What does the sentencing data show for DUI / DWI in Arlington County?

For those convicted of DUI / DWI in Arlington County, the average sentence recorded is 4.1 months (including suspended time). Actual sentences depend on the specifics of each case. Consult a licensed attorney for guidance on your situation.

DUI / DWI in Arlington County, VA — 9.5% Dismissal Rate

Q: What are the case outcomes for DUI / DWI in Arlington County?

Based on 1204 cases in Arlington County (2023-2024 public records), 9.5% are dismissed, 87.5% result in a guilty plea, and 2.4% end in acquittal. The median case takes 6.1 months. Individual outcomes depend on the specific facts of each case.

Q: What is the dismissal rate for DUI / DWI in Arlington County?

The dismissal rate is 9.5%, based on 1204 cases from 2023-2024 public court records. This includes judicial dismissals and nolle prosequi.

Q: How long does a DUI / DWI case take in Arlington County?

The median case takes 6.1 months. The fastest 25% resolve in 3.8 months, while the slowest 25% take 10.8 months or longer. Duration depends on factors specific to each case.

Q: What is the conviction rate for DUI / DWI in Arlington County?

The conviction rate for DUI / DWI in Arlington County is 88.1%, based on 1204 cases from 2023-2024 public court records. This includes guilty pleas and findings of guilt at trial.

Q: How does Arlington County compare to other courts for DUI / DWI?

Arlington County has a 9.5% dismissal rate for DUI / DWI. Visit the DUI / DWI overview page to compare dismissal rates, conviction rates, and case timelines across all Virginia jurisdictions.

In Arlington County, DUI/DWI defendants face a high conviction rate of 88.1 percent, slightly below Virginia's statewide average of 90.5 percent. The dismissal rate of 9.5 percent in Arlington trails the statewide rate of 11.9 percent by 2.4 percentage points, suggesting this jurisdiction prosecutes these cases more aggressively or that fewer cases meet the threshold for dismissal. Only 2.4 percent of cases result in acquittal, indicating that trial outcomes rarely favor defendants. The vast majority of cases—87.5 percent—resolve through plea agreements rather than trial.

Charge reductions are common, occurring in 40.4 percent of cases. Most defendants see charges reduced to DWI, First Offense (55.7 percent of reductions), while others are reduced to general misdemeanors or reckless driving. The median case takes six months to resolve, with most cases completing between 3.8 and 10.8 months. Sentenced defendants face a median penalty of 90 days, though the average stretches to 124 days due to lengthier sentences in some cases. Fines average $308.

40.4% of DUI / DWI cases in Arlington County are reduced to lesser charges. Free, no obligation.

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9.5%

Dismissal Rate

Statewide avg: 11.7%

88.1%

Conviction Rate

Statewide avg: 86.8%

6.1 months

Median Duration

Case Outcomes

How 1,204 cases were resolved — dismissed means the case was dropped by the court or prosecutor.

87.5%

Dismissed 9.5% Guilty Plea 87.5% Found Guilty 0.6% Acquitted 2.4%

Source: 1,204 public court records, Arlington County Courts, 2023–2024 — VirginiaCourtFile.com

Case Duration

Time from filing to final disposition — half of cases resolve faster than the median.

Fastest 25% 3.8 months

Median 6.1 months

Slowest 25% 10.8 months

Sentencing When Convicted

4.1 months

Avg Sentence

3.0 months

Median Sentence

$308

Avg Fine

Charge Reductions

When the original charge is amended to a lesser offense, usually through negotiation between the attorney and prosecutor.

40.4% of DUI / DWI cases
in Arlington County are reduced

362 cases had their charge amended to a lesser offense.

Most common reductions

DUI / DWI DWI, First Offense

191 cases

DUI / DWI Reckless Driving (Misdemeanor)

136 cases

DUI / DWI Reckless Driving

16 cases

Where you are in the process

Within 10 days of arrest — Request an administrative DMV hearing to challenge your license suspension. Missing this deadline means automatic suspension.
3-6 weeks — First court appearance (arraignment). The charge is formally presented. Most defendants have an attorney by this point.
1-4 months — Pre-trial period. Your attorney negotiates with the prosecutor. 40.4% of DUI cases in Arlington County are reduced to lesser charges during this phase.
6.1 months (median) — Typical time to resolution in Arlington County. Half of cases resolve faster, half take longer.

Arresting Officers — Dismissal Rates

Officers whose DUI / DWI arrests in Arlington County are dismissed most frequently. Minimum 10 cases.

Officer	Cases	Dismissal Rate
K Kohl	11	33.3%
N Neptune	23	31.6%
S Holt	10	30.0%
N Phan	13	14.3%
D Mellone	20	11.8%

Common Questions

Statistics from public court records for informational purposes only. Not legal advice. Past outcomes do not predict future results. Consult a licensed attorney for guidance on your case.

Based on 1,204 cases in Arlington County, 9.5% are dismissed, 87.5% result in a guilty plea, and 2.4% end in acquittal. The median case takes 6.1 months from filing to resolution. Outcomes vary based on the specifics of each case.

The dismissal rate for DUI / DWI in Arlington County is 9.5%, based on 1,204 cases from 2023–2024 public court records. This includes cases dismissed by the court and nolle prosequi (dropped by the prosecutor).

The median DUI / DWI case in Arlington County takes 6.1 months. The fastest 25% resolve in 3.8 months, while the slowest 25% take 10.8 months or longer. Duration depends on factors like whether the case goes to trial, plea negotiations, and court scheduling.

For those convicted of DUI / DWI in Arlington County, the average fine is $308 and the average sentence is 4.1 months (including suspended time). Actual penalties depend on the circumstances of each case, prior record, and other factors.

The conviction rate for DUI / DWI in Arlington County is 88.1%, based on 1,204 cases from 2023-2024 public court records. This includes both guilty pleas and findings of guilt at trial. For guidance on your specific situation, consult a licensed Virginia attorney.

40.4% of DUI / DWI cases in Arlington County are reduced to lesser charges based on 2023-2024 court records. The most common reduction is to DWI, First Offense (191 cases).

Arlington County has a 9.5% dismissal rate for DUI / DWI cases. Outcomes can vary significantly across Virginia courts. View our DUI / DWI overview page to compare dismissal rates, conviction rates, and case timelines across all jurisdictions.

For those convicted of DUI / DWI in Arlington County, the average sentence recorded is 4.1 months (including suspended time) with a median of 3.0 months. Actual sentences depend on the specifics of each case. Consult a licensed attorney for guidance on your situation.

Data source: Virginia public court records, 2023–2024. 1,204 cases analyzed for DUI / DWI in Arlington County. Last updated December 2024. — VirginiaCourtFile.com

What's Next

40.4% of DUI / DWI cases in Arlington County are reduced to a lesser charge. An attorney who knows this court can tell you what that means for your situation.

Ask a Arlington County attorney — free