Is a DUI a Felony in FL?

Is a DUI a Felony in FL?The state of Florida is governed by a set of rules that are notoriously tricky to navigate and understand. This means it can often lead to problems when people misinterpret the rules. As a law firm, we get asked a lot of questions by clients who are unsure of where they stand. A common question is from those who want to know if a DUI charge is classed as a felony or a misdemeanor.

Unfortunately, there isn’t a clear-cut answer, as there are a range of different factors that are involved. Obviously, most people who have committed a potential offense will want to do everything they can to reduce their penalties and their charges. The best way to do this is to make sure you utilize the services of a good Florida DUI lawyer. When dealing with a driving under the influence case, they could be the only way that you avoid jail time, a hefty fine, and ultimately a Felony DUI conviction.

Here at The Ticket Lawyers, we have a wealth of experience in dealing with cases just like yours. We know how to navigate the complexities of FL DUI law and will be your best shot at avoiding a decision that could affect the rest of your life. Give us a call today for a free consultation.

Our phone lines are always open, so give us a call on 855-323-8488.

What is an FL DUI?

A DUI is short for driving under the influence. Another term that is sometimes used is DWI, which stands for driving while intoxicated and is usually used when drugs are involved.

Under Florida DUI Law, you will be found guilty of a DUI if your blood alcohol content is .08 or more or .04 if you are a commercial driver.

To judge this, a police officer will attempt to conduct a breathalyzer test on the scene. These tests can be notoriously inaccurate but will attempt to read the concentration of alcohol inside your body by testing your breath. If you score above the limit, you will be arrested and will have to battle a DUI conviction.

The police will judge the severity of your test results. The higher you score above the limit, the more serious the penalty. Another thing they will look at is whether or not it is your first time. First-time charges tend to be a lot less serious than repeat offenses.

Is DUI an Automatic Felony?

No, fortunately for most first time offenders, a DUI charge, if successful, will be classed as a misdemeanor, not a felony. There are exceptions to this, however, with more severe cases having the potential to be upgraded to felony charges with attached jail time and larger fines.

One reason that will lead to a much higher chance of a felony charge is when the offense is a repeat one. A Florida DUI charge will automatically be upgraded to a felony DUI charge if you have been caught twice within ten years.

If you are caught four times within ten years, you will be given an automatic felony charge regardless of any circumstances.

You can find more information on penalties for a misdemeanor or felony DUI on the Florida Highway and Motor Vehicles (FHMV) website.

What Can a Skilled DUI Attorney Do For Me?

Dealing with a DUI charge can be extremely scary. Often, you will feel victimized and under scrutiny, before you have even been tested. Receiving either a misdemeanor or a felony charge both come with the potential for severe penalties.

Here at The Ticket Lawyers, we don’t judge, and we don’t victimize. We understand that police tests are not always accurate. We also understand that even the best of us can make bad choices, and we do not want to see anybody’s life ruined by a momentary lapse of judgment.

A skilled DUI attorney will be able to help in a number of ways. Firstly, we will be able to offer immediate advice through our free consultation. We will advise you what you should and shouldn’t do and will help you from making the mistakes that could harm your case.

If you have been tested and have scored lower then 0.15%, there is a good chance that you will be able to avoid the more severe punishments, such as jail time, probation, or license suspension.

If you have been tested as the result of an accident that you may or may not have caused, it is even more important that you have a skilled DUI attorney on your side if you want to avoid the higher punishments that could be served.

Our team of skilled lawyers here at The Ticket Place will fight our hardest to reduce your chances of conviction as well as the severity of the charges you might face. We could be the only difference between you being convicted of a misdemeanor or a felony.

Make sure you get in touch as soon as possible to give yourself the best possible chances of a result that you are happy with.

Call us today at 855-323-8488.