Virginia Louise Landry

I personally want to take a moment to share my gratitude. The office of Virginia Landry and the entire staff has tremendously helped me. I got my DUI, which was a felony due to the BAC and the fact there was an accident. I was terrified of what the entire outcome would be. As soon as I entered the office, i was treated as family. My stress lessened and I instantly knew that i was in great hands. They thoroughly explained the details of my case and instantly went to work. Apparently, they are very well respected in the court system. They did all the footwork for me. I still know that I made a huge mistake, but with their help, it definitely lessened the blow of what the judge could have and would have laid on me. This took place back in 2011, and with successful completion of all required by probation, they went back to work for me and got it expunged. Which, may not always be the case, but they did it. Now i am able to have this fresh start for my daughter and I. I can now go to school and get into the medical field, or there are so many more opportunities. Thank you all that were a part of this journey and always being so prompt and understanding. Thank you for helping change my life again, but for the best. I appreciate you all!

In July of 2014, as a 22 year old, I was arrested and charged, unjustly, with a DUI. This was my second DUI arrest, which is obviously a potentially serious and definitely stressful, situation for most to encounter. My first DUI arrest was four years prior, in July 2010, which I was later convicted for in February of 2011. I fulfilled all court requirements for that conviction, and learned my lesson thoroughly. My second DUI arrest happened in July 2014 and was not filed against me until December of 2014. I researched various DUI lawyers following my arrest, and consulted with multiple lawyers regarding my case. I decided to hire Virginia's firm after my consultations, and I must say I was fully satisfied with their thoughtful care in handling my case from start to finish. To expand on details in regards to my case, I was charged with a combination DUI, which includes drug impairment in combination with alcohol. The drug I was accused to be impaired by was marijuana, upon which I learned, through Virginia's expertise, that there are two levels of usage detection which are examined. The two levels of usage detection consist of: (1.) inactive marijuana chemical presence, & (2.) active marijuana chemical presence. Inactive chemical presence is considered long-term chemical presence, and does not, by itself, classify a user as currently impaired. Active chemical presence, on the other hand, can classify a marijuana user as "impaired," or "intoxicated." My blood results showed both inactive and active levels of marijuana chemicals, therefore, I was considered to be driving while "intoxicated." My BAC level was just .04, which is under the legal limit to drive, but my active marijuana chemicals in combination with those minimal alcohol levels, were what enabled the prosecution to categorize me as a "DUI." The major issue was that I never actually drove my car, but since I was technically behind the wheel of the car while the engine was running, at the time of the CHP officer's intervention, I was able to be legally classified as the driver of the car. I never intentionally moved the car, I only switched seats from the passenger's seat into the driver's seat, while the initial driver who caused the CHP to follow and stop my car, did the opposite (switched out of the driver's seat and into the passenger's seat). The real, true driver was given a driving citation for driving my car without an active driver's license. Since she was obviously the driver, and I only rode along as passenger, and switched into the driver's seat only after the initial driver's hysterical demand for me to switch seats with her, following our being pulled over, I had an optimistic place to begin my case in court. My lawyer (Virginia) essentially argued that I was never the driver of the vehicle, and took the stance that I was merely "defending my property," which is typically seen as an acceptable defense in court. She filed motions to suppress evidence, which essentially prevents the prosecution from using any evidence against me, that was obtained after we were stopped by the CHP. I was argued to have never been the "driver" of the car, and therefore, I could not have been charged with any driving offenses. Virginia handled all of my court appearances, with exception of the final appearance, in which I was required to appear in front of the judge. In this appearance, the Orange County District Attorney agreed to dismiss my charges altogether. At this point, in June 2015, all my worries disappeared, and I was able to carry on about my life without any worries of legal troubles. I was fully satisfied with Virginia's handling of my case, and highly recommend this experienced attorney to anyone facing DUI charges, or other various criminal charges. She has a wealth of successful experience in the industry, and should be at the top of your list if you're in the market for a defense lawyer.