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Penalties for a DUI
If you see police lights flashing in your rear view mirror and you have taken the wheel after you have been drinking, you could be facing years of trouble. If this is the first time this has happened to you, you could be charged with a DUI misdemeanor. If is it not your first time, you may well be looking at a felony conviction. Fines for a first DUI charge in Florida range from $500 and $1,000, and you can face up to six months in jail. You could be on probation for up to a year with a commitment of up to 50 hours of community service. Your vehicle could be seized for up to 10 days. If you have had DUI convictions before, the stakes are even greater. Your fine could jump to at least $2,000 and possibly as much as $5,000. You could be looking at an absolute minimum of 30 days in jail, with two of them served back-to-back. You could lose your vehicle for three months. If underage, the penalties could be even worse.
DUI penalties in the state of Florida also vary depending on what your BAC – or blood alcohol content – is. When you drink alcohol, your body does not metabolize it the same way it does food. It lingers in your system for a while. When a law enforcement official asks you to take a breath test, the alcohol you have consumed is still there, lingering in your lungs’ air sacs. The breathalyzer measures its concentration per 100 ml of your blood. If the concentration registers at .08 or more, you could be in trouble.
Can this reading be false? Absolutely. Any number of factors can cause a inaccurately high breathalyzer result. The breathalyzer is a machine, and machines sometimes malfunction or err. Breathalyzers can mistake a diabetic condition for alcohol. They can also erroneously register inhaled paint fumes, smokeless tobacco and mouthwash as alcohol.
It is never a good idea to drink and drive. But if you are pulled over by a law enforcement officer, the case is rarely as cut-and-dried as the prosecutor will attempt to make it appear. You need an experienced Orlando DUI defense attorney who has the knowledge to sort through the charges against you and find the mitigating factors in your situation. The attorneys at Katz & Phillips can make a huge difference. Our law firm has been defending against DUI charges for many years. We know that one small detail can make the difference between moving on with your life and years’ worth of penalties. Call us at your first opportunity so we can help you.
Decades of Trusted Service. Hundreds of Grateful Voices.
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“David Katz sets the standard by which all other defense attorney's must measure. He not only knows his craft and has the experience to back it up, he relishes forcing his opponents to follow the law towards the best outcome for his clients.”- Karate K.
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“Christine Vazquez took on our case with a 24hr commitment. She put everything on the line to hold the judicial system accountable.”- Phil W.
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“I can’t thank attorneys Christine Vazquez and David Katz enough for the incredible job they did on my DUI case.”- Gabriel H.
Why Hire Katz & Phillips?
Some important reasons to secure experienced representation include:
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Board-Certified* Attorneys
Our founding attorneys are two of three board-certified* DUI defense lawyers in the state.
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Former Prosecution Experience
As former prosecutors, we bring an invaluable perspective and skillset to every case.
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High Success Rate in Criminal Defense
With a 90%+ success rate, our proven track record of success speaks for itself.
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Decades of Experience
With more than 10,000 cases handled, our advocates are well versed in criminal law to help you navigate your case with care and efficiency.
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Always Responsive
Our team is available to take your call and address any questions or concerns you have.
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Financing Available
The last thing you need during a criminal case is financial stress. Our firm offers financing with no credit check required.
Meet Your Dedicated Defense Team
Led by two of Florida's Board-Certified* DUI Experts, Our attorneys bring together more than 50 years of success, defending clients across Florida against criminal and DUI charges.
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DUI Charges Reduced
The court deemed all other conditions satisfied so M.A. did not have to go on probation at all and walked out of courthouse with a fine and fees to pay, and the case behind her.
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Case Dismissed
J.A.R. had had a previous DUI conviction and was facing mandatory jail time if convicted of this offense. In reviewing the discovery provided by the state, our team found several issues with the police investigation, and realized that our clients’ rights had been violated.
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All Charges Dropped
In reviewing the evidence provided by the State our team realized that T.R.’s rights had been violated when she was immediately illegally arrested by the Trooper. Further, there were many other errors made by the Trooper which would result in the evidence gathered being suppressed.
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All Charges Dropped
In this case, our client, R.H., was out with friends. A family member who was angry with him tracked his location by tracking his cell phone, called the police, told them he was very drunk, and led the police right to his car. The officers stopped his car and eventually arrested him.
Our Case Results
Two of Florida’s only Board-Certified* DUI Defense experts fighting for you.
- DUI Charges Reduced
- Case Dismissed
- All Charges Dropped
- All Charges Dropped
