Do I Need a Florida DUI Attorney?

The question on most criminal defendants' minds when they are arrested and charged with a crime, such as a Florida DUI, is whether or not they need or can even afford legal help. But the question you really need to be asking yourself at a time like this is; can I afford to not hire a Florida DUI attorney?

The consequences for a drunk driving conviction in Florida are severe, particularly if it is not your first arrest for a Florida DUI. If you are charged with driving with a blood alcohol level of more than Florida's legal limit of .08, you will face serious consequences.

Penalties for First Florida DUI Conviction

While it may be tempting to think "Hey, it's my first brush with the law; maybe they'll let me off easy," know that Florida DUI laws have established a set formula for punishing first time DUI offenders. These penalties include:

• Fines of $250-$500;
• As much as 1 year of probation;
• As much as 6 months in jail;
• Up to 9 months in jail if your blood alcohol level (BAL) was .08 or higher and you had a minor in the vehicle;
• Loss of driver's license for at least 180 days;
• 50 hours of community service; and
• Mandatory 12 hours in DUI school.

With any subsequent DUI convictions, the penalties become more severe. Then there is the social stigma involved with a Florida DUI conviction. Having this black mark on your record could interfere with your ability to find a job or create other unfavorable situations.

Fighting Your Florida DUI Charges

It's important to remember that just because you were pulled over and charged with a Florida DUI doesn't mean that you are guilty of the crime. You don't have to accept the standard punishment at face value; a Jacksonville DUI defense attorney can help you to mount a legal defense that may be able to reduce your charges or have them dismissed altogether.

While every lawyer should be able to promise that they will fight for your rights to the best of their ability, no attorney can honestly guarantee that they will be able to win your case. If you encounter a Jacksonville DUI defense attorney that makes any bold promises or guarantees of success, you should continue your search for a Florida DUI attorney who can offer an aggressive, but realistic, approach to your case. A qualified DUI attorney will focus on challenging the evidence presented in your DUI case, such as the validity of the results of your Breathalyzer test.

Contacting a Jacksonville DUI Defense Attorney

You don't need to face a criminal charge on your own. A Jacksonville DUI defense attorney from Sullivan & Hepler can help you to mount a solid defense in your Florida DUI case. Before you hire a DUI attorney, order this free guide; The State of Florida v. You: The Accused's Guide to Defending a Florida DUI Charge. To get started with your defense, contact us today at 904-384-8808 or 1-800-295-4193

We represent clients in Jacksonville, Duval County, Orange Park, Middleburg, Green Cove Springs, Clay County, Westside, Southside, Northside, Arlington, Mandarin, Atlantic Beach, Neptune Beach, Jacksonville Beach, Ponte Vedra Beach, and St. Johns County.  Our Social Security lawyers and workers' comp attorneys also represent clients in Fernandina Beach, Yulee, Callahan, Hilliard, Nassau County, Palatka, Putnam County, Lake City, Columbia County, Macclenny, Baker County, Starke, Bradford County, Vilano Beach, St. Augustine, St. Augustine Beach, St. Johns County, Palm Coast , Flagler Beach, Flagler County,  Brunswick, Glynn County, Waycross, Ware County, Kingsland, St. Marys, Camden County, Jessup, Wayne County, Valdosta, and Lowndes County.