If you’ve been pulled over on suspicion of driving under the influence, you could be in a lot of trouble. Even if this is the first time you’ve been pulled over for drinking and driving, the potential consequences could be steep.
The actual penalties for a DUI conviction in Florida can vary. However, understanding a little bit about what you’re up against can bring some clarity to your situation.
The following is just a sample of the penalties you could face if you’re convicted of DUI in Florida. For help avoiding these and other penalties, contact an experienced attorney at Hersem Law today.
A license suspension is one of the most immediate and tangible penalties of a DUI in Florida. If you’re a first-time offender, you could face administrative sanctions that result in a license suspension of six months (if your BAC was over .08). If you refused to give a blood, urine, or breath sample, you could face a one-year administrative suspension.
From the day you’re arrested for a DUI, you have only ten days to challenge the administrative suspension of your license. Failing to act in ten days will trigger a hard suspension for thirty or ninety days. That means you won’t be allowed to drive for any reason during that time.
If you’re ultimately convicted of the DUI charge, you can face a suspension of your license from the criminal side of things. In Florida, a first time DUI conviction can lead to an additional license suspension of six months to a year.
In addition to helping you fight your DUI charge, Hersem Law can help you get a hardship license that will enable you to legally drive for school, work, medical, or religious purposes.
Criminal charges for drunk driving in Florida can lead to a probation sentence or even time behind bars. If you’re a first-time offender convicted of a standard DUI, you could be in jail for six months. An accident involving property damage or an enhancement to the DUI charge could lead to even more time in jail.
If this isn’t your first DUI charge, you could face even more potential jail time or even mandatory imprisonment.
Outside of time behind bars, there’s also your criminal record to consider. A DUI charge will remain on your record, and it can show up in background checks for as long as seventy-five years.
Fortunately, an attorney from Hersem Law can help you fight to avoid these Florida DUI penalties.
All these penalties for a DUI in Florida can add up to something big. While you might not be too worried now, you might be in for an unpleasant surprise, especially if you don’t have a Tampa DUI lawyer on your side. If you’re concerned about protecting your future, making sure this doesn’t happen is vital.
That’s why you need to talk to a lawyer from Hersem Law now. Fighting your charge may seem difficult, but dealing with the penalties of a DUI can be even harder. If you’re concerned about the penalties you could be facing, reach out for a free strategy session with a DUI lawyer by calling 813-251-7291. You can also check out our website to learn more about your options.
