Florida DUI Penalties and Punishments
Florida DUI punishments
Drinking and driving can be very dangerous for one’s life and the others’ as well. Hence, to avoid any bad outcomes, the government has set a legal limit of alcohol consumption (or other intoxicated drugs) that must not be exceeded if you have to drive. In Orlando Florida, the punishments of DUI vary depending on whether the law has been broken for the first time, the level of alcohol in blood, and the cooperation of the driver with the police.
Driver’s License suspension
If an individual refuses to take the alcohol test via breathalyzer or blood/urine test, the government might suspend his or her license for a certain time period. If this is the person’s first time, the suspension might last for 6months; however, if this is the second time he has done this, he might get his license suspended for 18months. The same is with those drivers whose blood alcohol content exceeds the legal level i.e. 0.07.
People whose license has been suspended can apply for a hardship license or a business license. This has a validity period of 42days. In case you had taken the test, then you will also have to provide evidence that you have attended DUI School after the suspension of your license. For those who do not take the test, can use this time period to hire a DUI lawyer and ask him/her to gather all evidence to show that the police did not have any solid proof of their crime.
Jail and fines
Florida DUI penalties can be very severe and a person can also be jailed for the offense. If the crime has been committed for the first time, the time that has to be spent in jail will be six months. Along with this, the offender also has to attend an alcohol rehabilitation center or drug abuse treatment facility. He/she will have to pay a fine of $500 to $1000 as well. Drivers convicted of DUI also have to spend 50 hours for community service. Otherwise, they have the option to pay $10 for every hour of community service.
Other than these, a driver might also be ordered to install an Ignition Interlock Device in his/her vehicle. This device requires the person to breathe in it every 30 minutes. The data that is collected is sent to the DMW headquarters.
It can be possible for a person to get away from these penalties. For this, he/she needs to hire an experienced DUI lawyer. In case the lawyer is not able to help you waive the penalties altogether, he will still help you in, at least, lowering them.
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