DUI Penalties Serving Families Throughout Jacksonville For Over 25 Years

Florida's DUI Penalties

Put Approximately 100 Years of Combined Legal Experience On Your Side

If you are facing charges for a DUI in Jacksonville, it is in your best interests to speak with a lawyer from our firm at your earliest convenience. The penalties for even a first-time DUI can have an extremely damaging effect on one's life. It takes a skilled lawyer that has extensive experience defending DUI offenses to effectively protect your rights. In the United States, drunk driving is a serious crime with serious consequences. Although the specific penalties for a DUI conviction vary from state to state, one thing remains the same: DUI penalties are harsh.

One of the penalties you could face after a DUI conviction is higher insurance rates. While a law will not mandate an insurance company raise your insurance rates, insurance companies will do this on their own. The reason insurance companies do this is to protect themselves. Those who have had prior accidents on their record are seen as at a higher risk to be involved in an accident again. Insurance companies have to pay for your accidents, so if you are at a higher risk for accident then you will likely be charged more for insurance. If you do not hire a qualified attorney, you are far more likely to face harsh penalties such as:

First DUI Offense (Misdemeanor)

Up to six months in jail (up to nine months in special circumstances);
Fines ranging between $500 and $2000;
Six month driver's license suspension;
At least 50 hours of community service;
Up to a year of probation;
Mandatory counseling;
Level One DUI School;
Higher insurance rates;
Victim Impact Panel;
Minimum 10 day vehicle impoundment;
Possible deportation for Non-U.S. citizens; and
Six month ignition interlock device on your vehicle.

Second DUI Offense (Misdemeanor)

Up to nine months in jail (twelve months in special circumstances);
Fines ranging between $1000 and $2000;
Up to a five year driver's license suspension;
Up to a year of probation;
Mandatory counseling;
Level Two DUI School;
Community service;
Impoundment of vehicle;
Two year ignition interlock device installation;
Higher insurance rates; and
Possible deportation for non-U.S. citizens.

Probation

Your first DUI conviction is punishable by one year of probation. According to Florida Statute § 948.001, probation refers to a form of community supervision. It involves specific contact with parole and probation officers and may include other terms as well. Different offenses may merit different types of probation. For instance, you may be sentenced to drug offender probation if convicted of a drug crime. Unlike normal probation, drug offender probation involves intense supervision and individualized treatment programs.

Florida's IID Program

Florida has had the IID program since 2002 and it continues to be a common DUI penalty, according to the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles (DHSMV). If you are arrested for driving under the influence for the first time, then you may not have to participate in the IID program. This is up to the court's judgment.

Listed below are the following IID requirements by conviction type:

First Conviction with Child Passenger of .15+ BAC- Minimum 6 month IID
Second Conviction- Minimum 1 year IID
Second Conviction with Child Passenger of .15+ BAC- Minimum 2 year IID
Third Conviction- Minimum 2 year IID
Fourth or Subsequent DUI- Minimum 5 year IID

If you are required to submit to the IID program, then you will receive a new driver license with a "P" on it which indicates your IID restriction. Driving another vehicle without an IID with this type of license can be considered driving on a restricted license which can warrant additional penalties. If you are convicted for DUI, then the court that your case was handled in will make a report to the DHSMV. The DHSMV will then take the necessary actions to issue the restricted license and install the IID. According to the Florida DHSMV, the actual device costs about $12, installation costs $75, $72.50 per month to monitor and calibrate and $100 will be deposited and refunded upon completion of the program.

Community Service

In Florida, your first drunk driving conviction is punishable by community service. If convicted of a standard DUI, you may be charged with at least 50 hours of community service or a fine of $10 per hour of community service. This fine is implemented in addition to other fines associated with your conviction. Simply put, community service involves donating your time to the local community and is distinct form volunteering because it is a legal requirement – not a voluntary effort. Any number of activities may qualify, but all community service must be performed without compensation.

Continue Reading Read Less

Pick Porter™ Today!

Additional DUI offenses can bring felony charges. A felony DUI conviction could damage your future irreparably. In addition, if you are involved in an accident and allegedly intoxicated your need for high-quality legal representation becomes even more significant. Our firm has helped many clients to overcome these serious penalties and fought for their ability to continue driving. Having a conviction on your record can be severely damaging to your future.

