Locating a motorist arrested for drunk driving in Florida can be challenging and confusing. The driver typically spends hours at a police station and is then transported to a county jail, and finding a loved one under those circumstances can be difficult.  However, DUI / DWI criminal defense attorney Michael J. Kessler can help locate a driver quickly, and work promptly to secure his or her release from custody.

Anyone trying to locate a driver arrested for DUI / DWI should have the individual’s full name and date of birth on hand. If the driver has been in contact, having a booking number and the name of the arresting agency is also useful.

Some individuals arrested for driving under the influence of alcohol in Florida are released on their own recognizance, also known as OR. A driver released on his or her own recognizance makes a written promise to appear in court to face the DUI / DWI charge. If he or she fails to appear in court, an arrest warrant will be issued, and the driver will face separate charges for failure to appear. The gravity of the failure to appear charge will depend on whether the underlying DUI was a misdemeanor or a felony.

Some counties automatically screen arrested drunk drivers to determine whether they can be released on their own recognizance.  Most jurisdictions keep the driver in custody long enough to protect the arresting agency from liability in the event of a DUI accident causing injury. Drivers who are ineligible for release on their own recognizance may require the services of a bail bondsman.