Harsh Consequences of DUI Convictions in South Florida
Florida has some of the strictest DUI laws and penalties that result in some harsh consequences.
DUI offenses cannot be expunged in the Sunshine State, and if convicted, the charge will be on your permanent record for 75 years – virtually your entire life. There is a wide range of DUI penalties, and they depend on many things, including the number of DUI offenses committed.
A Florida judge may impose these DUI penalties, primarily depending on the number of DUI offenses you have committed because it dictates the maximum and minimum consequences of your conviction.
Let’s discuss the jail time, fines, and other harsh consequences you may face based on the number of your DUI convictions to give you a better idea.
Always remember to contact the Law Office of Patrick R. McKamey, any time of day, to consult the best DUI attorney in South Florida and plan your defense.
Harsh Consequences of DUI Convictions in South Florida
Here are the minimum and maximum consequences or penalties that apply to the first, second, third, and fourth offense DUI in Florida.
- First-Offense DUI
While it is possible to face no jail time, your license will get suspended for a minimum of 6 months and a maximum of 12 months. You will also be fined between 500 and 1,000 dollars.
On the harsher side of DUI penalties, you may face up to 6 months of jail time if you refuse a breath test, or if your BAC was below 0.15 and there was no car crash. If BAC is 0.15 or over, or you were driving with a minor, the jail time goes up to 9 months and fines go up to 2,000 dollars.
If you were in a DUI car crash, confinement can go up to 12 months. Being your first-offense DUI, a qualified South Florida DUI attorney, like Patrick R. McKamey, can be very beneficial for your DUI case.
- Second-Offense DUI
If your second DUI conviction is within 5 years of the first, you face a minimum of 10 days in jail, which can be substituted for a residential rehab program at your South Florida judge’s discretion. A minimum of 5 years of license suspension with the possibility of a hardship license after one year.
Fines range from 1,000 to 2,000 dollars
If your second DUI conviction is over five years after your first, and if you either refused a test or your BAC was below 0.15 and there was no crash, you face a maximum of nine months of jail time. There is no minimum jail time in this case, although, your license is suspended for a minimum of 6 months.
If either you had a BAC of 0.15 or more or else were driving with a minor, you face a maximum sentence of 12 months in jail and fines go up to 4,000 dollars.
An experienced DUI attorney in South Florida can greatly help you in reducing these fines and penalties.
- Third-Offense DUI
If your third DUI conviction is within 10 years of your previous two, you face a minimum of 30 days in jail, a minimum of 10 years of license suspension with eligibility for a hardship license after 2 years.
The fines range between 2,000 to 5,000 dollars.
If your third DUI conviction is over 10 years after your previous two, there is no minimum jail time but, a maximum of 12 months in jail. If there was a minor present, or your BAC was 0.15 or higher, fines are between 4,000 to 5,000 dollars.
- Fourth-Offense DUI
If you are convicted of a fourth DUI, previous offenses are not taken into consideration because this is a felony offense now. You will face a maximum jail time of 5 years in state prison and you will have a convicted felon status from here on.
Your license will be permanently revoked with no eligibility for a hardship license. The fines are no less than 2,000 dollars and can increase based on the circumstances.
DUI Attorney in South Florida
As mentioned, DUI offenses in Florida have harsh consequences in the form of penalties ranging from jail time to extensive fines. We have not mentioned the lighter consequences like, community service requirements, vehicle immobilizations, and ignition interlock systems, simply because they are not as harsh.
However, they are all part of DUI convictions in Florida.
A highly experienced and competent DUI attorney, like Patrick R. McKamey, is the professional you want on your side when facing a DUI conviction in South Florida.
Whether you are facing a first-offense or fourth-offense DUI conviction, the Law Office of Patrick R. McKamey is here to give you the best defense in all of South Florida.To learn more about the harsh consequences of DUI convictions in South Florida, or to get the best DUI attorney in South Florida for your defense, please visit our website today.