Have you recently had a Florida DUI arrest? The first and most important thing to remember is that you do not have to let this arrest ruin your life. As the leading DUI defense attorney in Florida, I defend clients who have been arrested for DUI, DWI, and BUI. I have handled thousands of Florida DUI cases over the course of my career. I am the DUI defense attorney in Florida that can win your DUI case. If you have any questions about your arrest then you can call me, email me or text me. I don't care what time you call, your Florida DUI arrest questions are very important and will be answered by me immediately.
Many people make the common mistake by thinking that a DUI is just a traffic ticket, but it is far more serious than that. A DUI is a criminal offense, usually a misdemeanor, (but if this is your third DUI within 10 years it becomes a felony, or if this is your 4th DUI, it is also considered a felony), that can have the potential to haunt you for many years. I am experienced and qualified to handle misdemeanor DUI cases, felony DUI cases due to prior convictions, and felony DUI cases involving serious injury or death. I also specialize in DUI cases with accompanying possession charges and DUI cases relating to being under the influence of drugs. A DUI conviction will alter the rest of your life.
There are serious consequences to a DUI conviction which will have life long effects on many things, including your current and future employment, sky rocketing insurance rates, your privilege to drive and the possibility of going to jail for several months. If you go to trial and lose, even on your first DUI case, the judge can sentence you to up to 180 days in jail. I have been handling Florida DUI Arrests since 1994 and I am the Florida DUI defense attorney that you need to win your case. If you have a Florida DUI arrest, and you are serious about your defense, you are going to want a lawyer who specializes in DUI law and is a skilled DUI defense attorney.
When you left the jail, you should have been given a copy of your DUI citation. This DUI ticket is your driver's license for the 10 days following your arrest, only if your driver’s license was valid on the day you were arrested. To confirm this, check the bottom of the DUI citation and see if the correct boxes are checked; if the “license surrendered” box is checked and the “eligible for permit” box is checked, then you are allowed to drive on this DUI ticket for 10 days. This is a valid license, not a hardship license or a business purpose only license, allowing you to drive without restriction. You only have 10 days from the date of your arrest to file for your license hearing and as of October 1st, 2009, the State of Florida has decided that you should pay a filing fee to be able to have this hearing. This is why it is most important that you contact this Florida DUI defense attorney specialist as soon as you can after your arrest. When you call me to review your arrest, I will gladly show you the flaws in the officer's report.
Once I file for your license hearing, the hearing must be held within 30 days of the filing date. I have won numerous hearings because the clerk sets the hearing outside of the 30 day window. Most DUI defense attorneys in Florida do not know this rule even exists. During this 30 day period, I will review the officer's police report and video if one was taken. I will then decide if the police officers should be subpoenaed or to just make a legal argument with no officers there. While this is taking place, I will provide you with a temporary driver's license that will be valid for about 42 days. This new permit is not as good as your regular license and will have restrictions. When we speak, I will explain the restrictions. If I win your license hearing you will be able to obtain a duplicate driver's license. If the hearing is lost, you will not be able to drive for a period of time depending on several issues including if you refused the breath test and if you have prior DUI convictions. You will be eligible for a hardship license on the first and any consecutive suspension, unless you have been convicted of a DUI in Florida two or more times.
The laws in Florida have become more stringent and it is important that you have a lawyer with experience on your side to defend you after your Florida DUI Arrest.
1st time Florida DUI Arrest Offenders
A first DUI conviction in Florida can land you among several penalties and punishments:
- Up to 180 days in County jail
- Your driving privileges will be suspended for no less than 180 days or more than one year
- No less than $250 or more than a $500 fine
- No more than one year of probation
- Court ordered DUI school
- Participation in a Victim Awareness Program
- No less than 50 hours of community service
- Court costs
If your blood alcohol level or breath alcohol level was .2 or higher or you were accompanied in the vehicle by someone under 18 years of age you could face:
- No more than 270 days in County jail
- Fine that will be no less than $500 or no more than $1000
- The court shall order at your expense, an Ignition Interlock Device for up to 180 days
Both types of cases also include:
- Permanent DUI conviction on your record
- Insurance costs will skyrocket if they do not drop your coverage
- Vehicle impoundment for 10 days
2nd conviction for Florida DUI Arrest
A second drunk driving conviction in Florida will result in up to 9 months in jail. If a minor was in the vehicle at the time of the arrest, or the driver had a BAC of .15 percent or higher, a sentence of no more than 12 months in jail will be issued. If the second conviction of drunk driving is within 5 years of the first, the driver must be imprisoned for a mandatory 10 days, 48 hours of the confinement must be consecutive. Unless the family of the convicted driver has no other means of transportation the vehicle will be impounded for 30 days. The convicted driver will also receive a fine of no less than $1,000 and no more than $2,000. If the driver's BAC was .15 percent or higher or there was a minor in the vehicle the fine will be no less than $2,000 and no more than $4,000. If within 5 years, a minimum drivers license suspension of 5 years will be imposed. If eligible, a hardship reinstatement may be issued after 1 year. You must also complete DUI school as directed by the court.
3rd conviction for Florida DUI Arrest
A third drunk driving conviction in Florida will result in up to 12 months in jail, 30 days of the jail sentence is mandatory and 48 hours must be served consecutively. Unless the family of the convicted driver has no other means of transportation, the vehicle will be impounded for 90 days. The convicted driver will also receive a fine of no less than $2,000 and no more than $5,000. If the driver's BAC was .15 percent or higher, or a minor was in the vehicle during the DUI, the fine will be no less than $4,000. A minimum drivers license suspension of 10 years will be imposed. If eligible, a hardship reinstatement may be issued after 2 years.
4th conviction for Florida DUI Arrest
A fourth drunk driving conviction will result in up to 5 years in jail as provided in the State of Florida statutes as a habitual offender. On your fourth drunk driving conviction, your license will be revoked for life, without any possibility of receiving a hardship reinstatement. The fine will be no less than $2,000. As you can see, Florida DUI Laws for a 4th conviction are very tough.
If you look at my previous wins page you will see how I win cases. Understanding Florida DUI laws and courtroom proceedings can be a challenge, but it is not impossible. Every DUI case can be won, don't let one bad night ruin the rest of your life, call me after your Florida DUI Arrest, day or night to discuss your case at 888 DUI 8 DUI.
You may also contact me online for more information on Florida DUI arrests.
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Randy Goodis
Attorney at Law |
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