DUI Defense

Polk County Florida Criminal Defense Firm providing Criminal DUI Defense Attorney – Lawyer Legal Services in Lakeland, Winter Haven, Bartow, Polk County, and the surrounding Central Florida area.

What is a DUI?

According to Florida Criminal Statute §316.193, a DUI (Driving Under the Influence of Alcoholic Beverages, Chemical Substances or Controlled Substances) is the act of either operating a motor vehicle or other mode of transportation while being impaired of his or her normal faculties or having an unlawful blood alcohol or breath alcohol level of .08 or above.

DUI Conviction Penalties

• First Conviction: A fine of not less than $500, or more than $1,000. If a minor child is in the vehicle at the time of the DUI arrest or your blood alcohol level (BAL) is .15 or higher, a fine of not less than $1,000 or more than $2,000 may be awarded.

• Second Conviction: A fine of not less than $1,000, or more than $2,000. If a minor child is in the vehicle at the time of the DUI arrest or your blood alcohol level (BAL) is .15 or higher, a fine of not less than $2,000, or more than $4,000 may be awarded.

• Third Conviction More than 10 years from second: Not less than $2,000, or more than $5,000. If a minor child is in the vehicle at the time of the DUI arrest or your blood alcohol level (BAL) is .15 or higher, a fine of not less than $4,000 may be awarded.

• Fourth or Subsequent Conviction: Not less than $2,000.

Burden of Proof for a DUI Conviction

DUI Many people assume that if they are charged with a DUI it is an automatic conviction. This is not true. Field sobriety test are subjective, probable cause must be proved to substantiate the charge, law enforcement must not have violated your rights, and all scientific devices used to determine your blood alcohol ratio must be proven to work properly and to have been calibrated properly within the guidelines for the particular legal standards. A DUI Does not mean an automatic conviction. You do have rights that must be protected. For more information regarding the burden of proof relating to DUI charges and potential defense strategies that may be available to you, contact our office by calling 863.937.9100.

If a dismissal of your DUI charge is not possible, we will ensure you are fully aware of your legal options going forward such negotiating for a plea deal, or in the case of a trial ensure you are fully aware of every aspect regarding defense strategies that may best serve in the defense of the charges against you.

Each DUI defense attorney, lawyer, and staff member in our law firm are ready to assist you in even the most difficult of legal challenges you may be facing. We will aggressively represent your legal needs, interests, and goals regarding your criminal DUI charge issues, as well as other misdemeanor and felony criminal defense related legal issues.

If you must address DUI defense issues in Lakeland, Winter Haven, Bartow, Polk County, or the surrounding Central Florida area, speak to an experienced DUI defense