Seminole DUI Lawyer
Anyone who drives while impaired by drugs or alcohol could face a DUI charge. As a penalty, a drunk driver can lose their license, even before they are convicted. You can also face up to six months in jail for a first offense or possibly even more time depending on the surrounding circumstances.
Call The Reep Law Firm to discuss how to handle a DUI charge. Many people are embarrassed and afraid their employer will find out. You do have defense options, which a Seminole DUI lawyer can explain in a private consultation.
Administrative License Suspension
Drivers are shocked to discover the state will automatically suspend their license after an arrest. But that’s the law. You should call our office quickly. You have a right to request a hearing in which you can argue why your license should not be suspended
A first-time offender will have a license suspended for six months. However, if you have a prior DUI, then you could have a one-year suspension. Under Florida’s implied consent law, the state can also suspend a license for refusal to take a breath test.
Criminal Case
The DUI also has a criminal component. The state must prove you guilty beyond a reasonable doubt to obtain a criminal conviction, which is some measure of protection. Nonetheless, a first-time offender can face up to six months in jail or nine months if their alcohol concentration was 0.15 or higher. Repeat offenders face increased penalties, including longer time in jail or prison.
Any DUI will also cause downstream problems, such as higher insurance premiums and a criminal history which is public information. Your employer could find out about the conviction and suspend you or fire you.
Don’t lose hope. Our firm knows how to fight a DUI charge. The defense will depend on the facts:
- Reasonable doubt. The state might not have sufficient proof that you committed DUI. For example, you might not have given a breath or urine sample, so the state doesn’t have definitive proof of your alcohol concentration. Witness testimony might be conflicting, and the police officer’s dashboard video might show you weren’t drunk.
- Chain of custody violations. Even if you gave a blood or urine sample, we might cast doubt on its reliability. The sample could be tampered with or degraded due to improper handling.
- Illegal search or seizure. The officer might have lacked a valid reason for stopping you. If so, we can ask the judge to dismiss the case.
We might even try to negotiate a plea deal for a reduced charge, such as reckless driving. Contact us to review all possible avenues of obtaining a favorable result.
Consult an Experienced Seminole DUI Lawyer
The Reep Law Firm provides comprehensive criminal defense services to anyone facing a DUI charge. Give our office a call to discuss the circumstances surrounding your arrest. The biggest myth is that fighting a charge is hopeless. In fact, we have helped countless motorists with DUI charges, and we know how to win.
