Fort Walton Beach DUI Defense Attorney
DUI Defense Lawyer Serving Clients in Fort Walton Beach, Crestview, Niceville, Destin, Navarre, Okaloosa and Santa Rosa County, Florida.
In Florida, you can be charged with driving under the influence (DUI) if you are operating a motor vehicle while impaired by alcohol (0.08% blood alcohol level (BAL) or higher) and/or drugs. The state of Florida takes DUI, also known in some states as driving while intoxicated or DWI, very seriously.
Penalties are tough even for your first offense and severe for second and third DUIs. If you hold a commercial driver’s license, you can be arrested for DUI if your BAL is .04% or higher. If convicted, you will lose your commercial license for at least a year.
Additionally, even if convicted for your first DUI, you could be required to install an ignition interlock device or participate in the SCRAM (Secure Continuous Remote Alcohol Monitor) program. If ordered to do so, you will have to shoulder the cost yourself and may have your driver’s license restricted.
The 10 Day Rule (Save Your Drivers’ License)
If you have been charged with a DUI in Fort Walton Beach or anywhere in Okaloosa County, contact a Fort Walton Beach, Crestview, Destin, and Niceville DUI defense lawyer immediately. You have 10 days from the date of your arrest to schedule a hearing for the Florida DMV Process.
Otherwise, your driver’s license will automatically be suspended for 6 to 18 months. If you refuse to submit to a breath alcohol test, you will automatically be served with a Notice of Suspension.
At a free initial consultation with me, a Fort Walton Beach DUI defense attorney, I will help you file for the DMV Hearing to retain your driver’s license. This is only one of many reasons to contact me immediately for help with a DUI charge.
Florida Visitors
People visiting Florida on vacation or spring break are often stopped for DUI on Highway 98 near Destin and Fort Walton Beach. If you live outside the state, you will need a Florida criminal defense lawyer. As a Fort Walton Beach DUI defense lawyer, I can save you a court appearance and do all the paperwork necessary to help you avoid the cost and inconvenience of a return trip to appear in court. Click here for more information if you are from out of town.
Florida DUI Penalties
If you are convicted of drunk driving in Florida, you face harsh legal penalties that could cost you your license, vehicle, job, and freedom. While each case is different, the penalties listed below provide an overview of what you face if convicted:
- 1st conviction – up to $2000 in fines and court costs, up to 6 months in jail, driver’s license suspended for 6 months, counseling, and community service.
- 2nd conviction – up to $3000 in fines and court costs, up to 1 year in jail, driver’s license suspended up to 5 years, DUI school and more.
- 3rd conviction – may be charged as a felony, up to 5 years in prison, 10-year driver’s license suspension, and more.
DUI penalties can be impacted by other factors as well which can lead to steeper fines and longer jail sentences as well as the installation of an ignition interlock device.
Talk to a Fort Walton Beach DUI Defense Attorney Today
A DUI arrest doesn’t have to mean a conviction. Many different legal strategies exist to fight a DUI charge. When you come in for a free consultation about your DUI charge, you will receive honest advice about your case. We will help you make informed decisions and will do everything possible to protect your rights and prevent a conviction.
