Being pulled over while driving home from an evening out can be stressful enough, but if you fail the field sobriety tests and end up being charged with DUI, the outcome can change your life. A DUI conviction can result in the loss of your license, a fine, and even jail time.
An experienced Tampa DUI lawyer from Sulte Law Firm will investigate all aspects of your DUI arrest and put together the best legal strategy to have the charges reduced or even dismissed. As soon as you’re charged, let your first call be to our office- we’ll be there when you need us and use our expertise and experience to fight for your second chance.
Florida DUI Laws Explained
Florida law prohibits you from driving under the influence (DUI) of alcoholic beverages or any controlled or chemical substances when you’re impaired and/or your blood or breath alcohol levels (BAC) are .08% or above.
If you are under 21, you can be charged with DUI if your BAC is 0.02% or higher. Florida is especially tough on underage drunk driving, so you can count on strict consequences should you be convicted.
DUI Penalties in Florida
When it comes to DUI, Florida has some of the toughest penalties in the country. For a first offense conviction, you can be fined between $500 and $1000 and go to jail for up to six months if your blood alcohol level was 0.08% or higher. If it is greater than 0.15% or if a minor was in the vehicle with you, the fine goes into the $1,000 to $2,000 range and you could spend up to nine months in jail.
Additional penalties include:
- A mandatory 50 hours of community service
- Up to one year on probation
- Loss of your driver’s license from six months to a year
With a second conviction, the fine goes up to $2,000 ($4,000 if your BAC was 0.15% or more or a minor was in the vehicle with you) and imprisonment for up to nine months or a year, depending on your BAC level and whether you caused an accident while impaired. Other penalties include:
- Up to one year on probation
- Loss of your driver’s license for up to five years
- Installation of an ignition interlock device
- Attendance at Florida DUI School
If you receive a third DUI conviction in Florida, you can be fined up to $5,000 and spend up to five years in prison. A third DUI within 10 years of a previous conviction carries a mandatory minimum of 30 days in jail. Other penalties you may face include:
- Loss of your driver’s license for up to 10 years
- Installation of an ignition interlock device
- Permanent felony conviction on your criminal record
Arrested? Call a Tampa DUI Lawyer Now!
If you were recently arrested for DUI in or around Tampa, Florida, contact our Tampa DUI attorney immediately. Both state and local law enforcement take an aggressive and punitive approach to DUI offenders, so you need an equally zealous advocate to protect your rights. Call Sulte Law Firm at (813) 223-4343 for compassionate representation.
FAQs
What are the Different DUI Offenses in Florida?
There are several categories of DUI charges in this state. The one you actually face will depend on your BAC level, whether you have prior DUI offenses on your record, and whether your actions resulted in injury, death, or property damage. They include:
First-Time DUI: You have no previous DUI on your record.
Misdemeanor DUI: Applies to a first and second offense.
Felony DUI: Third and subsequent offenses are prosecuted as felonies.
DUI Manslaughter: You cause an accident while under the influence and kill someone.
Aggravated DUI: A DUI with aggravating factors such as driving without a full license or with a minor in the vehicle.
DUI with Property Damage: You cause property damage or injury to another person.
DUI With Serious Bodily Injury: You cause someone to suffer serious bodily injury. Serious Bodily Injury is defined as an injury to any person, except the driver, which consists of a physical condition that creates a substantial risk of death, serious personal disfigurement, or protracted loss or impairment of the function of any bodily member or organ.
Are You Required to Submit to a Breath, Blood, or Urine Test?
Yes. Florida has an implied consent law stating that by driving a motor vehicle, you have consented to take a breath or urine test (or both) to determine whether you are under the influence of alcohol or drugs.
If you refuse to take the test, the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles will automatically suspend your license for one year. A second or subsequent refusal will result in an 18-month suspension. If you want to contest the suspension, you must do so in writing within 10 days.
How Can a Tampa DUI Lawyer Help?
The best way to respond to DUI charges is to hire an experienced criminal defense attorney who will explain and protect your legal rights. Although DUI is a comparatively common offense, it can still leave you a lifelong criminal record.
At Sulte Law Firm, we will recommend the ideal course of action for your case and use our understanding of Florida DUI law to obtain the best possible results. Tampa DUI lawyer Ryan Sulte has represented many clients accused of DUI and will fight to have the charges reduced or dismissed altogether.