Driving Under the Influence (DUI)

If you are arrested for DUI you only have 10 days to apply for a formal review hearing to get your driver’s license back.  If this is your first alcohol related offense you may be eligible to immediately get a hardship license. Call our firm to get immediate help, attorneys are available by phone 24/7.

Every year it seems, the legislature meets to see how it can increase the penalties for DUI, make it practically impossible to hold onto your license (even if you’re innocent) and modify the law to make it easier to convict drivers accused of DUI.  Drunk driving cases are hard on the accused and should never be treated lightly.  Our firm has extensive experience in defending DUI cases including DUI manslaughter.  No matter what the circumstances, the arrest of citizens suspected of DUI, the gathering of breath and blood test evidence from them, their trials and sentences must be applied evenhandedly, with regard for fairness and due process of law.

A white hot spotlight has been focused on DUI cases for over 30 years.  Today, a person charged with even a first time DUI must take it as a major life event and deal with it accordingly.  Pleading guilty in exchange for an offer of minimum penalties and a guarantee of staying out of jail may look like a safe and logical thing to do.  But taking the easy way out – not bothering to even consult with an attorney who has had a wealth of experience defending DUIs – can end up complicating your life and costing you money in ways you never dreamed of.

A DUI case is tricky to defend.  A series of interrelated administrative laws and statutes affects every case, imposing separate sanctions that go beyond “a simple” loss of your driver’s license, a fine, and probation.   Understanding how DUI laws affect you and your license is not to be glossed over.  Driving while under the influence is an “enhanced penalty” crime, meaning previous and future convictions are in play and mandate the periods of incarceration, the length of driver license suspensions, and the amount of fines and related court costs.  Don’t go to court without an experienced DUI lawyer.  Call today <321-631-0506> for a same day appointment – every minute counts in DUI cases.  Attorneys are available 24/7.

DUI Felonies

These are very serious crimes and a person charged or likely to be charged with one of these DUI offenses should consult with an attorney immediately. There are few crimes that threaten a loss of freedom and impact every aspect of a person’s life – emotional, financial and professional – more strongly than a DUI felony. When serious bodily injury or death is a factor, there is no more critical time to speak with a very experienced felony DUI lawyer.  Our firm has extensive experience in felony cases including DUI manslaughter, murder, sexual battery, robbery.  If you are charged with a DUI felony you need a firm experienced in DUIs AND felonies.  These cases are time sensitive and you should not delay.

The least serious felony charge aimed at repeat offenders (third DUI within ten years or a fourth or subsequent DUI in your life) is a Third Degree Felony. The penalties are a fine of not less than $5,000 and/or five years imprisonment.

Anyone who causes serious bodily injury while driving under the influence, is also facing incarceration (not more than five years) and a fine of up to $5,000. Because of the added element of serious bodily injury, this third degree felony is more difficult to defend and therefore will require more financial resources to avoid than a simple first time DUI does.

The most serious DUI-related offenses are:

DUI Manslaughter: A Second Degree Felony with penalties of up to 15 years imprisonment and/or not more than $10,000 fine.

DUI Manslaughter/Leaving the Scene: A driver convicted of DUI Manslaughter who knew or should have known an accident occurred involving serious bodily injury and failed to stop to give information or render aid is guilty of a First Degree Felony. This is punishable by a mandatory minimum of four years in prison followed by up to 30 years imprisonment and/or not more than $10,000 fine.

Our attorneys have over 100 years combined experience.  Call us today to schedule your free initial consultation (321) 631-0506.