How to Find Information on the DUI Penalty in Florida

DUI (driving under the influence) laws dictate that drivers affected by drugs or alcohol are incapable of operating their vehicles. DUI violations in the state of Florida can lead to an arrest and a hearing in court. Penalties are substantially increased with blood alcohol content of 0.20 and over. Here is more information on DUI law in Florida.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Step 1:
In the Victim Awareness Program offered by the Florida Safety Council (see Resources below) two-hour sessions are an alternative to DUI courses and feature a panel of victims who have been affected by DUI in some way.

Step 2:
Learn about the penalty assessed on DUI offenders by the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles. Those convicted of a first-time DUI offense lose their license for six months and have a notation on their record for 75 years. More information about penalties is available through DUI.com (see Resources below).

Step 3:
Multiple DUI offenders in Florida must have an Ignition Interlock Device attached to their vehicle. This device is installed at the expense of the driver and prevents use of a vehicle with a driver whose breath registers a blood alcohol content (BAC) of 0.05 and over. Multiple DUI offenders may have this device for up to five months, depending on the severity of the offense.

Step 4:
Florida State Patrol officers have the right to do field sobriety tests, like breath tests, and judges can assess greater penalties for uncooperative drivers.

Step 5:
Municipal and state judges in Florida are required to offer counsel under the Sixth Amendment of the Constitution. Public defenders can help a litigant decrease their penalty or appeal decisions. To find an experienced criminal lawyer, see the Web site for the National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers (see Resources below).

Tips & Warnings

• You can appeal DUI judgements and tickets that seem excessive. Litigants in the United States are protected against cruel and unusual punishment, which includes excessive fines or prison sentences.
• For a first conviction, DUI offenders in Florida are required to do 50 hours of community service.