Pensacola DUI Lawyers
- Burns, James:
* Driving Under Influence
* Drug Offenses/ Possession/ Distribution/ Trafficking
* Probation Violation Hearings/ Bond Hearings
* Assault and Battery
* Domestic Violence
* Burglary/ Theft
* Family Law
* Personal Injury
* Bankruptcy
* Probate Law
- Stillwell Law Firm:
* Divorce
* Child custody
* DUI Defense
* Child Support Modification
* Restraining Orders (Domestic Violence Deterrence)
* Protective Orders (Domestic Violence Prohibition)
* Criminal Defense
* Premarital Agreements
* Paternity Actions
* Contract Disputes
* Adult Name Change
* Wills, Living Trusts and Probate
- Garretson, Charles:
Criminal Cases
- McDonald, Alisia:
When you have been charged with a crime, you want an aggressive lawyer to protect your constitutional rights. The criminal justice system has its own set of rules. If you are unfamiliar with them, and don't have an experienced attorney, your life can quickly become a nightmare.
- Committee, Bruce:
Almost everyone, if not everyone, has committed one or more crimes at one point in time or another. The government chooses which crimes it will prosecute and who it will bring to prosecution. Matters which should not be considered in making these decisions nevertheless are considered because the persons making them are imperfect human beings. Your criminal defense attorney has the job of seeing to it that you are not convicted and punished if you unfairly have been selected for, or unfairly brought to, prosecution or you unfairly have been tried and unfairly found guilty in a court of law, Your lawyer also is there to see to it that your punishment after conviction is not unfair. Your lawyerÕs primary tool at trial and in any appeal is argument based in the law and the evidence presented to the court. Your lawyer also gives you advice regarding the status of your case from the beginning to the end so that you can make informed decisions regarding settlement offers that you receive or should make, and he or she keeps an eye on court decisions during the trial that might or can be the basis for post-trial appeals alleging errors of the court during the trial. Your trial will be based on the evidence in. the case, not on the facts of the case.
Because you are not a lawyer, you should seek the counsel of a criminal defense lawyer if you want to avoid conduct that is a crime, want to report a possible crime by another, believe you are about to engage in conduct that could be a crime, believe you have engaged in conduct that is a crime, or have been stopped by a law enforcement officer who is making inquiries of you regarding a matter that is related to possible criminal conduct by you. The U.S. Constitution states that you have a right to the assistance of a lawyer in any criminal matter. The reason for this Constitution rule is that you do not have much of a chance against a government prosecution of your person unless you have a lawyer who is able to give attention to your case.
- Bailey, David:
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Family LawDavid E. Bailey, Jr. | Pensacola Florida Attorney - contact me
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Divorce
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Child Custody, Support, Visitation
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Adoption
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Paternity
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Alimony and Spousal Support
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Juvenile Dependency
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Modification
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Prenuptial Agreements
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Probate and Estate Administration
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Wills and Trusts
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Living Wills and Trusts
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Guardianships / Incapacity
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Powers of Attorney and Appointment
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Healthcare Directives
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Criminal Defense
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Felonies and misdemeanors
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Fraud
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Theft
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Battery
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Drunk and disorderly
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Personal Injury
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Auto Accidents
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Premises Liability
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Product Liability
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Wrongful Death
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Bankruptcy * (Representing debtors and creditors)
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Chapter 7
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Chapter 11
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Chapter 13
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Business Litigation
- Bowden, Stephen:
Often referred to as drunk driving, DUI (driving under the influence) and DWI (driving while intoxicated) are serious charges that need the attention of an experienced criminal defense attorney.
- McGuire, Thomas:
First Offense DUI ¥ Repeat Offense ¥ License Suspension Hearings
DUI (DWI) is aggressively prosecuted in Florida. Prosecuting attorneys
will not back down from going to trial unless your legal counsel can
expose serious holes in the case. A conviction can affect your freedom,
your driving privileges, your finances and your future.
With so much at stake, you need a trial lawyer with a successful track
record of DUI defense.
If this is your first arrest for driving while intoxicated, jail is
unlikely, but you may face: license suspension, fines, probation, random
urine tests, DUI school, community service, counseling/treatment and
vehicle impoundment. A first-time drunk driving conviction also sets you
up for major consequences if you drive on a suspended license or have
another DUI/DWI years later.
