Consequences of Driving Under the Influence in Florida

 The people of Florida should be mindful of its DUI laws. Every driver should know how to drink responsibly. People are arrested for DUI for different reasons. Maybe the arrest is a result of poor judgment, bad luck or even eagerness of police officers to arrest.

As a driver in the sunshine state, you should be aware of the following facts about DUI laws.

  

Florida DUI Laws

If you have been arrested for DUI, you are only given ten days to make an appeal of not suspending your driver’s license. A conviction will lead to permanent criminal record, high fines, lengthy probation, and driver’s license revocation. You will be forced to attend substance abuse classes and install ignition interlock device too. You should consider consulting with an experienced DUI lawyer about your rights under the law.

Breath Analyzer Test

If you blow beyond the legal limit of .08 BAC (breath alcohol concentration), your driving privileges will be suspended for six months. If you refuse the test, the suspension is one year. You are given ten days to make an appeal against the suspension of your license. In case you lose the appeal, then your license remains suspended and you will not be entitled to a work permit for 30 days (breath test) or 90 days (refusal). You may face a first-degree misdemeanor, which is punishable by up to one year in county jail, if you refuse to submit a breath and/or urine test for the second time.

Ignition Interlock Device

An Ignition Interlock Device is a tool installed inside a vehicle, which requires the driver to breathe into a measuring device before the vehicle will start. The car will not start if the device detects any alcohol. A person convicted of a first offense DUI with a BAC above .15, or a second or third DUI offender who wishes to get a permanent or restricted driver license is mandated to install this device, at their own expense. Drivers must show proof of interlock installation before they will be issued a license.

Third DUI Offense

Multiple convictions of DUI in Florida carry increased penalties. A third offense within ten years, for example, can be charged as a third-degree felony. Ten years ago, a third DUI offense within ten years was a misdemeanor offense.

If you have been arrested for DUI, you must talk to a lawyer as soon as you can. A DUI lawyer has many valid legal defenses to a DUI prosecution.