We all know that drunk driving is unsafe and can cause harm to the driver and others on the road. With the new Virginia legislative session starting this week, many lawmakers expect to take up legislation that will make penalties for driving under the influence stricter.

Getting charged with driving under the influence can have devastating consequences to your family, professional and social lives. Now, lawmakers hope new legislation will allow for interlock devices that test your blood alcohol content level to be installed in vehicles of drivers who are convicted of DUI, even after the first offense. They act as a breathalyzer that restricts drivers from driving if there is alcohol in their systems. The car will not start if alcohol is detected.

This interlock device would ad yet another expense to the legal charges of driving under the influence in Virginia. Charges of DUI are very serious, and now a mistake might cost you even more, if a law is proposed that requires jail time for your first DUI. If people are put in jail, they will lose wages and face problems at work. With a tough economy and poor job market, people can't afford to lose time at work, especially because they face DUI charges.

Working with an experienced DUI attorney can help you minimize publicity, possibly get charges reduced and make sure you get treated fairly by authorities. With the likely toughening of laws by the legislature and governor, it is important to remember if you are arrested for driving under the influence that you can speak with an attorney about your rights.

Source: WHSV, "Possible Changes To DUI Laws?," Tim Wronka, Jan. 9, 2012