A conviction of DUI can affect your ability to drive and get insurance. It may affect your ability to get certain jobs. It is very expensive as well. It is important to hire a criminal attorney to defend you.
According to Jonathan B. Blecher, P.A. - Miami DUI Lawyer, you should look for an attorney who has years of experience in Miami criminal defense law. They should have a good track record of victories in court.
Before you start searching for a lawyer, it is helpful to understand the consequences of a DUI conviction in the state of Florida.
License Suspension
When you are convicted of a DUI, you will lose your license for a certain amount of time. If you are pulled over on suspicion of a DUI, and you refuse to take a breathalyzer test, your license will be suspended as well.
The first time you are convicted of a DUI, you will lose your license for anywhere from 6 months to a year, provided that there were no injuries. If someone was injured or died as a result of an accident you caused when you were driving under the influence, you will lose your license for a minimum of three years.
Suspension periods will get longer with every DUI that you have. Second offenses come with five-year suspensions. You will lose your driving privileges for 10 years if you are convicted a third time. A fourth conviction means your license will be permanently revoked.
The amount of alcohol you have in your blood may also affect the suspension period. If there is a minor in your car at the time of your arrest, your license will be suspended for a longer time than it would if you were driving alone.
Hardship Licenses
If your license is revoked and you have to drive for work or to get to medical appointments, you may be able to get a hardship license. You will be limited to the number of hours you can drive a week and the times of day you can drive.
Fees Associated with DUI
A DUI conviction always comes with a fine. If it is your first offense, you will pay between $500 and $1,000. If it is your second offense, you will pay between $1,000 and $2,000. If your blood alcohol was 0.15 or more or if you had a minor in the car with you, you will pay $1,000 to $2,000 for a first conviction, $2000 to $4000 for a second conviction, and $4000 for any subsequent convictions.
Jail Time
A first conviction of DUI can result in up to 6 months in jail or 9 months if your BAC was over 0.15 or there was a minor in the car. In some cases, you may be able to serve your time in a rehabilitation facility.
If you have a second conviction within 5 years of the first, you will have a mandatory sentence of 10 days. However, you can go to jail for as long as 9 months. It is extended to a year if you had a minor in the car or if your BAC was over 0.15.
A third conviction will result in a mandatory 30-day jail sentence. However, you can go to jail for as long as a year. If you are convicted a fourth time, you can go to jail for as long as five years.
If you have been convicted of a DUI, a trained criminal attorney will thoroughly research your arrest and make sure that the arresting officer did everything legally. If they did not, they may be able to get the charges thrown out. They will work hard to get the best deal possible for you.
