Getting charged for DUI in Florida comes with serious consequences. If you have alcohol or drugs in your system, a prosecutor can use this as evidence against you, even if your blood alcohol was within the legal limit.
Drinking and driving is dangerous, therefore the penalties in Florida are extremely harsh. Even your first DUI can be very costly in both time, fines, and significant consequences because the state is serious about cutting down on the number of alcohol-related deaths.
So let's take a look at what you can expect if you are arrested for DUI in Florida.
Everything You Need to Know About Getting a DUI in Florida :
If you're arrested in Florida, there are some important things you'll want to know. Read this article to learn all about them today.
What to Expect after the Arrest :
If you're arrested in Florida on DUI, you can expect jail time and a 180-day suspension of your driver's license. This is in addition to community service, at least $250 in fines, probation, the impounding of your car, and a conviction on your criminal record.
From the date of your arrest, you have ten days to request a hearing to keep your license from being suspended for up to six months. You can also expect to be arraigned right away, so it's important to know how you intend to plead.
You'll Need a Good Lawyer :
This is when you will want a good lawyer with plenty of DUI experience. Your lawyer can call into question why the officer stopped you, as well as how any evidence being used against you was gathered. Your lawyer will point out to the court that field sobriety tests are unreliable and hard to pass even when sober, as well as the likelihood that your sample could have contaminated.
A lawyer with solid connections in the community can be very beneficial, but this no guarantee of a positive outcome with the judge.
Your Court Date and Sentencing :
Even if you intend to plead guilty, your lawyer will likely counsel you to not attempt to delay your court date. This is primarily because the system is clogged with cases and requesting a rescheduling will almost certainly irritate the judge and result in a less lenient sentence. And secondly, your sentence starts the day of your hearing, so it's wise to simply get it over with.
It's important to note that penalties for a second and third DUI are far worse than for your first. So we highly recommend that you learn your lesson as cheap as you can.
To better understand the seriousness of DUI in Florida, learn more here.
The Consequences of DUI :
Being charged and convicted of DUI in Florida has major costs, both financially and otherwise. This is a crime that the court system takes deadly seriously, and you will be punished accordingly.
Remember, if you are arrested for DUI, contact a good lawyer immediately, and let them use their expertise to guide you through the system.
Click here for more information on dealing with DUI's.
Read Also :
