Driving Under the Influence in Polk County, FL Polk County DUI Attorney

If you have been arrested for Driving under the Influence or Drunk Driving (DUI), contact an experienced criminal defense attorney for Polk County. At the Sammis Law Firm, P.A., we focus on DUI cases throughout the Tampa Bay area, including Polk County and Hillsborough County, Florida. We are experienced in representing clients in the courthouses in Bartow and Lakeland, Florida.

DUI cases in Polk County are different because officers with the Polk County Sheriff's Office rarely, if ever, use video equipment to record the DUI investigation. Although nearly all other jurisdictions throughout Florida rely heavily on video evidence, the Polk County Sheriff's Office refuses to use this most basic method of preserving evidence.

The DUI Officer's Refusal to Preserve Evidence

In DUI cases, the officer often testifies about his or her opinion of whether the suspect was intoxicated from alcohol or impaired from any controlled substance. Jurors are often sceptical of the officer's testimony when there is no video evidence to support it. The refusal of the Pasco County Sheriff's Office to preserve this important evidence demonstrates their fear that the video will prove the mistakes or misconduct of the arresting officers. The lack of video evidence also makes it more likely that innocent people will be convicted and guilty people will go free.

Never attempt to represent yourself in a DUI case. A significant number of these cases are reduced or dismissed. If you can not afford a private attorney, then tell the court you would like to have an attorney with the public defender's office appointed to represent you. If you can afford to hire an experienced criminal defense attorney, take advantage of the free consultation offered by attorneys.

If you would like to talk to an attorney at the Sammis Law Firm before you scheduling a consultation in the office, then call our office to request a phone consulation so you can talk with an attorney on the phone. Act quickly because in DUI cases you only have 10 days after the arrest to protect your privilege to drive. Call 813-250-0500 to find out what you need to do today to protect all of your rights. Find out how we can help you fight for the absolute best result in your case with the goal of avoiding a DUI conviction.

After Your Arrest You Only Have 10 Days to Demand a Formal Review Hearing to Protect Your Driver's License

Remember that you only have 10 days after your arrest to file a request for a formal review hearing with the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles. If you fail to do you, your driver's license will be automatically suspended for a period of six (6) months for a breath test reading over the legal limit of 0.08 or for a period of one year for an alleged refusal to submit to chemical testing case.

If your driver's license is administratively suspended in Polk County, Florida, you may be apply for a business purpose only or hardship license after serving out a "hard suspension" period during which you can not drive for any reason. If you took the breath test and blew over the legal limit, then a 30 day hard suspension will result. If you allegedly refused to take the breath test, then a one year suspension will result after an administrative suspension.

The Benefits of Hiring an Attorney Early in the Process to Fight your DUI Arrest in Polk County

Hiring an attorney early in the process allows you to fight the administrative suspension of your driver's license. At the formal review hearing your attorney can subpoena of the law enforcement officers that were involved in your arrest to provide testimony under oath that is recorded.

That testimony can later be used to prepare motions to dismiss, or motions to suppress or exclude evidence during your criminal trial. This formal review hearing is particularly important in misdemeanor DUI cases because your DUI attorney does not normally have the opportunity to take a deposition of the officers involved in your arrest before a motion hearing or trial.

Wining your Polk County DUI case through Motions to Suppress and Motions to Dismiss

In many DUI cases in which a viable motion can be filed, the best results occur after your attorney has filed a motion to suppress or exclude evidence, or potentially a motion to dismiss. Learn more about potential defenses that may apply to your DUI prosecution by contacting an experienced DUI lawyer who is experienced in fighting cases in Bartow, Polk County, Florida.

DUI School in Polk County, Florida 

Individuals who are arrested for DUI must often complete a Florida approved DUI school for one of the following reasons:

1. the individual has an administrative suspension after a DUI arrest that is not invalidated after a former review hearing; or
2. the individual is required to complete DUI school as a condition of probation after entering a plea to either DUI or a reduced charge of reckless driving.

In most cases, an attorney will recommend enrolling in DUI school even before the administrative hearing or the criminal portion of the DUI charges are resolved.

Through a contract with the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles (DHSMV), one company called Tri-County Services is permitted to operate the DUI program in Polk County. Tri-County services is also permitted to provide DUI program (often called DUI School or DUI Classes) for people living or working in Highlands County and Hardee County, Florida. Click here for more information on how to enroll online - Enroll online for DUI School.

Tri-County Services provides DUI classes at the following locations:

Schedule Your Free Consultation Over the Phone or In the Office Today

Contact the Sammis Law Firm today to fight out what steps you must take in the 10 days after your arrest to preserved all of your options for the best result in your Bartow, Polk County, Florida, driving under the influence or drunk driving (DUI) case.

DUI Information Center

Florida DUI Penalities and Punishments - If you have been arrested for a DUI in Bartow, Florida, find out more about the possible penalties and punishments that can follow a DUI conviction under Florida law.

DUI Administrative Hearings - Find out more about protecting your driver's license administrative suspension that can otherwise occur after your arrest, even if you are not ultimately convicted of DUI.

DUI Refusal Cases - Find out more about DUI arrests that occur after an alleged refusal to submit to a chemical test of your blood, breath or urine. Special considerations apply to DUI refusal cases in Bartow, Polk County, Florida. Find out more about the "good news" and the "bad news" about an arrest for DUI after an alleged refusal.