Driving under the influence (DUI) is one of the most commonly charged offenses in Florida, and also one of the most harshly prosecuted. Even a first-time conviction could carry significant administrative and criminal penalties (including jail time,) and a repeat offender could be facing felony charges.
Put simply, you should take any allegation of DUI extremely seriously, and that means getting help from an expert defense attorney as soon as possible after having charges filed against you. Not every defense attorney understands the intricacies of a drunk driving case, but our team at Rossen Law Firm has years of experience fighting these charges and knows how to handle them the right way. With a board-certified Boca Raton DUI lawyer’s help, you will have much better chances of minimizing the long-term repercussions this accusation has on your life.
According to Florida Statutes §316-193, anyone who is “under the influence” of any alcoholic beverage or chemical substance while in actual physical control of a car could be arrested for DUI. Under this statute, a person is considered under the influence if a police officer determines that they are intoxicated or if they are tested to have a blood-alcohol or breath-alcohol level of 0.08 percent.
As a Boca Raton DUI attorney can explain, the legal limit is substantially lower for drivers under the age of 21, who may face a license suspension of six months to one year if their BAC while driving is 0.02 percent or more. Drivers under 21 also may have to additionally complete a mandatory DUI education program if their BAC equals or exceeds 0.05 percent.
It is also important to note that refusing a breath test can increase one’s penalties for driving drunk. Anyone who refuses to consent to testing after being lawfully arrested on suspicion of DUI is subject to a one-year license revocation for a first offense and an 18-month revocation for subsequent refusals.
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The penalties associated with a DUI conviction can vary substantially from case to case based on an individual defendant’s criminal history and the discretion of the sentencing judge. A first conviction carries mandatory penalties of vehicle impoundment for ten days, probation for up to one year, and 50 hours of community service. Additional possible penalties for a first-time DUI include license revocation for six months to one year, between $500 and $1,000, up to one year jail time, and up to six months’ mandatory ignition interlock device installation.
A second conviction within five years carries higher fines and longer terms for all the penalties mentioned above, as well as mandatory five-year license revocation, 30-day vehicle impoundment, and a ten-day jail term. Most importantly, a third DUI within ten years is considered a felony offense in Florida, as is any DUI that directly results in serious or fatal injuries. The presence of a child under 18 years old in any vehicle driven by someone under the influence can also allow for additional sentence enhancements. A qualified DUI defense lawyer can help individuals in Boca Raton understand the nature of their charge and the associated penalties during a free initial consultation.
Add in a section – cases can be won & that even if you blew, the case can be won. We are the attorneys that teach other attorneys how to win unbeatable DUI cases.
DUI charges can have life-changing consequences even if you have no prior criminal history to speak of. Whether this is your first offense or you have been charged before, it is crucial that you get the best criminal defense attorneys on your side.
At Rossen Law Firm, we know that facing charges like this can be terrifying. We are here to fight for you, and we have the experience and training needed to overcome a DUI accusation. To discuss your case with an expert Boca Raton DUI lawyer, call or contact us online today. We can get started right away on building an airtight defense.
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