Obviously, one with a track record of successfully defending their clients is important. Still, there are a few characteristics that you should look for when you’re sitting down with a potential lawyer for your free consultation. According to Florida state law, if you are involved in an accident that causes property damage or personal injury, you will be guilty of a first-degree misdemeanor. An accident involving serious bodily injury will result in a third-degree felony ($5,000 fine and five years in prison).
DUI can result in penalties that start at $500 and range all the way up to $5,000. Under Florida Statutes §316.193, fines depend on a variety of factors, including your BAC when pulled over, as well as any prior convictions. For a first-time DUI offense, you will probably NOT go to jail unless you caused an accident that resulted in the injury or death of another person. Most people who serve time in jail for DUI are repeat offenders with multiple convictions.
Navigating the legal system alone can be overwhelming and confusing. Hiring an experienced Tampa DUI lawyer is crucial to protect your rights and achieve the best possible outcome. The first steps you take immediately following an arrest for DUI are crucial.
DUI Case Results
In those cases, the prosecutor might not file charges until after the blood test results are returned, which can take several months. Our DUI defense attorneys represent clients charged with a first DUI or a second or subsequent offense. Whether you took the breath test, blood test, urine test, or refused to submit to the test, we can help you fight the charge. You should hire a Tampa DUI lawyer to maximize your chance of avoiding conviction if possible or, at the very least, mitigating your penalties.
- The article lists the best DUI defense strategies available under Florida law.
- Do not assume that you can defend yourself against DUI charges on your own, even if you know you were wrongfully arrested and did not break the law.
- We should be responsible of alcohol that we are drinking so that we can put a limitation to our actions.
- We understand the gravity of such accusations and their potential consequences on your life.
- A DUI conviction on your criminal record might cause potential employers to make negative assumptions about your character and be unwilling to offer you a job.
- The defense attorney will present evidence and argue on behalf of the accused.
Preparing Your Defense in a DUI Case
Also, a DUI conviction can at times cause problems with a person’s employment or military career. An experienced Hillsborough County DUI lawyer can explain to you the collateral consequences you may face. At arraignment, the judge can formally inform the accused of the charges and asked how the accused wants to plead. If you hire Tampa DUI defense attorney, he dui lawyers tampa or she will plead not guilty on your behalf so you won’t need to appear at arraignment. Your Tampa DUI defense attorney will also demand that the Hillsborough County State Attorney’s Office disclose all the evidence they have in the case against you. It’s important to hire an experienced Tampa DUI defense attorney to minimize the time of any driver’s license suspensions.
Essentially, it represents the percentage of alcohol in one’s blood. For instance, a BAC of 0.08 means there are 0.08 grams of alcohol for every 100 milliliters of blood. This emotional toll can be especially severe if the incident led to an accident or injury. Beyond personal feelings, there’s the challenge of explaining the situation to family, friends, and employers. Relationships can be strained, especially if loved ones feel betrayed or endangered by the individual’s actions.
Certain medical conditions or medications can mimic the symptoms of intoxication and return a positive result on a breathalyzer. Conditions like diabetes and acid reflux, as well as certain diets, can cause a breathalyzer to register a false positive. Additionally, medications you are taking might produce side effects that are similar to alcohol impairment. Often, this is enough to raise reasonable doubt, requiring an acquittal.
At the formal review hearing, the DHSMV hearing officer can either uphold or invalidate the administrative suspension of your driver’s license. A second DUI within five years can trigger mandatory jail time, ignition interlock device requirements, and license revocation. A third DUI, especially within ten years, may be charged as a felony, significantly impacting your future with lasting legal and personal consequences. MADD Florida – The mission of Mothers Against Drunk Driving in Florida is to stop drunk driving, support the victims of DUI crimes, and prevent underage drinking.