Switch to ADA Accessible Theme
Close Menu
Fort Lauderdale Criminal Defense Lawyer / Fort Lauderdale DUI Lawyer

Fort Lauderdale DUI Lawyer

There are nearly 60,000 DUI arrests in Florida each year, yet only 40,000 of those arrests lead to a conviction. While being arrested for a DUI is an extremely traumatic and daunting experience, there is still a good chance that you can beat the charges, or at least have the penalties the prosecution is seeking reduced. The Fort Lauderdale DUI lawyer at Haber | Blank LLP can help you get started on your defense today.

Florida’s Penalties for Driving Under the Influence

Like all states, it is illegal to operate a motor vehicle in Florida with a blood alcohol content (BAC) of 0.08 or higher. Penalties for a first time DUI conviction include losing one’s license for 180 days or more, imprisonment of up to six months, fines as high as $1,000, and vehicle impoundment for 10 days. Second, third, and fourth DUI convictions carry much greater penalties, including misdemeanor charges, DUI driver’s school, probation, and the mandatory installation of an ignition interlock device.

Increased Penalties for a Blood Alcohol Content of 0.015 or Higher

All of the above penalties can be increased if the defendant’s BAC was equal to or greater than 0.15, which is the agreed threshold at which many drivers will have blurred vision, altered mood, nausea, vomiting, complete loss of balance, loss of muscle control, dysphoria, and other side effects that greatly inhibit a driver’s ability to operate a motor vehicle. Drivers with a BAC of 0.15 or greater face extra jail time, increased fines, lengthier periods of probation, increased time for vehicle impoundment, and a higher chance of losing their driver’s license for an extended period.

Defense Against DUI Charges

While being arrested and booked in jail for a DUI may seem like a done deal in terms of the inevitable conviction, there are actually a number of defense strategies to work with, depending on the circumstances of your case. Even if you blew a BAC over 0.08, there may still be grounds for a dismissal. Below are a few of the ways in which we have assisted clients in beating the charges set against them:

  • No probable cause for pulling over the defendant in the first place
  • Defective breathalyzer device, or improper administration of the test
  • Expert witness challenges the prosecution’s breath results or blood test results
  • In place of a breathalyzer test, the defendant was subjected to a field sobriety test that was improperly conducted
  • Police procedure violated the defendant’s civil rights
  • The defendant had a medical condition, such as Parkinson’s, that affected the field sobriety test results, or impacted their driving
  • Dash camera video evidence shows that police did not follow due process. Or, video evidence taken by the police was erased or destroyed, which offers another avenue to challenge police procedure
  • Defendant was not read the Miranda rights

Call Our Fort Lauderdale DUI Lawyer Today

DUI charges are serious matters. DUI crashes that cause property damage, bodily injury, serious bodily injury, or death, are obviously even more serious offenses that often result in felony charges in addition to the DUI offense. favorable plea deal. Call our Fort Lauderdale DUI lawyer at Haber | Blank LLP today at 954-767-0300 to schedule a free consultation.

×