DeLand DUI Attorney

DUI Charges in Florida

A motorist can get a DUI for driving a vehicle while under the influence. Their blood alcohol concentration (BAC) must be .08% or more. If you have been arrested for DUI (DWI/drunk driving) in Florida, there is a lot on the line. In addition to having your driver's license revoked, you could also face:

• Heavy fines
• Mandatory community service
• Time-consuming traffic school.

DeLand DUI attorney, Douglas Williams, helps drivers retain their licenses and fight unreasonable sentences. If your ability to drive has been threatened, get the defense you need now.

What Are the Penalties for DUI in Florida?

The penalties in Florida are set by statute and depend on how many times the motorist has been convicted in the past with DUI as well as the circumstances of the incident. Situations that result in serious injury to other drivers demand at least three years' suspension from the road.

Below are the penalties for DUI in Florida:

1st Offense:

• Jail: 6 months
• Fines: $500 - $1,000
• License Revocation: 180 days to 1 year

If your BAC was 0.15% or more, you may get an Ignition Interlock Device (IID) for 6 months.

2nd Offense:

• Jail: Up to 9 months
• Fines: $1,000 to $2,000
• License Revocation: 180 days to 1 year
• IID: 2 years

3rd Offense:

• Jail: Up to 1 year
• Fines: $2,000 to $5,000
• License Revocation: 180 days to 1 year
• IID: 2 years

What Happens After a DUI Arrest?

After being arrested for a DUI, you will need to go to court for an arraignment, trial and sentencing. If there were no injuries, first-time offenses will most often be classified as misdemeanors.

However, if there was a serious injury or death that results from the DUI, you could be facing felony criminal charges and end up in state prison for over a year.

Florida Implied Consent Law

According to Florida Statute § 316.1932, refusing the breath test is not illegal, but will result in administrative penalties, including a 12-month driver's license suspension. If you refused for the first time, you will be eligible to obtain a hardship license after 90 days.

Deciding whether to blow or not to blow can only be determined on a case-by-case basis. Talk to an experienced DeLand DUI lawyer to learn how the law applies in your situation.

License Revocation Hearings

License revocation hearings, or administrative review hearings, are urgent pleas from drivers facing DUI/DWI charges, or any other traffic offense that results in loss of license. Drivers only have 10 days from the date of their DUI/DWI arrest to request a formal administrative review hearing.

DUI Boating Offenses

Laws for inebriated boaters are just as strict as DUIs that occur on the land. Many boating accidents that occur as a result of boating under the influence incur serious fines and even months of imprisonment. An accident that caused serious injury or significant property damage is a felony.

DUI Defense Strategies

Just because you blew above the legal limit (.08), it does not mean the state has an open and shut case against you. In Florida, problems with the Intoxilyzer 8000 breath test machine are well-documented. These machines must be properly used, maintained, and calibrated for breath test results to hold up in court. We seize upon weaknesses in breath test evidence to help our clients avoid DUI convictions.

As is true in any case that involves you being arrested, you need to ask yourself some basic questions about the circumstances of your arrest, including:

• Was your arrest based on reasonable grounds?
• Did you refuse or fail the Breathalyzer test?
• Were you made aware of the consequences if you failed or refused the test?