What happens at a DUI arraignment in King William County

You were driving on Route 30 through King William County when the blue lights appeared behind you.
An officer suspected alcohol, asked you to step out, and conducted field sobriety tests. After a
breath test, you were arrested for DUI. Now you have a paper telling you to appear at King William
County General District Court for an arraignment, and you are not sure what happens next. The
arraignment is your first formal appearance before a judge — it is not the trial, but everything
that follows can be shaped by what occurs in that short hearing. An attorney who practices at this
courthouse can help you understand the process and protect your rights from the very first step.
For a confidential discussion about your situation, reach Law Offices Of SRIS, P.C. at
(888) 437-7747.
Law Offices Of SRIS, P.C. – Advocacy Without Borders.

Strategy options before and during the arraignment

You are not required to have a lawyer at an arraignment, but the decisions you make can have
lasting effects. A DUI charge in Virginia is a Class 1 misdemeanor — it carries potential jail
time, a permanent criminal record if convicted, and a license suspension. Before the hearing, an
experienced DUI defense team can gather discovery, evaluate the traffic stop and chemical test
procedures, and identify weaknesses in the Commonwealth’s case. At the arraignment itself, your
lawyer may discuss the possibility of a bond amendment with the court, enter a plea on your behalf,
and lay the groundwork for later motions. In King William County, the Commonwealth’s Attorney may
be willing to engage in early discussions about the charge, but judges do not participate in plea
bargaining. Having knowledgeable counsel beside you can mean the difference between a rushed,
uninformed plea and a carefully considered strategy. Mr. Sris and his Of Counsel team are
familiar with how DUI cases move through the King William court.

What to expect at the arraignment hearing

The arraignment takes place at the King William County General District Court,
351 Courthouse Lane, Suite 201, King William, VA 23086. When you arrive, the judge will call the
docket and your case will be announced. The formal reading of the charge occurs, although
defendants often waive the formal reading. You will be asked to enter a plea — usually not guilty
at this stage to preserve your defenses and allow full review of the evidence. If your arrest
involved a blood-alcohol content reading, the specific Virginia statute — most commonly Va. Code
§ 18.2-266 — will be stated. The judge will then address bail conditions: if you are still in
custody, the court will decide whether to set bond, and any pre-existing bond conditions may be
reviewed. If you are out on bond, the judge typically continues the existing bond. Finally, the
court will set a return date, often a few weeks later, for a status hearing or a trial date.

Penalty overview for a DUI conviction in Virginia

A first-offense DUI under Va. Code § 18.2-270 is a Class 1 misdemeanor. If convicted, the penalty
can include up to 12 months in jail, a fine of up to $2,500, and a mandatory license suspension of
12 months. The Virginia Department of Motor Vehicles will also assess six demerit points, which
remain on a driving record for the statutory period — an accumulation that typically triggers
substantial insurance-rate increases. In addition to the criminal penalties, the court may order
referral to the Virginia Alcohol Safety Action Program (VASAP), which requires an assessment and
completion of an approved education or treatment program. For a second DUI offense within ten years,
the mandatory minimum jail time escalates significantly, and the license suspension extends to three
years. Beyond the courtroom, a DUI conviction creates a permanent criminal record that can affect
employment, professional licensing, and access to certain federal programs. Because of the
seriousness of these consequences, a careful assessment of the evidence and possible defenses is
critical, beginning at the arraignment.

Attorney credentials: Mr. Sris and his Of Counsel team

Mr. Sris, Owner and Founder of Law Offices Of SRIS, P.C., is a former prosecutor who has practiced
since 1997. He is admitted in Virginia, Maryland, the District of Columbia, New Jersey, and New York
and leads a team of experienced Of Counsel attorneys who handle DUI and traffic matters throughout
the Commonwealth. Mr. Sris and his Of Counsel bring extensive combined legal experience.
Results may vary. The firm’s Richmond location
serves clients in King William County and the surrounding Ninth Judicial District. Mr. Sris has
testified before the Virginia House Courts of Justice Committee in support of 2019 HB 635
(chief patron Del. David Bulova). For a DUI arraignment in King William County, the team can
analyze the stop, challenge the admissibility of chemical test results, and negotiate with the
Commonwealth’s Attorney to seek a reduction or dismissal.

Frequently Asked Questions

Where is the DUI arraignment held in King William County?

The arraignment for a DUI charge occurs at the King William County General District Court, located at 351 Courthouse Lane, Suite 201, King William, VA 23086. This court is part of the Ninth Judicial District and handles all traffic matters, including DUI, reckless driving, and other moving violations. Parking is available near the courthouse. The courthouse is rural; plan for extra travel time. For exact directions, contact our firm.

Do I need a lawyer at my DUI arraignment in King William County?

