Florida DUI Penalties – An Overview
Driving under the influence (DUI) is a crime in any US state. This act not only endangers your life, this puts the other’s life at risk also. According to Florida traffic law, if you are found driving a vehicle after drinking alcohol or drugs and your BAC (blood alcohol content) rate is higher than 0.08%, you will be arrested for DUI. Drunk driving is a common offense and the result of being charged with DUI can be harsh as the US state law frowns on this offense.
In case, you are stopped while driving after consuming alcohol, you will be asked to take a breathalyzer test. If the law enforcers are not satisfied or they suspect that you are under the influence of drugs, they will ask you take a blood and urine test. Do not be in the misconception that if you have consumed doctor’s prescribed drugs, meaning medicine, you will be spared. If the medicine produces drowsy effect on the consumer, you may still be charged with DUID.
The immediate penalties for the first time offender are – community services, minimum $500 fine, probation, prison time for 6 months. The penalties may increase in case the BAC is .20%, or you are under the influence of drugs, or there is a minor with you. You r driving license can be suspended for 6 months too.
In case of second or third DUI offense, you will have to face harsher penalties. In addition to this, you will have to bear the burden of a criminal record forever. Also, if you get involved in any other offense during 7 years of being charged with DUI, the penalties of that offense will increased.
You will require the assistance of an experience Fort Lauderdale DUI attorney. He/she will review your case files and prepare a defense for you. Your attorney will question the arresting officers to find out whether they had a valid reason for asking you to stop. In case, there was not any, the act of stopping you would be considered as unlawful.
After this any expert attorney will challenge the breathalyzer test. He/she will ask to check the equipment and its’ maintenance report. Sometimes wrong result may show due to the bad maintenance. The BAC test result can be misleading also. Sometimes human body discharges natural alcohol and this combined with the consumed alcohol can produce different blood alcohol content result.
However, do not rely on your theoretical knowledge and try to handle the DUI lawsuit. Hire an attorney experienced in handling DUI defense lawsuit.
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