Charged With Drunk Driving? Our Punta Gorda Defense Attorneys Have Helped Others In Similar Circumstances.
The State of Florida considers driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol incredibly dangerous and inconsiderate of public safety. The NHTSA has consistently reported over 2,000 fatal crashes in the state of Florida with one of the involved drivers driving a blood alcohol concentration .08% or higher.
These numbers are high and law enforcement officials are constantly seeking to bring them down by pulling over suspected drunk drivers and arresting alleged offenders. As a result, you may have been arrested for DUI and be facing severe penalties should you be convicted.
Law enforcement in Florida and all over the country are scrambling to catch as many drivers driving under the influence as possible and punish them before another fatality results from it.
Understanding Florida DUI Penalties
The laws for driving under the influence (DUI) can be found in § 316.193, Fla. Stat. (2012). A driver could face a high fine and jail time if they are determined to be intoxicated to the point of impairment, or if their blood alcohol concentration (BAC) is .08% or higher.
A first offense will result in a jail sentence of 6 months or less, and fines up to $1,000. A second conviction will likely mean as many as nine months of jail time and fines reaching $2,000. License suspension is also a consequence of a DUI conviction. A third DUI conviction becomes a felony, meaning up to five years in state prison and fines reaching $5,000.
A third conviction within 10 years of the second one is a third degree felony resulting in a prison sentence of up to five years and a fine of up to $5,000. If a driver is convicted of a fourth DUI, even if the 10 year limit has expired, it automatically is charges as a felony because of the felony charge for the third DUI.
Enlist A Punta Gorda DUI Defense Attorney Today. Free Consultations.
At Leskovich Law Group, P.A., in Punta Gorda, we understand the effects that a DUI conviction could have on your life. Travelling to work, school and other such locations could be restricted by a license suspension, and your criminal record will be affected.
Contact our offices today. Call 941-621-6623 for a free consultation to learn how our attorneys could fight your DUI charges. You also send our team an email.