First Time DUI Lawyer Tampa, FL
Florida laws for driving under the influence (DUI) charges are quite strict, even if it is your first offense. We all know that drinking and driving is risky, but even so, many people may unwittingly get behind the wheel with a blood alcohol concentration above the legal limit. Many first-time DUI offenders may not realize just how low the threshold is for being over the legal limit or may have had a momentary lapse in judgment.
We want to help you! A Tampa, FL, first-time DUI lawyer can help protect your driver’s license, keep you out of jail, and mitigate the penalties and fines associated with a DUI conviction. Even if you are a commercial driver’s license holder, the legal team from Stechschulte Nell can help achieve a better outcome for your case than you could alone. We work hard to protect your rights and mount a vigorous defense for you. Call today for a case review!
How A Tampa First-Time DUI Lawyer Can Help You
Our attorneys get to work the second you contact us. We may petition to have you released from jail on bail and start the process to protect your driver’s license. The day you’re arrested for DUI, the police issue a Notice of Suspension to the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles (DHSMV), which lasts for 10 days; after the end of 10 days, your license will be suspended for at least 6 months, unless you contest the charges before then. We file the petition to contest the suspension right away so you can go to work or school and take care of your family.
In this hearing, we present evidence to the administrative judge and argue to avoid a suspension of your driver’s license.
Then, we turn our attention to the criminal charge. Y(ou may qualify for the Reducing Impaired Driving Recidivism (RIDR) program. Successful completion of the RIDR could mean that your DUI charge is reduced to reckless driving, which carries lesser penalties and may not affect your employment possibilities or CDL status.
Penalties For A First-Offense DUI In Florida
Florida considers driving under the influence of alcohol to be operating a motor vehicle with a blood alcohol content (BAC) of 0.08% or higher. As a frame of reference, this is about one to three drinks for the average adult. If you’re found guilty, you may see a jail sentence of six months and a fine of up to $1,000. In addition, your driver’s license will be suspended. You may also have limited diving privileges after the suspension lifts or be required to complete community service hours.
An attorney can fight the charge, starting with reviewing the initial DUI stop and any sobriety tests administered. If you were a victim of an unlawful stop or improperly administered breathalyzer or field sobriety test, we may be able to get your charges reduced or dropped. We also gather evidence to use on your behalf and use fine points of Florida criminal defense laws to present a strong case to a judge.
Advocating For Your Rights After A DUI Arrest
Have you been arrested for a DUI in Florida? If it’s your first DUI charge, the attorneys at Stechschulte Nell can help mitigate the penalty you face, preserve your driving privileges, and keep you out of jail. Contact us today for a consultation with a skilled Tampa first-time DUI lawyer.