DUI crimes in the State of Florida are a very serious offense, and they have the potential to lead to felony charges, depending on the severity of the incident. The State of Florida does not tolerate driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs, and there are harsh punishments set in place for DUI offenders.
An extreme DUI offense can result in a third-degree felony charge, which carries a fine as high as $2,000 or even $5,000. The risk for a DUI offense is usually when your blood alcohol content (BAC) level reaches 0.08% or more. Furthermore, if you are found guilty of multiple DUI offenses within a certain period, then you will receive even harsher punishments. In this case, you will need to hire skilled representation if you wish to protect your legal rights in Bradenton.
The Law Place has over seventy-five years of collective experience helping clients in Bradenton and across the State of Florida beat their driving under the influence charges. Our law firm understands the complexities that come with tackling DUI crimes, and we have the necessary knowledge to handle your case with efficiency.
A felony DUI charge means serious business, and you will need the most qualified legal representation to handle your case. However, the good news is that we have a team of skilled DUI lawyers who are willing to take on your case and fight for your future together.
If you call today to set up a free consultation, then a DUI attorney will discuss your case, answer all of your questions, and explain the process to you. We will work hard as a team to reduce your charges and decrease the severity of the consequences for your felony DUI charge in Bradenton.
Do not hesitate to call The Law Place today. Our phone lines are open twenty-four hours a day, seven days a week. A DUI attorney will be waiting to hear from you.
Contact us now at (941) 444-4444 for a free consultation, and we will fight your felony DUI charges together in Bradenton.
Definition of Driving Under the Influence Charges in Bradenton, FL.
There are a variety of charges that an individual may face if they are arrested for driving under the influence in Bradenton. Florida Statute 316.193 states than an individual will face DUI charges if the following is true:
- The individual was operating a vehicle or was in physical control of a vehicle in the State of Florida.
- The individual was under the influence of alcohol or any type of chemical substance.
- The individual’s blood alcohol content (BAC) was at 0.08% or more.
For a free legal consultation with a felony dui lawyer serving Bradenton, call 941-444-4444
Driving Under the Influence (DUI) Laws and Penalties in Bradenton, FL.
The penalties for a conviction of DUI will vary depending on the seriousness of the crime and whether the individual has prior convictions on their criminal record.
An individual who has received one or two DUI convictions will face the following penalties:
- Fines – An individual who is convicted the first time for DUI will receive a fine between $500 and $1,000. However, a second DUI conviction will mean that they receive a fine between $1,000 and $2,000.
- Jail time – An individual who is convicted the first time for DUI will be sent to jail for up to 6 months. However, a second DUI conviction will result in spending up to 9 months in jail.
- Driver’s license suspension or revocation – An individual who is convicted the first time for DUI could possibly have their driver’s license suspended for up to 180 days, according to Florida Statute 322.28. However, if the individual commits a second DUI within a period of 5 years, then a conviction will result in the revocation of their driver’s license for up to 5 years.
- Ignition interlock device – An individual who is convicted the first time for DUI could possibly result in the installation of an ignition interlock device for up to 6 months at the court’s request – if the individual’s blood alcohol content (BAC) level was at 0.08% or more. However, if the individual’s BAC level was .15% or above, then a first time DUI conviction will mean that the ignition interlock device will be mandatory for a time period of up to 6 months. Furthermore, a second DUI conviction will result in a mandatory installation of an ignition interlock device for up to one year, which the individual will have to pay for when they qualify to receive a restricted or permanent license.
An individual who has received three or subsequent DUI convictions will face the following penalties:
- Fines – An individual who is convicted for a third DUI within a period of 10 years will be charged with a third-degree felony, and they will receive a fine as high as $5,000. However, if a third DUI conviction occurs more than 10 years after the last DUI conviction, then it could potentially result in a fine of between $2,000 and $5,000. A fourth or subsequent DUI conviction will be charged as a third-degree felony, which results in a fine as high as $2,000 or more – regardless of the time that it occurred.
- Jail time – An individual who is convicted for a third DUI within the same time period of 10 years could result in spending up to 5 years in jail. However, a third DUI conviction that occurs more than 10 years after the last DUI conviction could potentially result in spending up to 12 months in jail. A fourth or subsequent DUI conviction could potentially result in spending up to 5 years in jail – regardless of the time that it occurred.
- Driver’s license suspended or revocation – A individual who is convicted for a third DUI within a period of 10 years since the last DUI will result in the revocation of their driver’s license for up to 10 years. A fourth or subsequent DUI conviction will result in the revocation of their driver’s license permanently.
- Ignition interlock device – An individual who is convicted for a third DUI conviction will result in the mandatory installation of an ignition interlock device for up to 2 years, which the individual must pay for when they qualify for a restricted or permanent license.
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Enhanced Penalties for DUI Accident Involving Property Damage or Bodily Injury in Bradenton, FL.
An individual who is caught driving under the influence and causes an accident that results in property damage or serious bodily injury will face enhanced penalties, separate from the penalties that they will receive from the standard DUI conviction.
