 |
Driving Under the Influence in Bartow, FLBartow DUI Attorney
|
If you were arrested for driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs (DUI), it is important to hire an experienced and aggressive Polk County DUI Lawyer to fight the charges against you. At the Sammis Law Firm, P.A., we focus on drunk driving and DUI cases and have a proven track record. Call 813-250-0500 to find out what you need to do today to protect all of your rights and have the best chance of avoiding a DUI conviction in Bartow, FL.
If you have been arrested for DUI in Polk County, FL, after either taking a breath test or allegedly refusing a breath test your criminal case will be prosecuted at the courthouse in Bartow, FL. In addition to the criminal case, you should also fight the DUI administrative suspension of your driver's license initiated by the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles (DHSMV).
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 license has previously been suspended after a DUI arrest, you may be facing a driver's license suspension of twelve (12) to eighteen (18) months.
If your driver's license is administratively suspended after a DUI arrest in Bartow, 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, meaning that you can not drive for any reason for 30 days. If you allegedly refused to take the breath test, then your hard suspension will be for 90 days for a first offense. The only way to avoid this suspension is to fight and win your Formal Review Hearing with the DMV.
The Benefits of Hiring an Attorney Early in the Process to Fight your DUI Arrest in Bartow
Hiring an Criminal Lawyer for Polk County, FL 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 Clearwater 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, FL.
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. Call 813-250-0500 today to speak with a Criminal Attorney for Bartow, FL.
DUI Information Center
Florida DUI Penalties and Punishments - Find out more about the specific punishments and sentences that follow a DUI conviction following a conviction for DUI in Bartow under Florida DUI laws.
DUI Administrative Hearings - Find out more about protecting your driver's license administrative suspension that can otherwise occur after your arrest in Bartow, Polk County, Florida, even if you are not ultimately convicted of DUI.
DUI Refusal Cases - If the DUI officer said that you "refused" the DUI breath test, learn more about the "good news" and the "bad news" following an alleged refusal for DUI in Bartow, FL.
Defending Women Against DUI - If you are a woman arrested for DUI in Polk County for Bartow, FL, visit this page for more information about special defenses and considerations that can apply to defending women charged with DUI.
DUI Roadblock or Checkpoint Cases - Where you arrested during a roadblock or checkpoint for DUI in Bartow, Florida? Visit this page for more information about filing and litigating a motion to suppress all evidence that occurred after a roadblock or checkpoint case.
FR-44 Insurance - What are the real costs of a DUI conviction after an arrest for DUI in Bartow? Find out about how much your insurance will go up after a DUI conviction.
Felony DUI with Serious Bodily Injury - Where you arrested for the felony DUI charge of DUI with serious bodily injury in Bartow or Polk County, FL? If so, visit this page to find out more information about defenses that can exist to Felony DUI for serious bodily injury charges.