If you have been arrested for driving under the influence (DUI) in Largo, do not panic. The best thing you can do is contact a reputable team of criminal defense lawyers for some honest and unbiased legal advice. You must be aware of all of the legal options available to you. If convicted, you could lose your driver’s license, receive a hefty fine, be made to serve jail time, and more. The sooner you contact a DUI defense lawyer, the better.
At The Law Place, we have defended countless criminal cases. Our team of lawyers has over 75 years of combined experience. Their knowledge and understanding of the criminal justice system can be hugely beneficial to your case.
We understand that mistakes happen and that is why we do all we can to achieve favorable outcomes for our clients who have suffered DUI arrests. Our DUI lawyers in Largo will work to try and get your case reduced or dropped. To schedule a free consultation with some of the best DUI lawyers in Largo, call us now at (941)-444-4444.
What Is DUI?
DUI is an acronym for driving under the influence. In Largo, Florida, these offenses are penalized severely. A DUI offense is committed when a driver is caught operating a vehicle while intoxicated over the legal limit of alcohol and/ or drugs. This offense is also referred to as drunk driving and driving while intoxicated (DWI).
You can be arrested for DUI in Largo for the following reasons:
- Your blood alcohol concentration (BAC) is tested to be .08% or higher. If you are a minor, you will be arrested if your BAC is .02% or higher.
- Your normal faculties are impaired by chemical substances.
- Your normal faculties are impaired by controlled substances.
Penalties Following a DUI Conviction
DUI cases are treated severely by the state of Florida in the interest of public safety. If you are facing criminal charges for DUI, you should not expect to be treated leniently or lightly. Depending on how many previous DUI convictions you have, the penalties you could face could be very severe.
Regardless of whether you are facing your first DUI conviction or fifth conviction, you should seek reputable legal representation. Our law firm can offer you the best chance you have of achieving the best possible outcome.
First Conviction
For a first-time DUI charge, you can expect to face the following consequences:
- A fine of $1,000
- Up to six months in jail.
- Up to one year of probation.
- DUI school.
- The impoundment of your vehicle for ten days.
- A license suspension for a period between 180 days and one year.
These charges apply to offenders who have a blood alcohol concentration (BAC) below .15%. Those who have a BAC of .15% and above can expect to face much more severe penalties for a first-time offense. They may even be required to install ignition interlock devices in their vehicles.
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Second Conviction
If you have been arrested for DUI for the second time, you can expect to face harsher penalties than what you faced for your first conviction. The severity of your penalties will also depend on how recently you committed your last offense. If your DUI arrest occurs fairly soon after your first conviction, you will likely have to serve some jail time. In these cases, a judge can impose a minimum of 10 days imprisonment.
Some additional penalties that you could encounter following a second DUI conviction include:
- A $2,000 fine.
- Up to nine months in jail.
- Up to one year of probation.
- The impoundment of your vehicle for 30 days.
- A requirement to install an ignition interlock device for six months.
- Your driver’s license is suspended for a period between 180 days and one year.
From the initial call to updates on your case status, we are here to get you answers.
Felony Conviction
Felony DUI cases often involve offenders who have committed DUI three or more times within a decade of their first offense. Felony convictions are far more severe than misdemeanor convictions. If you are facing a felony DUI conviction in Largo, Florida, you must contact a DUI lawyer. If you don’t fight your charges, you can expect to serve up to 15 years of jail time. This can have a massive impact on the lives of you and your loved ones.
With the help of a DUI lawyer, you may be able to get your charges reduced to reckless driving. By doing this, it is possible to avoid a felony conviction. Our lawyers at The Law Place have helped countless clients get their charges reduced or dismissed and they can do the same for you.
DUI Manslaughter
If you have caused a traffic accident that resulted in death because you were driving under the influence, you can expect to face severe punishment. The offense of DUI manslaughter is a second-degree felony. This is a major offense that carries huge consequences.
A judge will examine the evidence of the case before making a judgment, but they will likely state that DUI manslaughter offenders must serve up to 15 years in jail and pay fines of up to $10,000.
DUI on a Boat
Many people in Florida assume that DUI laws only apply to road vehicle users. This is not the case. These laws also apply to people who operate boats. If you are caught operating a boat under the influence of alcohol and/ or drugs in Florida, you can be arrested for DUI. Not many Floridians are aware of this fact and many are caught out every year.
If you have been caught driving a boat while impaired, you must contact a criminal defense lawyer. DUI charges are difficult to beat and you will need all the knowledge and experience you can get.
Can I Drink and Drive?
You can drink alcohol and drive in Largo but you must make sure that your blood alcohol concentration (BAC) remains below .08%. Therefore, many people should only have one drink if they intend to drive. Our law firm, however, recommends that no one gets behind the wheel if they have consumed alcohol and/ or drugs. Although your BAC may be below the limit, you can still be arrested for DUI if an officer believes that your normal faculties are impaired.
