Florida DUI Lawyer - Penalties for First DUI Offense

If you enter a plea to a charge of DUI in Florida, the court is required to impose certain statutory minimum punishments. First, the Court is required under Florida law to adjudicate you guilty of the offense. Once you are adjudicated guilty of the offense, then you will never be eligible to expunge or seal the DUI arrest record, or any other criminal record. Secondly, the court is required to impose certain punishments discussed below.

If you have been charged with a first DUI in Florida, find the motivation to fight the charges. Many of these cases throughout the Tampa Bay area are reduced so that the driver can avoid a DUI conviction. Avoiding the DUI conviction can save you thousands of dollars over the next three to five years from both the direct consequences of the plea and the indirect consequences of the plea including a dramatic increase in your insurance premiums.

At the Sammis Law Firm we have a strategy to fight your first DUI case aimed at giving you the best possiblity of avoiding a DUI conviction. It is our job to get you the best possible result and we take that responsibility seriously. For any first DUI in Tampa, Hillsborough County, FL (or the surrounding counties of Pinellas, Polk, Pasco. Hernando or Manatee County) call 813-250-0500 to speak with an experienced Tampa DUI Lawyer.

Punishments for a First DUI in Florida

Unless you avoid a DUI conviciton, the Court must impose the following minimum mandatory punishments if you enter a plea of guilty or no contest to a first DUI in Tampa, Hillsborough County, FL:

• Incarceration (Jail Time): Up to 6 (six) months in the Hillsborough County Jail (if the blood alcohol reading is .15 or higher or a minor was in the vehicle then the jail time is up to 9 (nine) months);
• Period of Probaiton: Up to 12 (twelve) months of probation (but in no event may the total period of incarceration and probation exceed twelve months total);
  
• Community Service Hours: Required minimum of 50 hours of community service (although the judge may permit you to "buy out" any number of hours at a rate of $10 per hour);
• Fine: Minimum fine of $500 but up to $1,000 (with a blood alcohol reading of .15 or higher or if a minor was in the vehicle, then the minimum fine is $1,000 but up to $2,000. For those individuals that are unable to pay the fines because of financial circumstances, the Court may allow the individual to perform community service hours for $10 credit per hour);
• Period of Florida Driver's License Revocation: At least a six (6) month suspension with a maximum suspension of up to twelve (12) months;
• Hardship Driving Permit: Business Purposes Only or Employment Purposes Only Reinstatements: After the driver has completed DUI school, he way apply for a possible hardship reinstatement for business purposes or employment purposes only;
• immobilization or Impoundment of Vehicle: The Judge is required to impose a 10 days of vehicle immobilization which cannot be served at the same time as the jail term (court can grant exception if the impoundment presents a hardship to a family member that has no other means of transportation or if the vehicle is used only by an employee of the defendant or if the vehicle is owed by the defendant's business).
• DUI School: The judge must impose a requirement that the driver complete either Level I DUI School (twelve (12) hour class or Level II DUI School that included a drug and alcohol abuse evaluation and completion of any any recommended follow up treatment; and
• Ignition Interlock Device: The judge is not required to impose an ignition interlock device be installed unless the driver's blood alcohol reading was .15 or higher or a minor was in the vehicle in which case the court is required to impose this requirement for six (6) months.

If you are facing a first DUI in Florida, contact an experienced DUI lawyer to discuss your case. Call the Sammis Law Firm for a free consultation in the office or over the phone. Call 813-250-0500 today.

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