If a police officer in Florida suspects that a person is driving under the influence, they’re legally authorized to pull over the vehicle and administer a series of tests. If the person fails the tests, they might be arrested for suspicion of DUI. However, the court must prove that the person was driving under the influence to get a conviction.
Types of tests that can be administered
To determine whether the person is driving under the influence, the officer will ask them to leave the vehicle and perform a series of tests. They might ask the individual to walk in a straight line or stand on one leg. If the person fails the tests, they will be arrested for suspicion of DUI.
At the police station, the officer will administer a blood alcohol test that determines how much alcohol is present in the blood. A blood level alcohol over 0.8% will result in an arrest for suspicion of DUI.
Penalties for people convicted of driving under the influence
A DUI conviction can result in severe consequences, including hefty fines, jail time and loss of license. Repeat offenders might receive several years in prison and be required to install an ignition interlock system in their vehicle. For this reason, people accused of driving under the influence might wish to hire a criminal defense lawyer.
How to proceed when accused of driving under the influence
An individual accused of driving under the influence might find it beneficial to hire a criminal defense lawyer, who might be able to help their client negotiate for smaller fees and reduced jail time. If possible, they might be able to get the charges dropped altogether. They might also be able to find flaws in the prosecution that can result in reduced charges.