When your body intakes alcohol, the substances are slowly absorbed into your bloodstream. It is then the role of your liver to break down these particles. The average body can process one drink per hour. Drinking more alcohol than what your body can process can cause you to become intoxicated and impaired. Driving while impaired is dangerous because your reaction times will be slowed down and it can cause you to make poor judgments.
One drink of alcohol is measured in different ways depending on the specific type of alcohol. For example, one drink of beer typically equates to 12 ounces. Whereas, one drink of wine equates to 5 ounces and one drink of whiskey equates to 1.5 ounces. It is important to understand your limits and the consequences of driving under the influence. If you think your BAC may be over the legal limit, do not get behind the wheel. Not only can you cause serious harm to other people, but you could lose your license, go to jail, and more.
DUI Charges on Driving Records
If you receive a DUI, that conviction will remain on your driving record for 75 years. This could be the rest of your lifetime. Having these convictions on your driving record can be a huge annoyance. It can increase your insurance rates and it can prevent you from achieving professional licenses.
By seeking legal representation from a DUI defense lawyer, you will give yourself the best chance you have of getting the conviction dismissed or reduced. At The Law Place, our criminal defense tea will do all they can to ensure that your clean driving record remains intact.
DUI Charges on Criminal Records
These charges on criminal records are serious because they cannot be expunged. This means that they can never be removed from your record. Having a criminal record can impact your life hugely. It can reduce your chances of finding employment, it can impact international travel and more.
The best thing a DUI lawyer can do for you is to get your charges reduced from DUI to reckless driving. This is not an easy task but our criminal defense team will work as hard as they can to try and achieve this.
Reckless driving charges are far more preferable than DUI charges because not only do they carry less severe penalties, but they can be expunged from a criminal record. If you wish to get convictions expunged from your criminal record, you need to contact a reputable criminal defense law firm. Our criminal defense attorneys at The Law Place have helped countless clients get their convictions expunged from their criminal records and they can help you too.
How to Act at the Scene of a DUI
If you are ever caught driving under the influence in Largo, Florida, there are a few things you can do to benefit your future criminal defense case. We have stated these below.
Stay Quiet
As soon as a police officer pulls your vehicle to a stop, it is important to remain calm. The best thing you can do is stay quiet and only answer simple questions. Do not feel pressured into admitting fault or making a statement. You should be polite and refrain from giving away too many details before you have had a chance to talk to a DUI lawyer.
Anything you do say or do at the scene of the arrest can be held against you. A DUI lawyer can advise you on what to say to law enforcement in your statement. We have helped many clients in this position so you can feel rest assured that a DUI lawyer from our law firm has your best interests at heart.
Cooperate With Law Enforcement
It is also very important that you cooperate with the police officers that you encounter. They will likely require you to complete a breathalyzer test and possibly field sobriety tests. You can be penalized for refusing a breathalyzer test, so we recommend that you complete the test and do as you are required.
We understand that breathalyzer results are often skewed or false and that is where a DUI lawyer can help. If a DUI lawyer can prove that your breathalyzer test was administered wrong, not calibrated, or administrated by an officer who hadn’t been sufficiently trained, your case could be dropped. This is why it is so important to hire a DUI lawyer. They can investigate your case and challenge law enforcement officials. Seeking professional legal help may be the best chance you have of getting your charges dropped.
How Can DUI Lawyers Help Me?
At The Law Place, our team of lawyers has defended countless criminal cases. There are many ways that they can help you. First of all, if you have been arrested, you should immediately call one of our lawyers for some honest and unbiased legal advice. A member of our team can help you understand your best legal options. In addition, they can help you apply for a driving permit. This can ensure that you are still able to use your vehicle while you await the outcome of your case.
Our lawyers are also trusted figures who you can lean on for support. They will help you navigate the complex traffic laws in Florida and guide you through all of the legal proceedings. Your lawyer can also complete an in-depth investigation into your case to help build you a solid defense strategy.
As soon as you contact our law firm, you will be able to schedule a free consultation with a member of our team. In this meeting, we can answer your questions and offer you some advice. It is then your decision whether you wish for us to proceed with your case. Do not worry about our fee structure, this will be outlined clearly for you.
Can I Get My Charges Dropped if I Have Previous Convictions?
It is possible to get your charges dropped if you have previous convictions. However, we strongly recommend that you hire a lawyer from a reputable law firm if that is something you wish to achieve.
Getting a conviction of any kind dropped is challenging, however, the task is made even more challenging when a defendant has previous convictions. An experienced lawyer will know the best defenses in these situations to help their clients receive the best possible outcome.
Contact The Law Place Today!
If you have been arrested for DUI in Largo, our law firm can help you.
At The Law Place, our team offers legal representation to clients in Largo and across the whole state of Florida. Our other practice areas include personal injury law, family law, and criminal law.
To find out more about our legal services and to book your free consultation, you should contact our law firm today. We are available to take your call 24 hours a day. What are you waiting for?
Phone us now at (941)-444-4444.