This Can’t Be Happening: DUI Charges In Florida
Perhaps you were on vacation in Vero Beach. Maybe you were just enjoying a drink or two over dinner along the ocean. After leaving, you were suddenly startled to find the flashing lights of a police car close behind. You pulled over, and you realized the officer wants you to engage in field sobriety tests and, adding to your disorientation, wound up arresting you on a DUI charge.
For many people in Florida, a DUI arrest is their first experience with the criminal justice system. It can be frightening and overwhelming. DUI charges can have serious legal consequences, and you need an attorney to help protect your rights and guide you through this process.
You Need To Seek Legal Help Within 10 Days
It is critical you contact Adam Chrzan, Attorney At Law, in less than 10 days. Within that time, you need to request an administrative hearing or waive the hearing. If you don’t request that hearing, you could lose your license for up to one year.
An administrative hearing can also be important, because it allows the arresting officer to be asked questions under oath, which may be valuable during a criminal case to undermine the grounds for the traffic stop that led to the DUI charges.
DUI Standard Is Not Always .08 BAC
While for many drivers .08 blood alcohol content is the legal limit, for some drivers, it may be lower. Much lower. Drivers under age 21 cannot have .02 BAC, and for drivers holding a CDL, the limit is .04 BAC.
The DUI laws in Florida are complex, and if this is your first offense, you may find the options bewildering. That’s why you need experienced legal advice from Adam Chrzan, who can review your specific situation and explain your options to best resolve the charges.
What Are The Penalties For A DUI In Florida?
Florida imposes strict penalties for DUI offenses that increase with each conviction. A first offense brings fines between $500 and $1,000, up to six months in jail and license suspension from 180 days to one year. For blood alcohol levels of .15% or higher, the minimum fine rises to $1,000 plus mandatory installation of an ignition interlock device.
DUI convictions may also require the completion of DUI school and community service hours. Courts often require substance abuse evaluation and treatment at the defendant’s expense.
Not Your First DUI Arrest?
For drivers facing a second or third DUI charge, it becomes even more important to have an attorney representing your interests. The penalties can become even more severe, and you need to respond properly to avoid significant fines and the potential for time behind bars.
Second offenses within five years carry fines from $1,000 to $2,000, up to nine months in jail and mandatory ignition interlock device installation for at least one year. Your license faces suspension for up to five years with a mandatory revocation of at least one year.
Third offenses within 10 years become third-degree felonies with fines approaching $5,000, potential imprisonment for up to five years and a mandatory 10-year license revocation. Even outside the 10-year window, third offenses mean minimum fines of $2,000 and up to 12 months in jail.
What Happens After A DUI Arrest?
The process starts with a traffic stop due to erratic driving or a sobriety checkpoint. Officers conduct standardized field sobriety tests and may request a breathalyzer test. Florida law makes refusing these tests grounds for automatic license suspension.
After arrest and booking, you appear before a judge for bail. You have 10 days to request an administrative hearing about your license suspension – this runs separately from the criminal case.
Criminal proceedings begin at arraignment with your plea entry. Your lawyer may challenge evidence or the stop’s legality. While plea deals resolve many cases, you have the right to a trial where prosecutors must prove impairment beyond reasonable doubt. Sentencing depends on prior convictions, blood alcohol level and whether crashes or injuries occurred.
Through each step, having legal representation protects your rights and helps pursue the best possible outcome for your situation. The process demands swift action to preserve your driving privileges and build a strong defense.
Contact Me For A Free Initial Consultation
If you have an issue with your driver’s license or a traffic ticket you did not deserve, do not wait any longer. Contact us by calling 772-410-3722 or completing our online form. We work to accommodate busy schedules and long distances.