The Consequences of a Florida DUI

Under Florida law, you can be convicted of driving while under the influence of alcohol and / or drugs if your blood alcohol level measures .08 percent or more or if you demonstrate an impaired ability to drive. Either of these offenses carries the same penalties. If you refuse to submit to a chemical test when requested to do so on suspicion of a DUI, you will lose your license for a year and your refusal will be used as evidence against you in a court proceeding.

On a first Florida DUI conviction, according to the official website of the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles, your fine will be not less than $500 or more than $1,000. If you are found driving with a minor in the vehicle or if your blood alcohol level measures .15 or higher, your fine will range between $1,000 and $2,000. You will also be subjected to a mandatory 50 hours of community service or face an additional fine of $10 for every hour of community service you are given by the court.

Your jail sentence could extend up to six months; at the discretion of the court you may serve such time in a residential alcoholism or substance abuse program. Unless your family has no other means of transportation, your vehicle will be impounded for up to 10 days and your license will be suspended for a minimum of 180 days up to a year. You will have to complete DUI school before you are allowed any type of hardship license. Hardship licenses are not allowed for those who refuse to take a chemical test in a second or subsequent DUI or for those who have two or more previous DUI convictions.

DUI Defense in Miami

Any way you look at it, a DUI arrest is a serious matter which can have a major impact on your life. You could be facing such consequences if you get behind the wheel after as little as one or two drinks, depending on your sex, size, and other factors. That is why DUIs are one of the most common criminal charges heard in courts throughout Miami and the nation. Just because you have been arrested, however, does not mean you will automatically be convicted. With the help of an attorney who is familiar with how to defend DUI, your chances for a better outcome are increased.

At Seltzer Law, PA, you can retain the services of a criminal defense lawyer who is experienced in handling DUI cases of all kinds. Attorney Seltzer is a former prosecutor who worked in the Miami-Dade State Attorney's office where he handled all types of criminal cases. This experience gives him a thorough working knowledge of how to counteract the prosecution. As a Super Lawyers Rising Star, he has been recognized for his outstanding legal service. Contact his firm at any hour of the day or night to get the legal help you need following a DUI or any other arrest in the Miami area.