Don't allow one mistake to alter your path in life. If you do not hire an experienced Jacksonville DUI attorney, you could be prosecuted to the fullest extent. Our DUI team has approximately 100 years of combined legal experience. In addition, we have a former Division Chief who supervised DUI prosecutions and a former DUI Hearing Officer from the Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles on our side.

For a case review, contact us online or call (904) 701-0591.

A Guided, Hands-On Approach
Step-by-Step Guidance for Any Legal Matter
A Compassionate Team
Your Story Matters - We're Here to Listen
Extensive Experience
Approximately 100 Years of Combined Legal Experience On Your Side
Award-Winning Counsel
Top-Rated Ethics & Legal Skill – AV Preeminent® Rating
Trusted & Recommended
Trusted by the Media & Recommended by Our Clients
Top-Rated Attorneys
Top-Rated Personal Injury, DUI, & Criminal Defense Lawyer

Hear From Our Happy Clients

Serving Jacksonville, FL Since 2004

"You couldn't find a better lawyer anywhere."
I haven't had a lot of legal problems in my life but enough to truly evaluate my attorneys. By far Jason Porter makes you feel like you are his only client. He knows the law and the legal loop holes. To boot he is a heck of a nice guy. You can trust him with your life. You feel that he loves his work and really cares about you. You couldn't find a better lawyer anywhere.

- Ed W.
"him and his team have WON EVERY CASE for me"
Best attorney in town him and his team have WON EVERY CASE for me. Jason and his team will fix whatever you may have gotten yourself into. Keep your MOUTH SHUT AND THEN CALL JASON PORTER. YOU WONT REGRET THAT I PROMISE.

- A.H.
"I was very impressed with Mr. Porter & his staff."
I was very impressed with Mr. Porter & his staff. They just appear to be winners and I would be proud to be affiliated with them.

- Dolores T.
"Excellent attorneys and staff"
My family has worked with Mr. Porter several times over the years. Each of our experiences were different but the outcome was the same. We all had extremely positive results. I have referred many friends and family to Mr. Porter for assistance, and I will continue to highly recommend the firm to anyone in need of legal services.

- Anonymous
"Thank you guys so much!!"
We had the absolute best experience working with Mr. Porter’s office. Our daughter was severely hurt last summer due to someone else’s negligence and we won our settlement! We were extremely happy with this law firm!!!!! Dani is also the best paralegal and she was wonderful to work with and very prompt with all my emails and questions I had! Thank you guys so much!!

- M.M.
"When I first spoke to Mr. Watson on the phone, I knew we would be in great hands!"
After our meeting in person, I was absolutely pleased in choosing The Porter Law Firm to represent my Deaf sister in her auto accident injury case!!! We look forward to working with Mr. Watson...who is a very, very kind, respectful, and informative Attorne

- S.N.
"The Best I Could Imagine!!!"
I used Jason Porters services after a bad roll over accident involving myself and my ALMOST 1 year old daughter when I lived in Jacksonville. Within 24 hours of contacting the office, I was seen by 2 physicians and my case was in full motion. My husband was deployed, and I was scared at first. However, Mr. Porter and his ENTIRE staff had me at immediate ease. I could email or call his assistant at any hour with any concern, and would have a response very quickly. I would highly recommend this office to anyone at any time. The compassion of the entire staff was more than I could have expected.

- Robyn S.
"Compassionate Caring and Honest"
I meet with Mr. Porter today, he was so helpful with my situation. He was kind and should true compassion for this situation. He gave me information I have not been able to get anywhere else and I have tried. He gave me hope that there is light at the end of this tunnel. I have a much better understanding of what I need to do and how to proceed with this situation. I am grateful that Mr. Porter gave me the time and attention that he did today. I would encourage anyone needing help in a criminal case, no matter how big or small go and see Mr. Porter, I can assure you that you will not be disappointed. Mr. Porter thank you for your time today and all of the information you provided me with, it is appreciated beyond belief.

- Rena P.

Read Reviews

Pick Porter!™ Today

A member of our team will be in touch shortly to confirm your contact details or address questions you may have.

*Motorcycle accident - $2,835,000
$1,502,500 Premises Liability - $1,502,500
Bodily Injury Claim
*Wrongful Death - $1,000,000
Settled *Estate of Fred Fedorka
Largest settlement ever against Volusia County.
*Medical Malpractice - $500,000

View All Results