DUI/DWI in Virginia: What the Court Data Shows

According to 22,867 public court records from 2025, DUI / DWI cases across 113 Virginia jurisdictions have an average dismissal rate of 12.3% and an average conviction rate of 86.0%.

DUI/DWI is one of the most commonly charged offenses in Virginia courts. This page examines what public court records reveal about how DUI/DWI cases are actually resolved across the state.

How DUI/DWI Cases Move Through the System

While every case is different, DUI/DWI cases in Virginia generally proceed through the court system in stages. The specifics depend on the jurisdiction, the circumstances of the case, and whether the defendant has legal representation.

Our data tracks public outcomes at the end of this process — the final disposition recorded by the court. These dispositions include dismissals, guilty pleas, trials resulting in conviction or acquittal, and charge amendments.

Understanding the Statistics

When reviewing our DUI/DWI data, keep in mind:

• Dismissal includes both judicial dismissals and nolle prosequi (where the prosecutor declines to pursue the case)
• Conviction rate includes both guilty pleas and findings of guilt at trial
• Case duration measures calendar days from filing to final disposition
• These are aggregate statistics — individual outcomes depend on the specific facts of each case

Next Steps

For information about Virginia DUI laws and potential penalties, consult a licensed Virginia attorney or visit the Virginia Legislative Information System.

To explore how DUI/DWI cases are resolved in your specific court, view our DUI/DWI data by jurisdiction.