Florida increases the penalties for repeat DUI. A second conviction
within five years results in mandatory jail time, mandatory ignition
interlock, and a five-year license revocation. A third DUI (within 10
years of the second one) is a felony, punished by up to a year in jail,
10-year revocation and other increased penalties. License
Suspension/Revocation
After your arrest, you have 10 days to request a DMV administrative
hearing on your Florida driving privileges. Your license is
automatically suspended for six months (first offense) if you miss the
deadline. Even if your suspension is upheld, you can obtain a hardship
license to drive to work or school after you complete DUI school. This
hearing also gives Mr. McGuire valuable insight into the prosecution's
criminal case. Aggressive DUI/DWI Defense
There is no pre-trial diversion program for DUI to avoid a criminal
record. And most prosecutors would rather lose at trial than allow you
to plead guilty to a lesser offenses (reckless driving). ...
attack every facet of the prosecution's case, seeking to get charges
dismissed or evidence excluded through pre-trial motions:
* Probable cause for the traffic stop * Reliability of field
sobriety tests (walk-and-turn, horizontal gaze test) * Results of
the Intoxilyzer (breathalyzer) * Results of a urine or blood test
for blood-alcohol content (BAC) * Squad car or police station
videotape * Violations of your constitutional rights in arrest,
testing or interrogation
- Etheridge, Randall:
A conviction for DUI or boating under the influence can have substantial, long-term consequences. You may lose your driving privileges, incur substantial fines, and face jail time. A drunk driving conviction could also lead to higher insurance premiums, community service, substance abuse treatment, and probation. You want an experienced DUI lawyer to represent you, one who knows and understands the law, who will help you identify your options, and who will fight to protect your rights.
- Levin Papantonio Thomas Mitchell Echsner & Proctor:
* Personal Injury / Death
* Medical Malpractice
* Dangerous Medical Products
* Mass Torts / Product Liability
* Dangerous Drugs
* Environmental Cases
* Securities Litigation / Stock Broker Fraud
* Insurance Bad Faith
* Workers' Compensation
* Criminal Law
* Nursing Home Abuse
- Klotz, Chris:
Did you know there are often 2 tapes of the DUI arrest? Did you know that there is an administrative procedure that can help you get your license back? Did you know that breath test machines have to be certified and calibrated? Did you know that frequently, part of the evidence the officer gathers against you is not admissible in a trial?
Proper investigation is one of the keys to our success in the defense of drunk driving charges. When they are available, we obtain copies of the video tape of our client being arrested or booked. These videos allow us to see if the officer followed proper procedures, and they allow juries to see if the defendant appeared to be impaired.
DUI charges often rely upon a breathalyzer or other machine.
- Prevatte, Valerie:
Driver's License Suspension
One of the most onerous consequences of a DUI arrest is the suspension of your driving privilege. Your driver's license will be automatically suspended by the DHSMV (Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles) unless you request a formal review hearing within ten days. At the formal review hearing, you will have the opportunity to present witnesses and make arguments as to why the Department should invalidate the suspension of your license. An attorney experienced in DHSMV Formal Review Hearings can fight for you to keep your license by subpoenaing witnesses on your behalf and arguing applicable statutes and case law.
The Legal Limit in Florida
The legal limit in Florida is 0.08. That means that a driver with a breath or blood alcohol level of 0.08 or higher is presumed to be under the influence of alcohol. However, a breath test result over the legal limit does not necessarily mean that the defendant cannot launch a successful defense against the charge of DUI. For example, the arresting officer may not have had sufficient probable cause to arrest the driver, the breath test machine may not have been working properly, or there may exist some other grounds to suppress the evidence. There are many possible defenses that an experienced trial attorney will look for to weaken the State's case.
Actual Physical Control
You may have been surprised to learn that you could be arrested for DUI when you were not even driving. A classic example of this situation is an intoxicated individual who is sitting in the driver's seat of the vehicle with the key in the ignition, listening to the radio, waiting for a ride. Although it is most commonly known as driving under the influence, Florida law actually also penalizes one who is in "actual physical control" of a motor vehicle while under the influence of alcohol or controlled substances.
Driving Under the Influence of Medications
Less common but just as serious as an arrest for driving under the influence of alcohol is an arrest for driving under the influence of a chemical or controlled substance such as medication, even when the medication has been taken as prescribed. The consequences and potential penalties of driving under the influence of a chemical or controlled substance, regardless of whether that substance is marijuana or Xanax, are the same as driving under the influence of alcohol. It is a good idea to consult with an knowledgeable attorney to discuss your case as soon as possible after the arrest.
- Allen, Robert:
If you have been charged with a crime in Florida, whether you are innocent or not, you need aggressive representation to protect your constitutional rights.
