Summer is in full swing in sunny Fort Lauderdale.  Residents as well as visitors are enjoying the warm weather and longer days with sailing and sunbathing.  But the sun may set all too soon on these fun times for those caught drinking and driving.

Drunk driving is a serious offense in the state of Florida and the penalties associated with it are life altering for both the driver and their family.  If you have been arrested for drunk driving in the Fort Lauderdale area, there is no time to waste.  It is very important that you speak with a qualified DUI attorney as soon as possible after your arrest.

The laws governing DUI in Florida are complicated and there are numerous legal filings involved in these cases.  Additionally, once you have been arrested the clock is ticking on your driving privileges.

At the time of your arrest, your driver’s license was suspended automatically.  This suspension is effective for between 6 months and 1 year, depending on the circumstances of your case.  You will only have 10 days following your arrest in which to contest this suspension.  If you do not or if your appeal is denied, you will have to serve at least a portion of the suspension before you can even apply for a hardship license.

A hardship license will allow you to drive under certain circumstances if you can show that this is necessary.  These circumstances are most often related to employment and business purposes.

If you failed a chemical test used to determine your blood alcohol content (BAC) at the time of your arrest, you will have to serve at least 30 days of your suspension before being allowed to apply for a hardship license.  However, if you refused to take a chemical test at all, you will be required to serve 90 days of your license suspension before being able to apply for the hardship license.  You will also be required to show proof of your enrollment in an approved alcohol treatment course in order to apply for the hardship license.

Additional licensing fees will also be associated with your hardship license and the reinstatement of your license after the suspension is completed.  You will also be required to complete the licensing examination and provide proof of insurance.

As you can see, retaining your driver’s license after a DUI arrest is a difficult and complicated process.  A legal professional who has seen numerous cases just like yours is the best candidate to help you through this difficult time.  Do not delay; consult an experienced DUI lawyer today.

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West Palm Beach is the oldest incorporated municipality in South Florida, but its fight against drunk driving is still growing up.  Law enforcement agencies are stepping up their fight to keep drunk drivers off the streets and the laws related to DUIs are becoming tougher all the time.

Drunk driving is a serious crime in Florida and it has penalties that are equally severe.  If you have been arrested for a drunk driving offense in the West Palm Beach/Boca Raton area, you need the assistance of a knowledgeable DUI attorney to walk you through the tangled web of legislation.  You should seek out a legal professional who specializes in DUI cases to ensure that they are familiar with the all of the ins and outs related to DUI cases.

At the time of your arrest for DUI, your license was automatically suspended.  This suspension will be in effect for between 6 months and 1 year.  The length of the suspension will depend on whether this is your first or a subsequent DUI arrest.  You should have also received a temporary permit that will be in effect for 10 days following your arrest.  During these 10 days you will have the opportunity to file an appeal related to the suspension of your license.  You must file this appeal within the 10 day time limit or you will forfeit your right to contest the suspension of your driving privileges.

Your license is being suspended based on the outcome of a chemical test.  The chemical test is a sample of your breath or blood that is used to determine your blood alcohol content (BAC).  Any BAC of .08% or greater exceeds the legal limit for intoxication in the state of Florida.  If you refused to submit to a chemical test, your license will still be suspended.  The length of suspension will increase to 1 year for a first offense and 18 months for a subsequent offense if you have refused a chemical test.  You will have the opportunity to apply for a hardship license if you can demonstrate that you have a need to drive for business or employment purposes.  You will have to complete some period of the license suspension before you may even apply for a hardship license.  This period will vary depending on your driving record and the circumstances of your case.

If you have been convicted of DUI 2 or more times in the state of Florida or if you have refused to submit to a chemical test 2 or more times, you will not be eligible for a hardship license at all.

Once you have a DUI case pending against you, you must take quick action to retain your driving privileges.  In order to ensure that you are able to keep your case on track, you should consult a knowledgeable DUI lawyer as soon as possible.

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Summer fun is in the air in sunny Sarasota.  Residents are enjoying the warm weather and the longer days with boating and beach parties.  But if you mix drinking and driving, you may find your summer fun coming to a quick end.  If you have been arrested for a drunk driving offense in the Sarasota/Bradenton area, you need to take quick action to ensure that your driving privileges are protected.

Drunk driving is a serious offense in the state of Florida and the penalties for it can have a devastating impact on both your life and the lives of your family members.  Additionally, the laws related to DUI offenses are complicated and constantly changing.  You need a qualified legal professional to guide you through this complex process. It is important that you look for an attorney who specializes in DUI to ensure that they are the most knowledgeable regarding the current legislation related to DUI.

There are actually two separate legal cases related to a DUI in Florida.  The first is the administrative license suspension.  This is a separate case that relates only to your driver’s license.  At the time of your arrest, your driver’s license was automatically suspended for between 6 month and 1 year.  The duration of this suspension will depend on your driving record and the unique circumstances of your case.  The second case that is pending against you if you have been arrested for DUI is a criminal case.  This case is based on the results of the chemical test taken to determine your blood alcohol content at the time of your arrest.  The chemical test measures the amount of alcohol in your bloodstream based on a sample of your breath or blood.  The legal limit for intoxication in the state of Florida is .08% or greater.  You have the right to refuse the chemical test, but your license may still be suspended and there will still be a DUI case filed against you.

Penalties for a DUI conviction include fines, required alcohol treatment, community service, vehicle impoundment, and potentially jail time.  These penalties will increase in severity with each subsequent DUI conviction.  The fine associated with a first time DUI conviction with no extenuating circumstances is $500, but if the DUI conviction is a second or greater DUI offense the fine will increase up to $5000.  More severe penalties will also be assessed if there was a child under 18 in the car at the time of the arrest or if the driver had a BAC of .15 or greater.

As you can see, a DUI conviction can have a life-changing effect.  These cases should not be taken lightly.  To ensure that every effort is made in your DUI case, you should seek the professional counsel of an experience DUI lawyer without delay.

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