In the Circuit Court of Calhoun County, Judge Anita Harold Ashley held a plea hearings on Tuesday, July 29th, 2025 for Darren Nicholas Parsons who pled guilty to the following three charges:
- Fleeing in a vehicle while driving under the Influence (Possible sentencing: confined in a state correctional facility not less than three nor more than 10 years.
- Fleeing in a vehicle while driving with reckless indifference (Possible sentencing: fined not less than $1,000 nor more than $2,000 and shall be confined in a state correctional facility not less than one nor more than five years.
- Grand Larceny, (Possible sentencing: shall be imprisoned in the penitentiary not less than one nor more than ten years, or, in the discretion of the court, be confined in jail not more than one year and shall be fined not more than $2,500.)
Prosecuting Attorney Hicks requested that sentence enhancement be applied to Mr. Parsons sentencing when given.
Mr. Parsons appeared with attorney Keisha May, telling the Judge that he willingly took the plea and understood that the sentence range could be from 10 to 25 years in prison and thousands of dollars in fines.
When ask what evidence the State had against Darren Nicholas Parsons, Prosecuting Attorney Michael Hicks responded that the file was to be used as evidence.
DUI Penalties in West Virginia:
- First Offense:
Typically results in a misdemeanor charge with potential penalties including jail time (up to six months), fines, and license suspension. - Second Offense:
Within 10 years of a prior DUI conviction, it becomes a misdemeanor with increased penalties, potentially including longer jail time and higher fines. - Third or Subsequent Offense:
Within 10 years of prior DUI convictions, it’s a felony with potentially significant prison sentences (1-3 years) and higher fines.
Driving While Revoked for DUI:
- First Offense:
Misdemeanor with 30 days to 6 months in jail and fines between $100 and $500. - Second Offense:
Misdemeanor with 6 months to 1 year in jail and fines between $1,000 and $3,000. - Third or Subsequent Offense:
Felony with at least 1 year in prison and fines between $3,000 and $5,000. - Additional Penalties:
Suspension or revocation period can be extended by 6 months, and home detention may be an alternative sentence.
Important Considerations:
- BAC Limits:
West Virginia has a per se BAC limit of 0.08%. If a driver’s BAC is at or above this level, they can be charged with DUI. - Impairment Regardless of BAC:
Even if a driver’s BAC is below 0.08%, they can still be charged with DUI if an officer believes they were impaired by alcohol, drugs, or controlled substances. - Prior Convictions:
Prior DUI convictions within 10 years are used to enhance penalties for subsequent DUI offenses. - Felony Charges:
Third or subsequent DUI offenses are felonies in West Virginia. - Deferral Program:
West Virginia has a deferral program for some first-time DUI offenders where proceedings can be deferred, and probation imposed if certain conditions are met.
Original charges against Mr. Parsons were as follows:
- GRAND LARCENY-1
- LEFT OF CENTER
- SPEEDING
- DRIVING SUSPENDED 2ND OFFENSE
- DUI
- FLEEING WHILE DUI
- FLEEING WITH RECKLESS INDIFFERENCE (1)
- FLEEING WITH RECKLESS INDIFFERENCE (2)
Darren Nicholas Parsons is also facing charges in Ritchie and Wirt Counties as well.
| County | Case number | Charges | Bond |
| Ritchie County | 24-M43-M-0005824-M43M-00058 | 1. Grand Larceny 2. Wrongful injury to timber | $30,000.00 |
| Wirt County | 24-M53M-0020724-M53M-0020724-M53M-0020724-M53M-0020724-M53M-0020724-M53M-00207 | 1. Fleeing with reckless indifference 2. Left of Center 3. Left of Center 4. Speeding 5. Driving. Suspended 6. DUI Controlled substance | $25,000.00 |