- Novotny, Galen:
Our Constitution guarantees each of us certain rights when the government accuses anyone of violating the law. You have the right to plead not guilty, the right to a speedy trial before a jury of your peers, the right to review all the evidence the state plans to use against you, the right to cross examine all witnesses the government will use against you and the right to legal representation to contest the charges.
A number of options exist to resolve a criminal defense charge. Important questions regarding your arrest and a review of the evidence may reveal defenses or options that are not readily apparent. In order to determine what is in your best interest you should retain the services of an experienced criminal defense lawyer.
- Debra Little:
¥ Have you been arrested for a crime in Northwestern Florida and need an accomplished attorney to protect your rights?
¥ Have you been charged with a drug offense, DUI, theft or violent crime?
¥ Do you need an experienced and aggressive criminal defense lawyer who will fight these charges at every stage of the process?
- Kenneth Ridlehoover:
The criminal justice system is complex, even for those who work within it. When the consequences can be so harsh, working with a lawyer who is experienced in the federal system can give you greater confidence that everything possible is being done in your defense.
- Staples, Ellis & Associates:
Most people believe that they will never need the services of a Pensacola criminal attorney, as they intend not to commit any crimes. However, over the last two decades, there has been a steady increase in the number of crimes that may be charged both on the state and federal levels. Along with these increases in possible criminal violations, the agencies that enforce these said laws have likewise increased their abilities to gather information in the prosecution of individuals.
- Baldwin Law Offices:
FIRST AMENDMENT: Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances.
SECOND AMENDMENT: Right to bear arms--A well regulated Militia, being necessary to the security of a free State, the right of the people to keep and bear Arms, shall not be infringed.
FOURTH AMENDMENT: Right to be free from unreasonable searches and seizures.
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FIFTH AMENDMENT: Nor shall any person be subject for the same offense to be twice put in jeopardy of life or limb.
FIFTH AMENDMENT: Right to remain silent (nor shall be compelled in any criminal case to be a witness against himself).
FIFTH AMENDMENT: Nor shall private property be taken for public use, without just compensation.
SIXTH AMENDMENT: Right to have Attorney Present when questioned.
EIGHTH AMENDMENT: Right to Reasonable Bail (Bond).
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NINTH AMENDMENT: The enumeration in the Constitution, of certain rights, shall not be construed to deny or disparage others retained by the people..
- James Jenkins:
Even though police officers receive special training to conduct DUI investigations, they sometimes make critical mistakes that can result in the suppression of evidence being used against you. Police officers are required to follow strict protocols during a DUI investigation. If an officer broke protocol during the investigation or during the arrest, your case might be dismissed outright or you could have the opportunity to plead to a lesser offense.
If you've been arrested for a DUI in Florida, you should find a lawyer as soon as possible.Ê You only have ten days from the date of your arrest to request a hearing with the DMV to challenge the suspension of your driver's license. This "administrative suspension hearing" is a completely separate matter from your criminal DUI case.
- E. Brian Lang:
Criminal charges do not only depend on what you did or what was done to you. There are a number of external factors that might make a difference in whether you could be reunited with your family and loved-ones quickly. An unchecked box on the police form or a substandard breathalyzer gauge ö though not part of an original event could set you free. It takes experience to spot the issues that make a difference in:
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DWI/DUI/Auto accidents/Traffic violations
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Drug charges
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Manslaughter/Felonies
- James Burns: Have you
been arrested or accused of a committing a crime? You may not realize
the seriousness of your situation and what rights you have as a
criminal defendant.
- Donald Sheehan:
An arrest occurs when a person has been placed under restraint or has
been taken into custody by a police officer. A person is placed under
restraint when his or her freedom of movement is restricted by physical
force or by a show of authority. The use of physical force occurs with
the slightest touching or the application of physical force. A show of
authority occurs when a police officer's words and actions operate as a
command. An arrest does not occur when a person is free to leave or
when the person feels that he or she is free to leave. Mere questioning
by the police does not constitute an arrest.
- David Sellers: A Defendant in a criminal case has the following rights:
- The right to plead not guilty
- The right to trial by jury
- The right to be represented or helped at trial by a lawyer.
- The right to compel or make any witnesses come to trial.
- The right to be present when witnesses testify against you.
- The right to cross-examine witnesses who testify against you.
- The right to remain silent and not testify against yourself.
- The right to present any and all defenses you may have.
- The right to appeal all matters relating to the judgment, including the issue of guilt or innocence.
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