Practice Areas
Blog 
Legal News
- DUI & Texting Proves Fatal to Two; Disastrous to One
Posted on 8/31/2011 - 12 Years Assessed for DUI Death in Hanover, Virginia
Posted on 8/16/2011 - Virginia Police Officer Sentenced on DUI Conviction
Posted on 4/5/2011
Library
DUI & Reckless Driving Defense
Field Sobriety Tests (FSTs) have been proven to be unreliable indicators of driver impairment, though most people do not know this. Find out what you should know before deciding whether to do them or not.
Aggressive and Reckless Driving Charges in Virginia Requires a Good Defense Because Conviction of One Will Show Up on Your Permanent Criminal record
Virginia's "Implied Consent" Statute Compels One Charged With DUI to Give Evidence Against Himself or Lose His License
Firm News
Richmond Councilman Pleads No Contest to DUI Charge
Posted on Dec 07, 2009
Even elcted officials are within the reach of the "long arm of the law."
On December 7, 2009, Richmond City Councilman E. Martin Jewell pleaded "no contest" to driving under the influence in October and apologized to his constituents. A "no contest" plea -- "nolo contendere" in Latin legalese -- is made when the defendant concedes that there is sufficient evidence to convict him, but does not admit guilt. In effect, the person has elected not to contest the charge.
"I was wrong to drink and drive. I made a mistake, and I'm going to step up and be responsible for it," the 5th District council member said.
He was fined $500, with $250 suspended, and imposed a suspended 90-day jail sentence. Jewell's driver license was suspended for 12 months, but he will be allowed to drive to and from work, including City Council functions.
He also was referred to an alcohol-treatment program that will last at least 10 weeks. His attorney said the sentence was standard for the first-time offender.
Richmond police pulled over and arrested Jewell about 1:30 a.m. Oct. 24 near Byrd Park. His attorney said Jewell's blood-alcohol reading was 0.11 percent. In Virginia, as in other states who have bowed to federal government pressure to impose such a low limit or risk losing federal highway funds, a motorist is presumed to be legally intoxicated with a blood-alcohol concentration of 0.08 percent or higher.
Jewell would not discuss details of the night of his arrest but said he and his son had attended a party at a friend's house that coincided with homecoming weekend at Virginia Union University.
Read More About Richmond Councilman Pleads No Contest to DUI Charge...
Mr. Stelly regularly appears in the courts of the City of Richmond, Henrico County, Chesterfield County, Goochland County, and Hanover County.
Email Newsletter
Free Reports
Free Case Evaluation
Begin your case review by filling out the form below or call us at 1-804-726-4778.
Law Chambers of Anton J. Stelly
P.O. Box 11276
6002A West Broad Street
Suite 205
Richmond, Virginia 23230-1276
Phone: (804) 726-4778
Fax: (804) 726-4779
Get Directions