater Richmond, VA area, and northern Virginia. He received his law degree from the University of Richmond School of Law. Nick T. Wright is associated with the Virginia Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers (VACDL) and the National College of DUI Defense (NCDD), among other affiliations.

A woman gazes outside a car window, with soft-focus city lights in the background, creating a contemplative evening scene.

Free Consultation

Contact Us Today
If you have been charged with a crime or injured in an accident caused by someone else in Virginia, you need to take action right away – to protect your rights and perhaps even your health.