A Florida DUI / DWI arrest triggers two separate cases – in court, and at the DMV. The court case gets resolved in one of two ways – through a jury trial or a plea bargain. It’s possible to beat a Florida drunk driving charge, but only with expert legal help. Some drivers accept plea bargains or are convicted in court. Regardless of whether a driver is convicted by a jury, or pleads guilty, the court case then moves on to the sentencing phase. 

The punishment meted out after a Florida DUI / DWI conviction depends on many factors, including the number of prior convictions the driver has, whether the case was charged as a misdemeanor or felony, and whether or not the driver was involved in an accident. A skilled Florida drunk driving criminal defense lawyer can guide a driver through the complexities of the legal system and ensure that he or she receives the best defense possible.

Florida convictions for DUI / DWI or driving under the influence of drugs (DUID) may include fines, license suspension or revocation, jail time, alcohol education programs, and conditions of probation including ignition interlock devices.

Whether the case was charged as a felony or a misdemeanor; whether the driver’s blood alcohol content (BAC) was .20 percent or greater or had a child in the car when arrested, and whether he or she has had other drunk driving convictions within the past 10 years will all affect the punishment the driver faces. 

Prior drinking and driving convictions can substantially increase the punishment for DUI / DWI. Multiple drunk driving convictions in a 10-year period make it far more likely that the driver will be sentenced to jail.

The fines payable after a Florida drunk driving conviction can range from $250 to $5,000, depending on the facts of the case. First-time DUI / DWI drivers can expect to pay a fine of $250 to $500. Multiple drunk driving convictions and factors such as a BAC of .20 percent or greater, a child in the car, and a felony designation all increase the amount of the fine.

Driver’s license suspensions after a Florida DUI / DWI conviction can last for anywhere from six months to a lifetime. License suspensions stemming from a criminal conviction are separate from those resulting from an unsuccessful DMV hearing.