Bauer Crider | Kindel & Parry
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Criminal Defense Is All We Do – Put Over 100 Years Of Combined Experience On Your Side
Attorneys David Parry, Matthew Kindel and Curtis Crider

Experienced, Effective DUI Attorneys

Being arrested for driving under the influence and facing a DUI charge can be daunting. The flood of emotions you feel following your arrest can only add to the stress of the situation. Our DUI criminal defense attorneys at Bauer, Crider, Kindel and Parry understand that everyone makes mistakes, and we don’t want you to pay for yours for the rest of your life.

DUIs are a significant problem across the United States, and Florida takes a proactive approach to enforcing its DUI laws to ensure the safety of the public. However, in some cases these laws can be unfairly applied to people accused of violating them, and that is why we are here to help you. We will hold the criminal justice system accountable so that your rights are respected at all times, and you do not become just another number in the system.

Can A Criminal Defense Attorney Get DUI Charges Dismissed?

Utilizing experience and expertise, a DUI lawyer may be able to get your DUI case dismissed or reduced. There is a very strict procedure for collecting and handling evidence in Florida. A judge may throw out evidence against you if the procedures are not followed.

If the evidence against you is legitimate, our criminal defense lawyers at Bauer, Crider, Kindel and Parry will examine all aspects of your case and all of the relevant evidence, including:

  • Arrest records from the police
  • The initial traffic stop you encountered
  • Sobriety test results
  • Your blood or urine test results
  • Your booking and processing after arrest

Florida police often make mistakes, especially in DUI arrests. Your lawyer can use these mistakes to get the charges against you dropped.

After A DUI, How Long Do You Have To Prevent A License Suspension In Florida?

According to Florida law, after you have been charged with a DUI, you only have 10 days to prevent a license suspension. If this is your first DUI charge, your license could be suspended for a minimum of six months. If your blood alcohol content was significantly higher than .08% or if you refused a breath, blood or urine test, your license could be suspended for longer. Our Tampa Bay DUI lawyers can help you request an administrative hearing with the DMV to save your license and protect your rights.

What Happens If You Get A DUI In Florida And You Are Underage?

The legal drinking age in Florida is 21, and the state makes no exceptions to this rule. Although this law has been in place for decades, it doesn’t seem to stop underage people from drinking. Getting charged with underage drinking is nothing to take lightly, but getting charged with an underage DUI is even more serious. For everyone 21 and older, the legal BAC driving limit is .08%, but the limit for everyone under 21 is .02%. When an officer thinks a driver might be driving under the influence, they can pull the driver over and ask for a BAC test.

Because of Florida’s implied consent laws, if an underage driver refuses to take a BAC test, their license can be suspended for a year. Once a driver is detained, they have 10 days to file a petition for a hearing. Drivers can get a temporary driving permit, that is valid for 10 days. To get a temporary permit, drivers need to file for an administrative review hearing. This hearing can have a big impact on the driver’s ability to get a valid license, so having a DUI lawyer at this point is ideal.

The first time a driver gets convicted of an underage DUI, they can be fined up to $2,000, have their license suspended for six months and may serve jail time. For a second conviction, they can spend a year in jail, be fined $4,000 and have their license suspended for a year. In addition to penalties from the state, insurance companies can raise the driver’s premium or cancel the policy entirely.

DUI Penalties In Florida

Depending on your arrest and defense, the consequences of a DUI can be mild to severe. These penalties also depend on whether this is your first DUI or if you are being charged with a felony-level DUI as a multiple offender. Penalties may include:

  • Fines
  • License suspension
  • Jail time
  • DUI school
  • Ignition interlock device installed in a vehicle
  • Impound of vehicle
  • Community Service Hours

Depending on the circumstances of your arrest, whether you took a blood, breath or urine test, we only have a limited amount of time to build your case in order to portray your situation in the most favorable light. The more time your criminal defense team has to prepare your DUI defense, the stronger your case will be.

For some clients, alternative sentencing procedures are available that can be used instead of traditional trials and punishments. In these cases, the goal is to educate and reform those who are seen as lower risk for repeating their offense. Some of the options available include:

  • Day Reporting Program: This program requires participants to report daily and focuses on rehabilitation rather than punishment. Participants are responsible for covering the costs associated with the program, which are generally minimal. Typically available to individuals sentenced to less than 61 days of imprisonment.
  • Electronic Monitoring / Work Release Programs: Recommended by DUI defense lawyers for those convicted of DUI offenses. Participants wear an electronic monitoring device that tracks their location and activities, allowing them to maintain their daily routines. The monitoring device records information and can impose restrictions on the participant’s movements.
  • Residential Drug and Alcohol Treatment Programs: These programs involve a stay in a residential facility where participants undergo drug and alcohol counseling and comprehensive evaluations.
    Aimed at rehabilitation and reducing the likelihood of reoffending. Popular among those convicted of DUI as it addresses underlying substance issues.

If you’re eligible for one of these programs, your attorney can work with you to try and get your case diverted into one of these. They can advise you on the potential impact this might have and which one would fit your needs.

This advice is especially critical when you consider how a potential conviction could impact you as opposed to a diversionary program. A criminal conviction can preclude you from obtaining certain jobs, impact your eligibility for government benefits and also carries a stigma that can impact your life in many other ways. These programs offer a helpful alternative that can alleviate some of these issues and help you move past your situation.

Contact A DUI Lawyer Today

Have you been arrested for a DUI in Florida? Take the right steps to secure your future and protect yourself from a DUI conviction by calling on an aggressive legal team. We are dedicated to our clients and will continually guide you throughout every step of your case, giving you honest, useful advice.

To schedule a free consultation, call our office at 727-275-9822 or send us an email using our online form.