Tampa DUI Lawyers
- Terrana, Rick:
If you think a Florida DUI arrest is "no big deal," due to the commonplace nature of drunk driving charges — think again.
Instead, think of these penalties, and what their impact would be on your life: jail time or probation; driver's license suspension or revocation; hefty fines and court costs; mandatory alcohol treatment; DUI driving school; car forfeiture or immobilization; community service; and auto insurance cancellation.
Don't allow those potential harsh punishments to dominate your future. Take action now to protect your rights.
- Prieto, Prieto & Goan:
Florida DUI lawyer, Florida drunk driving lawyer, or Florida DWI lawyer: lawyers that defend DUI, DWI, or drunk driving cases in Florida should know about the "Ten Day" Rule. When someone is arrested for a Florida DUI, there are really two separate cases that arise: the court case, where a person's liberty is at stake, and the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles case.
If you have been arrested for DUI, and you refused to take a breath, blood or urine test, OR if you took the test and your result is 0.08% or higher, you have only 10 days to request a special hearing with the FDHSMV to save your license.Failure to timely request a hearing will result in a penalty of at least a six-month suspension (and as much as an 18-month suspension) of your Florida driving privileges.
Florida DUI / DWI lawyers know that under Florida law, DUI is one offense, that can be proved in one of two ways: drunk driving can be proved by impairment of normal faculties, or unlawful blood alcohol or breath alcohol level of .08% or above. Florida DUI penalties upon conviction are the same, regardless of the manner in which the offense is proven.
The penalties and consequences for a Florida DUI arrest are serious and far-reaching. They include fines, jail, and administrative license suspensions from the court. They also can include license suspensions, separate and apart from those imposed by the court, which are imposed by FDHSMV. Detailed information about each of these consequences follows below.
However, if you or someone you care about has been charged with a DUI, the most important thing to do is to contact us for a free consultation at once.
- Irvin Law Firm:
Motions to Withdraw Warrants (Capias), Bond (Bail) Reduction Motions
Violations of Probation (VOP), DUI, Suspended Licenses, Traffic Cases,
Domestic Violence Cases
Drug Possession, Drug Delivery, & Drug Trafficking
- Owens Law Firm:
The Ten Day Rule
Following your DUI/DWI arrest, you have ten days to schedule a hearing before the Department of Motor Vehicles or your license will be automatically suspended prior to any criminal conviction. While there is no guarantee that you will keep your license after the hearing, it is an important step to take that many people overlook. If the ability to keep driving is important to you, you should retain a knowledgeable DUI / DWI lawyer.
DO NOT estimate your blood alcohol content and whether or not you would pass a breath test if pulled over. Play it safe. If in doubt—call a cab.
- Andrew Shein:
TIME IS OF THE ESSENCE
It is important that you act quickly to safeguard many of your rights that may be in jeopardy as a result of your arrest.
Can you legally drive at this
time? Are you eligible for a Work
Permit/Hardship License? Can your case
be reduced to the lesser charge of reckless driving? Should you register to attend DUI
school? Were your rights
violated? Is all of the evidence
admissible in court? Do you have any
physical injuries or disabilities that may have affected your
performance of the field sobriety tests? If convicted, what types of penalties might you
expect? Can this case be sealed or
expunged off my record? Can my case be
resolved in a manner so as to not interfere with work and family
obligations?
- Eric Taylor:
Amendment IV of our Constitution states, '(the) rights of the people to be secure in their persons, houses, papers, and effects, against unreasonable searches and seizures, shall not be violated...'
- George Tragos:
...able to provide powerful and effective representation for the following cases: DUI cases
- Kuske & Ragano:
Throughout Florida and the rest of the country, DUI and DWI laws are becoming stricter and the punishments are increasingly more severe. Some consequences you may be facing upon being charged with drunk driving include jail time, suspension or revocation of your driver's license, and large monetary fines.
