Fort Walton Beach, Florida Attorney Helping You Keep Your Driver's License
If you are charged with a DUI in Florida and want to avoid an automatic driver's license suspension for six to eighteen months, you must request a Florida Department of Motor Vehicles Formal Review within 10 days of your arrest. This administrative hearing determines whether the DMV was justified in suspending your driving privilege the day you were arrested for DUI.
I can save your license and your time.
Free Offer on DUIs
At our free initial consultation and at no cost to you, I will help you file for the DMV Formal Review hearing to retain your driver's license. This is only one of many reasons to call the Flaherty Defense Firm immediately on your DUI charge.
I will help you complete and file the paperwork for your DMV Formal Review Hearing. I can also handle the details involved with scheduling, and be able to conduct this hearing without the need for you to attend.
Suspensions result from:
- Refusing to take a breath test
- Having an unlawful breath/blood alcohol level (UBAL) of 0.08% or greater
Length of driver's license suspensions:
Refusal to be tested:
- First – 12 months
- Second and subsequent – 18 months
- UBAL:
- First – 6 months
- Second / subsequent – 12 months
Your DMV Formal Review hearing must be requested in writing and delivered to the DMV no later than 10 days from the date of arrest.
This hearing can be a valuable tool in the investigation and the defense of your case for these reasons:
- As your lawyer, I can challenge your license suspension and, if successful, get your license reinstated.
- I can directly interrogate Law Enforcement witnesses about their observations, actions and opinions.
- I can ask the officer to not oppose a reduction of the charges by the prosecutor.
Your uniform traffic citation is a 10 day permit unless your license is already suspended in Florida or another state.
Avoiding license suspension.
If a DMV Formal Review is requested and provided your license is not suspended in Florida or another state, the DMV will allow driving on a limited basis until they have made a decision on the suspension.
If, after the Formal Review hearing, the DMV determines that the police have not provided them with enough information to support the suspension they will return your driver's license. The suspension is then taken off your record.
Contact me for legal guidance.
Consequences for a DUI conviction are serious. But even if you are arrested and charged, there are many legal actions that can be taken to preserve your driving privileges and enhance your chances to avoid conviction. Contact me today for a free consultation to discuss your case.
