The penalties for a Florida DUI arrest are serious and far-reaching. They include fines, jail, and administrative license suspensions from the court. Because the consequences of a Florida drunk driving conviction are so severe, it’s important to have an expert defense lawyer protecting the driver’s rights. The skilled attorneys of 1.800.NOT.DRUNK and www.NotDrunk.com have the experience needed to minimize or even eliminate the repercussions of a Florida drunk driving arrest.

A Florida drinking and driving arrest actually triggers two separate cases – in court, and with the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles (FDHSMV). Both cases require expert legal help, but the FDHSMV case is far more time-sensitive. A driver accused of DUI in Florida has only 10 days from the date of arrest to request an FDHSMV administrative hearing, or risk an automatic six-month driver’s license suspension.

A Florida drunk driving case can be proven in one of two ways – either by establishing that the motorist was too impaired by alcohol and/or drug use to safely operate a motor vehicle, or by proving that the driver had a blood alcohol content (BAC) of .08 percent or greater.

The consequences of a Florida conviction for driving under the influence can be harsh. A first-offense drunk driver faces up to six months in jail or rehab, a fine of $250 to $500, and a six-month to one-year driver’s license suspension. A first-time drunk driver with a BAC of .20 percent or greater or a minor in the vehicle faces up to nine months in jail and a $500 to $1,000 fine.

A driver convicted of a second Florida DUI offense faces up to nine months in jail and a $500 to $1,000 fine. A second-time drunk driver with a BAC of .20 percent or greater or a minor in the vehicle faces up to one year in jail and a $1,000 to $2,000 fine. The driver faces a six-month to one-year license revocation unless it is the second conviction in five years, in which case there will be a five-year revocation.

A third-offense drinking and driving conviction is punishable by 30 days to one year in jail, a $1,000 to $2,500 fine, and a six-month to 10-year license revocation. A third-time DUI driver with a BAC of .20 percent or greater or a minor in the vehicle will pay a minimum $2,000 fine.

The repercussions of a Florida drunk driving conviction are severe, so it’s critical to have a skilled defense attorney fighting for the driver’s rights. The experienced defense lawyers of 1.800.NOT.DRUNK and www.NotDrunk.com will provide a free consultation and outline an aggressive defense strategy designed to minimize the consequences of a Florida DUI / DWI arrest.

DISCLAIMER: No representation is made that the quality of legal services to be performed is greater than the quality of legal services performed by other lawyers.