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I Got a DUI – What Should I Do?
DUI, driving under the influence, is a serious charge – one that won’t simply go away on its own. The holiday season is among the most common time for people to be pulled over and charged with DUI. If you are one of those people, don’t worry. You’ll be able to fight the charges. A DUI arrest can shake you up and make you feel terrible about yourself. If you’ve recently been stopped for DUI you need to understand the process and how to move forward. First and foremost, get an experienced DUI attorney as soon as possible. The sooner you involve an attorney, the better. As soon after your arrest as possible make notes as to exactly what happened before, during, and after your arrest. This information will be invaluable in determining the best defense against the charges. In most cases, vehicles are stopped for more than one violation, so you’ll likely be facing several charges.
What to Do If You’re Stopped for DUI
It’s important to be as polite and respectful to police as possible during any traffic stop. Provide your driver’s license, vehicle registration, and proof of insurance. If the officer suspects that you may have been drinking he will ask you to step out of the vehicle and perform some preliminary roadside sobriety tests. These may include such things as walking a straight line or reciting the alphabet. These tests are not mandatory but it’s usually best to comply with what is being requested. If the officer feels that you have been drinking he may move forward with an arrest. You will be asked to take either a blood, breath, or urine test to determine BAC (blood alcohol content). In Florida, the legal BAC limit is 0.08%. Anything over that will be considered DUI.
Implied Consent
Florida has an implied consent law meaning that you are required to consent to these types of BAC tests. Failure to consent to taking a test won’t get you out of trouble. In fact, refusal to take the tests as requested is a separate violation and one that will result in prosecution. Refusal to take the test can (and will) be used against you in your DUI case and you’ll be subject to separate charges that, if guilty, will include automatic suspension of your driver’s license for a period of time. While the decision to take a breath test is entirely up to you, it’s usually best to comply and face the consequences. What you can (and often should) do is request that your own independent testing be completed. This will need to be done at the time of the other testing and you’ll need to pay for it – but it can actually help you out later in defending your case in court. Your attorney will review the test results as sometimes the tests are improperly done or the results aren’t analyzed correctly.
Will I Lose My Driver’s License?
Every DUI case is different so there is no set answer to this. If this is your first DUI and there was no accident or injuries involved, it is going to be easier to get a favorable outcome. A DUI conviction will naturally result in some punishment that will typically include some fines, some restrictions on your driving, and possibly some jail time. You’ll almost always get the best possible outcome with the help of a seasoned DUI lawyer than if you try to defend the case on your own. Your lawyer will review every aspect of the traffic stop and resultant DUI arrest to determine the defense strategy to utilize. The attorney will represent you throughout your case and get the charges lowered. If you are found guilty of the offense your lawyer will help get the least possible punishment. TheseThese
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
