DUI Law in Florida
What is a DUI?
Are you facing a costly DUI in Florida?
DUI, which refers to driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs, is a criminal offense that can lead to weighty consequences. Also known as DWI, the process of going to court to face either conviction or exoneration can change the course of your life forever.
Learn more about your DUI law defense options below, and then talk to a local attorney who will help you in this delicate situation. You don’t have to stare down consequences alone. You can take wise steps today to protect your interests.
Possible Consequences of a Florida DUI Conviction
Where you live, the severity of the incident, and your criminal record determine the sentencing for a DUI. The punishments can drastically increase if you have had previous DUIs, so be mindful of that. If this is your first DUI, do not go at it alone and risk costly mistakes. Get a Florida law firm on your side to fight for you and your rights.
Here are some of the possible high costs and common punishments you may experience if convicted following a DUI arrest.
Paying Fines
If convicted of driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs in Florida, you can count on fines being a part of your sentencing. Florida DUI fines can range from $500 to $5000 for up to three DUIs. A fourth DUI conviction has no limit on the fine that can be imposed. However, other factors can drastically increase the amount you must pay, including:
- Any damage to property while driving under the influence
- If someone suffered injuries as a result of your intoxicated driving
- Cases that include child endangerment
- Any court costs associated with your case
The fines you owe following a conviction can range from a few hundred dollars to thousands of dollars, depending on your case. Will you face costly jail time?
Jail Time
In several states, jail time is mandatory, even for first-time offenders. If this is your first DUI offense, you may only have to face a day or two in jail. But if you have previous convictions for DUIs, you can receive a sentence of several months to over a year in prison. Know that some circumstances can add even more time in a cell, including injury to other people while driving under the influence.
According to the State of Florida, your first DUI offense can carry a jail sentence of up to 6 months. Subsequent convictions can put you in jail for as long as 5 years. Additionally, terms of imprisonment can be increased for high blood alcohol levels, or if there are minors in the vehicle.
Probation
If you do not face jail time, you will likely be on probation, with the sentencing judge determining the duration. You will pay monthly fees, and you cannot commit any more criminal offenses, including traffic violations. If you violate the terms of your probation, count on facing time behind bars.
Judges in Florida are required to place all first-time DUI offenders on probation. Probations are under the jurisdiction of the Department of Corrections, and the terms can include alcohol treatment or education. A violation of your probation can result in jail time up to the maximum allowed for the original conviction.
Drug and Alcohol Education Program
After a DUI conviction, the law requires you to complete a drug and alcohol education program. These programs aim to educate participants about the dangers of driving under the influence and come with additional fees on top of the legal costs you’re already facing.
As part of the program, you’ll also undergo a DUI evaluation. During this assessment, an evaluator will ask about how alcohol and drugs impact your life. If they determine that you have a dependency, you may need to complete a substance abuse treatment program before your license can be reinstated.
Suspension or Loss of License
No matter where you may face a DUI conviction, you have to undergo a license suspension period, at the very least. If it is your first DUI, you may have a license suspension for a few months while you go through probation and the drug and alcohol education program.
If this is not your first DUI, you may have your license suspended for much longer, or you could have it taken from you permanently.
What Should You Do When Charged With a DUI in Florida?
If you’re facing a felony DUI charge, you must take the following steps to protect yourself:
Step 1: Contact an Attorney Familiar With Florida DUI Law
Immediately following your DUI arrest, you need to contact an experienced Florida DUI attorney. Your attorney can help prepare for your arraignment and prepare a defense to vindicate yourself or reduce the sentencing.
Step 2: Learn About Your State’s DUI Laws
Each state, including Florida, has unique laws for DUI or DWI charges. Your lawyer will work with you to help you better understand your state’s laws on driving while intoxicated. It is critical to understand what charges you face and the potential outcomes of your case.
Step 3: Request a DMV Hearing
In Florida, you have a short amount of time to ask for a DMV hearing to keep your license leading up to your court appearance. If you do not request a hearing, prepare for a license suspension. You or your attorney should request a hearing as soon as possible following your arrest.
A DUI in Florida typically results in a minimum license revocation of 180 days. You can request a hearing with the Florida Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles to dispute the revocation. In addition, if you can show substantial hardship, you may request to and possibly have your license reinstated.
Step 4: Prepare for Court Appearance
You and your attorney will prepare for your court appearance and arraignment. If you plead “not guilty,” your DUI defense attorney represents you in court, and a judge and jury oversee the DUI law case.
Step 5: Receive Sentencing or Exoneration
You will either be “not guilty” of the charges brought against you and walk free, or you will receive sentencing for a guilty verdict.
Work with an Experienced Local DUI Lawyer in Florida
Should you ever find yourself charged with a DUI, you need to work with an experienced Florida lawyer who can stand up for you in court. You cannot clear your name of the charges or reduce the consequences without help. Your life and future depend on having great legal representation during your DUI case. Contact an attorney near you in Florida today. We can even help you connect with legal help across Florida state lines.
Submit a request online or call us today at (866) 345-6784 to speak with an experienced lawyer in your area!
About the Author
Aaron is a professional legal writer with a B.S. in English Education from Southern Illinois University – Carbondale. He has written, published, and edited thousands of legal articles for RequestLegalHelp, which has connected over 5 million people to legal help in the United States.
With over five years of experience writing thousands of legal articles for law firms across the U.S. and Canada, Aaron specializes in covering federal, state, and city-level legal issues ranging from auto accidents to wrongful terminations.
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