Articles Tagged with drunk driving defense lawyer Broward

A Fort Lauderdale DUI arrest has the potential to do more than halt your driving privileges. It can result in jail time, major fines, and close the door to many opportunities – including those years down the road that may not even be on your radar yet. It can be tough to wrap your mind around the fact that one mistake made in a moment of poor judgment can have such a serious and lasting impact – but it’s true. The best way to minimize a negative outcome and long-term implications (some of which you may not have even realized existed) is to hire a Fort Lauderdale DUI defense attorney.

While driving impaired is often a one-time error for a lot of people, it’s something police in Broward County come across a fair amount. According to the Florida Department of Law Enforcement (FDLE), there are roughly 1,300 DUI arrests in Broward in an average year. Along with assaults, drug arrests, and theft, it’s among the top 5 most common criminal charges filed in Broward County.

Florida DUI Statutes

F.S. 316.193 is the primary Florida DUI statute. It spells out the criteria for determining driver impairment and the potential penalties.

One of the first things people want to know after a DUI arrest is, “Am I going to jail?” The answer is, “Probably yes, at least for booking. But how long you stay there – and the seriousness of the other penalties you face thereafter – depends on a number of factors that are going to be specific to your case.”

If it’s your first offense, you’re over the age of 21, don’t have a BAC of 0.15% or higher and you didn’t cause an accident, hurt anyone, or have a child under 18 in the car, you’re most likely facing a second-degree misdemeanor. You’ll be looking at fines ranging from $500 to $1,000, up to 6 months in jail, up to 1 year of probation, 50 hours of community service, vehicle impoundment, possible interlock ignition mandate, and completion of a DUI substance abuse course. Continue reading