You are not legally required to have a lawyer at the arraignment, but having an experienced DUI attorney is strongly advisable because the choices made at this hearing affect bail, future court dates, and overall defense strategy. A lawyer can argue for a lower bond, preserve your driving privileges, and begin building a factual record. Without counsel, you risk making statements that can later be used against you. Mr. Sris and his Of Counsel team appear regularly at this courthouse and can assist.

What plea should I enter at my DUI arraignment?

In nearly every DUI case, it is wise to enter a plea of “not guilty” at the arraignment. A not‑guilty plea preserves your right to challenge the stop, the breath‑test result, and any other evidence. Pleading guilty at the arraignment waives your right to a trial and means you will be sentenced immediately, often without a full review of the case. Your lawyer can discuss with you whether a negotiated resolution might be possible later, but that is not something to decide at the first hearing.

Can I get bail or have my bond reduced at the arraignment?

If you are in custody, the arraignment is your opportunity to ask the judge to set a bond or to lower an existing bond amount. The judge will consider factors such as your ties to the community, prior criminal record, and whether you pose a flight risk. For a first‑offense DUI, release on personal recognizance is common, but the court may impose conditions such as alcohol‑monitoring. Your attorney can present arguments to secure the least restrictive conditions.

What happens after I plead not guilty at the arraignment?

After a not‑guilty plea, the court will schedule a future court date, typically a trial or status hearing a few weeks later. In King William County General District Court, cases generally move from arraignment to trial in approximately four to eight weeks, depending on the docket. Your attorney can begin discovery, file motions, and evaluate whether a reduction to a lesser offense — such as reckless driving — is feasible. The time between hearings is used to build your defense.

Will my driver’s license be suspended before trial?

An arrest for DUI triggers a separate administrative license suspension under Virginia’s implied‑consent law. If you refused the breath test, the suspension is one year for a first offense. If you took the test and the result was 0.08 or higher, the suspension is typically seven days. Your attorney may be able to petition for a restricted license that allows you to drive to work, school, or medical appointments while the case is pending.

Can a DUI charge be reduced to reckless driving or another offense in King William County?

Yes, in many cases the Commonwealth’s Attorney may agree to amend a DUI charge to reckless driving or even a traffic infraction if the evidence supports it. Reckless driving remains a Class 1 misdemeanor, but it avoids the mandatory license suspension and the VASAP requirement that accompany a DUI. Your lawyer can negotiate such an outcome after evaluating the strengths and weaknesses of the Commonwealth’s case. The possibility of a reduction often depends on the facts of the stop and the level of intoxication.

What is VASAP and when is a DUI defendant ordered into it?

VASAP, the Virginia Alcohol Safety Action Program, is an assessment and education program that judges order for anyone convicted of DUI. After conviction, you must undergo an evaluation that determines what level of education or treatment is required. The program typically lasts several weeks and involves classes and possible counseling. Completion of VASAP is a condition of restoring your driver’s license. The court may also order enrollment as a condition of bond or probation.

Should I complete a driver improvement clinic before my court date?

Completing a Virginia‑certified driver improvement clinic before your trial can demonstrate to the judge and the prosecutor that you are taking the charge seriously. While it is not a guarantee of a reduced charge, it often helps in negotiation. The eight‑hour clinic is available in‑person or online and focuses on safe driving practices and alcohol awareness. Your attorney can advise whether this step would be beneficial in your particular case.

How long does a DUI case take in King William County?

The timeline varies, but many DUI cases move from arraignment to trial in about four to eight weeks, though more complex cases can take longer. After a trial in General District Court, either side may appeal the decision to the Circuit Court within ten days, which adds several months to the case. The total duration depends on court scheduling, the availability of witnesses, and whether pretrial motions are filed. Your lawyer can provide a more specific estimate after reviewing your circumstances.

What are the consequences of a DUI for an out‑of‑state driver?

If you hold an out‑of‑state driver’s license and are convicted of DUI in Virginia, the Virginia conviction will be reported to your home state. Under the Interstate Driver License Compact, your home state will likely impose a license suspension or other penalties that match its own DUI laws. Additionally, you must still face Virginia’s criminal penalties, and you may need to return to Virginia for court appearances. An attorney can often appear on your behalf for many routine hearings, reducing your travel burden.

Should I speak with an attorney before my arraignment?

Yes. Consulting with a DUI lawyer before the arraignment allows you to understand the charges, evaluate the evidence, and enter the hearing with a clear plan. The attorney can advise you on what to say and, just as importantly, what not to say in court. Early involvement also gives the lawyer time to review the police report, any video footage, and the calibration records of the breath‑test machine — all of which can shape your defense. To schedule a confidential consultation, contact Law Offices Of SRIS, P.C. at (888) 437-7747.

For a full statutory analysis of Virginia DUI laws and a detailed explanation of the available defenses, visit our comprehensive guide.

Law Offices Of SRIS, P.C. | (888) 437-7747
Richmond Location — serving King William County, VA
By appointment only.

Attorney advertising. Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome. Results may vary.

Last reviewed: July 2026

Case results depend on a variety of factors unique to each case.