Whether you are facing your first offense or the latest in a number of DUI offenses, we can help you understand your rights and explore your options. In some cases, there are mandatory punishments that are imposed upon conviction. These situations require us to push harder in the defense of your rights.
You do not have to face your DUI situation alone. Our attorneys are dedicated to examining all aspects of your case in order to ensure that the police followed procedure every step of the way. If they did not, or if your civil rights were violated, we may be able to have the charges against you dismissed or lowered.
- Amador & Tager:
Every year Tens of Thousands of Drivers are arrested and charged with
Driving Under The Influence, "DUI". Being charged with DUI is a serious
matter, but not as serious as being convicted. You need quality Legal
Representation to explore every avenue of defense. If you have been
arrested for Driving Under The Influence, "DUI", chances are your
license has been administratively suspended. You have 10 days to
request an administrative review hearing to challenge the suspension,
otherwise you loose this opportunity. It is imperative to explore this
avenue, and when you retain Amador & Tager, we will file the
necessary paperwork and request this hearing. A DUI conviction will
remain with you for the rest of your life and could affect your ability
to drive, work, obtain affordable insurance, and other consequences
never thought of. There are many reasons to fight your DUI charge with
experienced and aggressive legal representation, but there is no reason
not to.
We represent people charged with Misdemeanor DUI, Felony DUI, Dui with
personal injury, Dui manslaughter,
- Gerald Sage:
If you have been charged with a criminal offense, you could be confused
about the next step to take. You may be unfamiliar with the Florida
court system. You could have questions about what comes next. It is
very important to have an attorney on your side who can, and will,
fight to protect your rights.
- Monica Strickland:
The hiring of a lawyer is an important decision that should not be based solely upon advertisements.
- Leo Jetten:
Penalties for DUI DUI is a crime that can happen to almost any person from any
walk of life. Many times it is an unfortunate mistake that can cost an individual the life
they knew. In many cases an arrest for DUI will lead to a permanent criminal record,
suspension or loss of license, increased insurance rates, possible prison time, alcohol
treatment, job loss, etc. Most people do not realize that there are two cases to contend with.
The DUI results in criminal charges. However, there is also a hearing against the driver for
suspension of the driver's license. DUI cases are not a sure thing
for a prosecutor. There are many factors that must be proved and many defenses available to
you. These defenses can create reasonable doubt for a jury, leverage in any bargain with the
District Attorney's Office, or in some instances create enough doubt to get your case
dismissed. Possible Defenses - Poor Driving was caused By A Factor
Other Than Alcohol - Poor driving could possibly be caused by many factors. For instance
the driver might have been distracted while driving or might have been sleep deprived. There
might have been some mechanical defect with your car or the road may not have been well
lit.
- The Police Officer Did Not Have A Valid Reason For The Stop - You
cannot be pulled over on the whim of a police officer. For instance, you cannot be pulled over
solely because you were in a close proximity to a bar. Being pulled over for an
insufficient reason can go a long way to building a credible defense.
- The
Physical Tests Were Unfair - In some instances the physical tests were conducted
improperly or there was another valid reason why you failed the test. Even lack of
coordination can be used as an argument against the validity of a physical
test.
- Failing A Breathalyzer Does Not Mean You Have No Case - Possible
defenses include: the intoxilyzer (Breathalyzer), used by police officers, was not properly
maintained; the operator of the intoxilyzer was not certified; the officers did not observe
driver for 20 minutes before the test; two proper tests were not given; driver was taking
legal medication; blood or urine was not preserved or analyzed
correctly.
10 Days To Save Your License If you were arrested
for a DUI and would like to preserve your right to drive in Florida, you must request a
hearing or a Formal Review with the Bureau of Administrative Review (BAR) within 10 days after
your license was taken from you. The BAR is located next to the driver's license office. If
your license was valid when you were stopped, you will most likely be issued a temporary
license until the Formal Review. The Formal Review will be scheduled for 3-4 weeks out. During
this time you will be able to drive. However, if the hearing does not go your way, you will
not be able to drive after the hearing.
