First Time DUI Florida
What Happens When You Get a Dui for the First-Time in Florida?
Are you facing a Driving Under the Influence charge for the first time in Brevard County, Florida? Melbourne’s DUI attorney represent clients throughout Brevard County area, including Cocoa, Melbourne Beach, Malabar, West Melbourne, Palm Shores, Titusville, Grant-Valkaria, Indialantic, Rockledge, Indian Harbor Beach, Palm Bay, Melbourne, Cocoa Beach, Melbourne Village, Satellite Beach, and Cape Canaveral.
Our attorney understands for first-time offenders being charged with a DUI can be a stressful experience. For many individuals a DUI charge may be their first experience with Florida’s criminal justice system; if that is the case, The Law Offices of Bryan J. McCarthy will certainly use that as a tactic to defend you.
Attorney for First DUI in Melbourne County, FL
Our experienced Melbourne DUI attorney is dedicated to striving to obtain the best possible outcome for your case. At The Law Offices of Bryan J. McCarthy, we are prepared for anything that may occur in court. We will challenge the prosecution aggressively on your behalf.
Call for a free and confidential consultation. We can help you understand the charges pending against you and the best way to fight the case. One mistake shouldn’t come with a lifetime of consequences. Call us to find out how to protect yourself and your driving record.
Call (321) 248-7742 today.
Two Types of DUI Charges in Florida
According to The State of Florida DUI law, you may be convicted of a DUI if:
- Your blood or breath alcohol content (BAC) is above .08%, although you may not necessarily appear to be impaired; or
- Your normal faculties were impaired due to alcohol intoxication or impairment due to the consumption of a controlled substance.
Individuals arrested for DUI’s will be released only if they meet the State’s specific conditions for release. The DUI offender must no longer be under the influence and faculties must be back to normal conditions. Blood and breath alcohol content levels must be lower than 0.05 or a time span of eight hours from the time of the arrest must elapse.
Possible Penalties for First-time DUI Convictions under Florida Law
- Imprisonment:
Most individuals charged with a first misdemeanor DUI in Brevard County and the surrounding areas who resolve their case short of a trial do not face any additional jail time. In other cases, the court may allow the individual to serve any jail time in a residential alcohol or drug abuse treatment program. Under Florida law, first-time offenders face a maximum sentence of not more than 6 months unless their blood or breath alcohol content level is 0.15 or higher, which comes with a maximum sentence of 9 months in jail.
- Fines:
The State of Florida fines for first-time DUI charges, if convicted, will be between $500.00 to $1,000.00. In cases when a offenders blood or breath alcohol content level is 0.15 or higher, or when a minor child is in the automobile, the fine will be $1,000 to $2,000.
- Community Service:
When convicted of a DUI for the first time, there may be a mandatory requirement that you perform 50 hours of community service or additional fees of $10 per hour of community service required if the court allows the individual to “buy out” any portion of the community service.
- Probation:
You can be sentenced to up to 12 months in jail.
- Immobilization:
First-time DUI offender’s automobiles may be immobilized for 10 days unless a household or family member of the defendant has no other form of transportation.
- Driver’s License Revocation:
If convicted of a DUI for the first time, the offender’s driver’s license may be revoked for a minimum of 180 days or a maximum of 12 months.
- Reinstatements:
If you need your driver’s license reinstated for business or employment-related purposes, first-time offenders must complete a DUI school program and apply for a hearing for possible hardship reinstatement. Offenders whose blood or breath alcohol level was 0.15 or more at the time of arrest will be required to have an ignition interlock device for up to 6 months.
- DUI School Requirements:
First-time DUI offenders will not be re-licensed to drive until completion of DUI School in Brevard County, Florida. If you enroll in DUI School and your driver’s license is reinstated after your revocation period expires and you fail to complete the DUI School program within 90 days after reinstatement, your license will be canceled; you will not be re-licensed until DUI School is finalized.
Finding a DUI Defense Lawyer in Brevard County, FL
If you are located in Brevard County, Volusia County, Seminole County, Osceola County, Indian River County or Orange County and you are in need of a DUI lawyer, let our DUI attorney represent you for your first impaired driving offense.
With offices in Melbourne, FL, the DUI attorney at The Law Offices of Bryan J. McCarthy will evaluate the procedures used by the arresting officer and the results of any field sobriety or chemical tests.
Call a DUI defense attorney in Melbourne, FL to discuss yours. Our extensive background knowledge in dealing with the State of Florida DUI laws will be beneficial in our approach to clear your name and get you the best possible result. Provide us with the specific details of your situation by calling us today at (321) 248-7742.