An individual who is convicted of a DUI offense that caused or contributed to the damage of any property or resulted in physical harm to another individual will be charged with a first-degree misdemeanor, which carries up to $1,000 in fines and a one-year jail sentence.
An individual who is convicted of a DUI offense that caused or contributed to serious bodily injury of another individual will be charged with a third-degree felony, which carries up to $5,000 in fines and a 5-year jail sentence.
An individual who is convicted of a DUI offense that caused or contributed to the wrongful death of another individual or an unborn child will be charged with DUI manslaughter, which is classed as a second-degree felony. The penalties include spending up to 15 years in jail and receiving up to $10,000 in fines.
If the individual knew or should have been aware that an accident occurred, and they willfully chose to flee the scene, which left the injured individual to subsequently die, then they are guilty of committing DUI manslaughter, which is classed as a first-degree felony. The penalties include spending up to 30 years in jail and receiving up to $10,000 in fines.
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Underage DUI Charges and Penalties in Bradenton, FL.
Florida’s Zero Tolerance Law outlines the strict underage driving under the influence laws in the United States. In this case, law enforcement has the authority to initiate a breathalyzer test for minors who are under the suspicion of underage drinking. In addition, law enforcement does not have to have a suspicion that the minor is driving under the influence in order to get them to take a breathalyzer test in the State of Florida.
Law enforcement is given full authority to request any driver who is under the age of 21 to take a breathalyzer test if the officer is convinced that the minor has consumed any amount of alcohol in Bradenton.
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DUI Crimes in Florida
Driving under the influence (also referred to as impaired driving) occurs when an individual attempts to operate their vehicle while they are under the influence of alcohol or drugs, according to the Florida Department of Transpiration (FDOT). It is worth noting that DUI cases are the cause for up to 25% of motor vehicle accidents in the State of Florida.
A DUI offense can occur when an individual consumes one or more of these substances:
- Illegal substances, such as heroin or cocaine.
- Alcohol.
- Prescription medication, such as benzodiazepines or opioid painkillers.
Understanding the Severity of DUI in Bradenton, FL.
Florida Statute 316.1934 states that it is illegal for an individual to consume alcohol or drugs that results in an impaired judgment or a lack of control over their motor vehicle on the road.
A list of normal faculties that could result in impaired judgment due to usage of alcohol or drugs include:
- Walking and coordination
- Depth perception.
- Quick judgment and logic.
- Speaking and general comprehension.
- Sight.
- Hearing.
Committing a DUI Offense in Bradenton, FL.
An individual who is found guilty of driving under the influence of alcohol, drugs, or other harmful controlled substances while in physical control of a motor vehicle will be charged with a DUI offense in the State of Florida.
In order to be convicted of a first time DUI:
- The individual consumed alcohol, drugs, or other controlled substances, which impaired their judgment and rationality.
- The individual’s blood alcohol content (BAC) level was at 0.08% or above.
Steps of a Florida DUI Charge
Once you have been arrested and charged with driving under the influence, there are a series of steps that you must follow. Firstly, you might have been pulled over by a law enforcement officer for a variety of reasons. For example, you could have been speeding, running a red light, swerving and weaving in and out of lanes, failing to signal, or other kinds of suspicious behavior. After you were pulled over, the law enforcement officer might request that you take a field sobriety test and a breathalyzer test if they have a valid reason to believe that you were driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs.
However, if you fail to take the field sobriety test or the breathalyzer test, then you might be arrested and taken into custody in Bradenton. At this point, a prosecutor will analyze the facts of your arrest and determine whether criminal charges should be pressed against you. In this case, you will most likely be charged for driving under the influence. At this point, it is imperative for you to contact a criminal defense lawyer who has a complete understanding of DUI laws in the State of Florida.
Contact The Law Place Today
If you are facing Florida criminal charges for driving under the influence, then you might be feeling uncertain about what to do next following your arrest. Luckily for you, The Law Place has managed hundreds of cases exactly like yours with great success.
The Law Place has over seventy-five years of combined experience in fighting DUI charges and achieving reasonable outcomes for each and every case across the State of Florida. Our law firm has a dedicated team of DUI lawyers who understand the intricacies of DUI cases like yours and who have an in-depth knowledge of the legal system in the State of Florida.
If you are looking for the best law firm in town, then you have come to the right place – The Law Place. A DUI defense lawyer will begin by conducting an investigation into your charges, gathering evidence and facts, negotiating with the prosecutor, and working hard to develop an strong defense strategy to take into the courtroom.
Rest assured that a DUI defense lawyer from The Law Place will target the weaknesses in the prosecutor’s arguments and ensure your victory in Bradenton. There is no need to be concerned when you have a criminal defense attorney from The Law Place fighting for your rights. Our top priority is always the client, and anything you share with us will be held in confidence under the attorney-client relationship privilege.
Do not hesitate to reach out and call The Law Place today. Our phone lines are open twenty-four hours a day, seven days a week. A criminal defense lawyer will be waiting to hear from you.
Contact us now at (941) 444-4444 for a free consultation, and we will fight your felony DUI charges together in Bradenton.
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