- Owens Law Firm:
The consequences of a DUI arrest and conviction are severe. Your ability to drive is at stake almost immediately. If you do not prevail at the administrative hearing, you could lose your license from six months to one year (if you refuse a breathalyzer test). A conviction only makes this bad situation worse. If your career involves driving, that is put immediately in jeopardy. Auto insurance rates can skyrocket following a conviction.
The amount of alcohol you drink will affect how you drive. Visit the Drink Wheel and use it to see just how soon you could be legally intoxicated depending on what you drink, how many you have and how quickly you drink them. The site will estimate your blood alcohol content and you can imagine how it might affect you ability to drive. Play it safe.
You may be surprised at just how many DWI or DUI cases are reduced or
dismissed due to police infractions
- James Thomas: Do
something about your civil infraction ticket before the 30 day time
period lapses, you may be waiving valuable rights if you do not act
quickly.
- Victoria Holmberg:
Choosing a criminal defense lawyer is an important decision. Criminal
defense lawyers are not all the same; every one of them is different in
the way they handle cases, be it their experience, ability, or style. A
lawyer who would be the best in one type of case may not be in another.
Also, depending on the magnitude of the charges and the case, the
retainer quoted by a criminal defense lawyer may seem to the client to
be extremely high; as much as an expensive car or even a moderately
priced house. But remember what is at stake in a criminal case: the
liberty of the person accused. When compared to trying to keep one's
liberty, money is much less important.
The amount of the retainer paid (whether high or not) is not
necessarily indicative of expected quality. Be wary of lawyers who
solicit your business or promise good results. They make money off high
turnover, and high turnover means that they must plead clients guilty
to move on to the next case. No lawyer can ethically or realistically
promise a good result. It is a fact of life that 90+% of all criminal
defendants are convicted of something. Some cases, therefore, must be
pled because "damage control" is all the criminal defense lawyer can do
in that particular case.
Criminal defense lawyers often charge flat rate fees, plus expenses.
The fee quoted is based on the lawyer's experience in what type of work
will be required and how much time it will take. Some lawyers have
payment plans. Keep in mind, however, that retaining a lawyer requires
the lawyer to take time and devote his or her knowledge and expertise
to your case, and, depending on the case, the work is performed in the
near future. Ordinary people who work for a living expect to be paid
timely. Stores and suppliers expect to be paid shortly thereafter. So,
you should expect to pay your criminal defense lawyer shortly after you
retain him or her.
- Kinney, Fernandez & Boire:
All of us living in the United States are privileged to live in a
country where each individual is guaranteed certain constitutional
rights. In criminal cases the courts of our land have determined that
individuals suspected of committing a crime, or those individuals who
have been charged by the government with a crime, have rights, not only
to protect them, but all of society.
- Kim Byrd: Yourre upset
and confused. Each case is unique, and you need an attorney who knows
the how to handle your case and who will conmmunicate with you
regularly.
You also didnt plan on being in this situation, so finding a good
attorney at an affordable price is an absolute necessity.
- Galewski Law Group:
Remember it
is your freedom on the line, do not speak to the authorities until you have
consulted with a lawyer.
- Marcelino Huerta: The
Fourth Amendment generally protects the right of people to be free from
"unreasonable searches and seizures." In order for a search or seizure
to be reasonable under the Fourth Amendment, it must usually be based
on individualized suspicion of wrongdoing. In 1979, the U.S. Supreme
Court held in Delaware v. Prouse that randomly stopping an automobile
to apprehend unlicensed drivers and unsafe vehicles constitutes an
unreasonable seizure under the Fourth Amendment, where the officer does
not have reasonable suspicion that a motorist has violated the law. The
Court reasoned that the State's interest in ensuring roadway safety
does not justify discretionary spot checks that intrude on the privacy
of motorists.
However, the Court has since made a limited exception for DUI sobriety
checkpoints, holding that officers may perform random spot checks to
catch drunk drivers with no requirement of individualized suspicion.
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