Common Violations

By partaking in certain activities, you endanger your future. The following all-too-common violations of the Virginia law have derailed promising college careers at VCU. Don’t let them derail yours.

Violation	Penalty
Va. Code § 4.1-305 Purchase or possession or consumption of alcoholic beverages by a person under 21 years of age.	Class 1 misdemeanor; and upon conviction, (i) such person shall be ordered to pay a mandatory minimum fine of $500 or ordered to perform a mandatory minimum of 50 hours of community service as a condition of probation supervision and (ii) the license to operate a motor vehicle in the Commonwealth of any such person age 18 or older shall be suspended for a period of not less than six months and not more than one year.
Va. Code § 4.1-306 Purchasing alcoholic beverages for underage persons.	Class 1 misdemeanor
Va. Code § 4.1-308 Drinking alcoholic beverages, or offering to another, in public place	Class 4 misdemeanor
Va. Code § 18.2-323.1 Drinking alcoholic beverages while operating a motor vehicle.	Class 4 misdemeanor
Va. Code § 18.2-266 Driving under the influence (DUI)	Class 1 misdemeanor
Va. Code § 18.2-388 Public intoxication	Class 4 misdemeanor
Va. Code § 18.2-204.2 Manufacture, sell and possess any fictitious driver’s license or identification card.	Class 1 misdemeanor for manufacturing or selling. Class 2 misdemeanor for possessing.
Richmond City Code of Ordinances § 19-3 Possessing an open alcoholic beverage container in public parks, playgrounds and streets.	Class 4 misdemeanor

Virginia Penalties for Driving Under the Influence (DUI)

Penalty	First Offense	Second Offense (within 5-10 years)	Third Offense (within 5-10 years)
Jail (18.2-270)	Minimum: none, Maximum: 12 months, Mandatory: none	Minimum: 1 month, Maximum: 1 year, Mandatory: 20 days / 10 days	Minimum: 6 months / 90 days, Maximum: 5 years, Mandatory: 6 months / 90 days
Fines (18.2-270)	Minimum: $250, Maximum: $2,500, Mandatory: $250	Minimum: $500, Maximum: $2,500, Mandatory: none	Minimum: $1,000, Maximum: $1,000, Mandatory: $1,000
Loss of License (18.2-271)	Minimum: 1 year, Maximum 1 year	Minimum: 3 years, Maximum: 3 years	Indefinite
Virginia Alcohol Safety Action Program (18.2-271.1)	Available: Yes, Restricted License: Yes	Available: Yes, Restricted License: Yes	Available: No, Restricted License: No