First Offense DUI Penalties for Florida Residents

If you are a first time recipient of a DUI charge in the state of Florida, you might not be fully aware of the penalties you could potentially face as a driver. Florida’s DMV points to the fact that driving under the influence has been a contributing factor in many fatal and non fatal accidents in the area as their reason for implementing such harsh penalties on first time offenders. Under Florida law, drivers suspected of intoxication are required to comply with officials if asked to take a blood test or urine sample in order to prove their sobriety. Any non-compliance with this law could lead to an automatic one year suspension of the perpetrator’s license to drive a motor vehicle.

Drivers under the Age of 21

The state of Florida firmly enforces a zero tolerance law for drivers under the age of 21, regardless to their number of previous convictions. This means that driving while intoxicated, even if the blood alcohol level falls drastically below the legal limit, can still result in their license suspension, in addition to a number of fines and penalties. The average price in fines and expenses for first time DUI offenders, regardless to their age, is estimated to be in the $8,000 range.

List of Penalties

Challenging DUI charges without the help of a professional attorney is never advisable, even for first time offenders. If you have incurred a DUI charge in the state of Florida, you could face any or all of the penalties listed below.

• Fines and Court Fees— These charges add up quickly, and delayed payments could result in extremely high late fees in addition to the new debt.
• Mandatory Classes— DUI education is mandatory for many offenders.
• Up to Nine Months in Prison— Depending on the severity of the charge, DUI offenders could spend up to 9 months in jail.
• Probation— First time offenders could spend more than a year on probation and be subject to random drug and alcohol testing in addition to restrictions on other freedoms.
• Community Service— This could be in place of imprisonment or in addition to imprisonment depending upon the court’s ruling.
• License Suspension—The Florida DMV maintains the right to revoke your license altogether for an extended period of time.

How These Penalties can Impact Your Life

Each of the penalties listed above can restrict your freedom both on and off the road. Fines and court fees can add up, especially if you lose your ability to drive. Many drivers who lose their licenses are forced to rely on others for day to day chores and routines. If the commute to work is too far to walk every day, or if you are in an area where public transportation stops running at a certain time, it is possible that losing your license could result in the loss of your job as well. If you are convicted of a DUI and are sentenced to any term of imprisonment, that sentence can affect your ability to be hired in the future. Even probation can be debilitating in many ways and freedoms are definitely under restraint. Hiring a qualified Florida DUI attorney is of the utmost importance for first time DUI offenders in order to defend you successfully on your DUI case.