DUI Penalties in Florida

Charged with a DUI? You Could Face Harsh Penalties

The penalties for DUI convictions in Florida are some of the toughest in the country, and you should never underestimate the serious nature of a DUI charge. In addition to embarrassment, those who are convicted of DUI charges will also suffer other consequences such as jail time, vehicle impoundment, fines and more.

Florida law states that a driver may be accused of a DUI (driving under the influence) in two different ways. If the officer who arrests you can prove that your normal faculties are impaired or if you have a blood or breath alcohol level of 0.08% or above, you will be charged with a DUI. From there, the legal process begins and the chance for penalties increases dramatically. Without the help of a talented Fort Lauderdale criminal defense attorney, you are far more likely to face the full force of the penalties for your offense.

In order to make sure that your rights are protected throughout the entirety of the DUI process, contact a Fort Lauderdale criminal defense attorney immediately after you have been arrested. Once you are convicted, you will have a permanent criminal record for the rest of your life, and you may have to pay higher insurance premiums for years to come. The fines for DUI convictions in Florida will range substantially based on your previous DUI convictions, if any, and other various factors as well.

First DUI Conviction: Fines ranging from $500 to $1,000. The fines will be enhanced to a minimum of $1,000 if you have a blood or breath alcohol concentration of 0.15 or higher or if there was a minor in your vehicle.
Second DUI Conviction: Fines ranging from $1,000 to $2,000. The fines will be enhanced to a minimum of $2,000 if you have a blood or breath alcohol concentration of 0.15 or higher or if there was a minor in your vehicle.
Third DUI Conviction within 10 Years: Maximum fine of $5,000.
Fourth or Subsequent DUI Conviction: Not less than $2,000.

Additional DUI Penalties in Fort Lauderdale, FL

No DUI charge is without defense, and with an experienced Fort Lauderdale DUI lawyer you can avoid the other penalties under Florida Law for DUI charges, like the ones listed below:

Community Service: Upon your first DUI conviction you face a mandatory 50 hours of community service OR an additional fine of $10 in lieu of each hour of community service required.
Probation: Upon your first DUI conviction you face a probation period that can last up to one year.
Prison Time: These penalties will depend on the ruling of the court and may be substituted for rehabilitation services instead. First conviction you wouldn't face more than 6 months if your BAC was lower than .15. Second conviction will get you no more than 9 months, but 12 if your BAC was higher than .15. There are special regulations for those who have had multiple DUI offenses within a five-year period.
Impounding Your Vehicle: Special provisions may be made for a "hardship license" if the defendant has no other means of transportation, but a DUI conviction first time will have your vehicle impounded for 10 days. Second conviction within five years is a 30 day impoundment and third conviction within 10 years is 90 days.

Contact a Skilled Ft. Lauderdale DUI Lawyer

At Parks & Braxton, PA, we have the experience needed to take your DUI charges and the track record to back up our thousands of success stories. Our superior legal team is comprised of a former prosecutor and attorneys who are highly experienced in criminal law. Our firm is dedicated to the art of defending a DUI case, and we will never stop short of a client's expectations. With over 50 years of aggregate legal experience fighting DUI charges, you can rest assured that your future is in the right hands.

Contact a Ft. Lauderdale DUI attorney at our firm for a free consultation today. We are available to take your call 24 / 7, on nights, weekends and holidays.