If you face charges of driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol, you need advice from a trustworthy DUI attorney in Florida. Get the facts about the state's DUI laws and penalties to understand why it's so important to protect your interests in this situation.

The Basics About Laws and Penalties From Your DUI Attorney in Florida

Penalties for a First-Time DUI

The legal blood alcohol concentration in Florida is 0.08%, or 0.04% for a driver with a commercial license. If you have no prior DUIs, you could receive up to six months in jail and a fine of $500 to $1,000. You may also lose your license for 180 days to 1 year, and the state can impound your vehicle for up to 10 days unless your family has no other form of transportation.

When you're under arrest for DUI in Florida, you will stay in police custody for at least eight hours. You cannot leave the facility until you have a BAC of less than 0.05% with no visible evidence of intoxication.

Penalties for a Second DUI

A second DUI conviction within five years of the first can result in up to nine months in jail, a $1,000 to $2,000 fine, and license revocation for 180 days to 1 year. You'll also have to use an ignition interlock device for up to two years after you get your license back. This device gives you a breath test and prevents the vehicle from starting if it detects alcohol. In addition, the state can impound your car for up to 30 days.

Penalties for Three or More DUI Convictions

If you get a third DUI within a decade of the first two incidents, you could be in jail for up to a year. A third conviction also carries $2,000 to $5000 in fines, and the state can impound your vehicle for up to 90 days. License suspension and IID penalties remain the same as for a second DUI.

Penalties for Aggravated DUI

You can receive elevated penalties for an aggravated DUI. If you get a DUI with a BAC of 0.15% or higher at the time of arrest or with a passenger who is younger than 18, maximum jail terms increase by up to three months and fines can double.

A DUI that results in property damage or personal injury carries additional legal consequences. You can receive a fine of up to $1,000 and up to a year in jail. Florida imposes felony charges for DUI crashes that cause serious bodily injury. Penalties for conviction include a fine ​of up to $5,000 and up to five years in prison.

Penalties for Manslaughter and Vehicular Homicide

​If someone dies in a DUI crash, the responsible driver can ​receive a fine of up to $10,000 and up to 15 years in prison. When the driver leaves the scene of the accident, the maximum prison term increases to 30 years.
You don't have to face DUI charges alone. Contact Cobb Law Firm in Destin, FL today to schedule a consultation before you attend your hearing.