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

"The experience was just wonderful! We would recommend them 10 times over."
My fiancé and I were referred here by a friend. Our lawyer was Nicole Carlucci and paralegal was Danielle Castillo, they were beyond wonderful. Easy to communicate with, always gave us our options and never made us feel pressured. Our relationship with them was very personable and we always felt as if we were their only clients! We seeked their help with regards to child support and time sharing. The experience was just wonderful!!!!! We would recommend them 10 times over.

- Kizgel D.
"Franz Bastien I am speechless"
Franz Bastien I am speechless

- P.E.
"If you are in need of an attorney, you won't go wrong with Jason."
Jason is a fantastic attorney. He has been our attorney for years. He was highly recommended to me and I'm so glad he was. I can call him ANYTIME and he will talk with me. If you are in need of an attorney, you won't go wrong with Jason.

- Terrell H.
"This firm is head and shoulders above anyone."
I met Jason 13 years ago in a case I had. He wasn't my first choice of lawyer originally. Our original lawyer was unable to perform the task needed at the time. Jason took our case over and worked his magic in the courtroom. People, the is no substitute for a court case. This firm is head and shoulders above anyone. If you want to go generic with your cereal that's fine. You can buy Fruit Rings instead of Froot Loops. But when choosing an attorney and your life is on the line, go with this firm. You get what you pay for. And by Picking Porter, you get so much more. Since then my entire family has used this firm for random cases. All of which we have prevailed. Most recently, Chris Craun family law attorney has helped us win yet another case. His outstanding outlook and attention to the details and knowledge of the law was the difference. Chris comes from this same tree. They know people and the law. Do not mess up by acquiring sub-par representation. You should pick Porter before your counterpart does!!!

- Ken O.
"You really took years of stress off my shoulder and I can finally have clarity in my mind."
Over the past month or so I had made a call to the Law offices of Jason Porter because I needed to resolve an issue that occurred over 7 years ago. Once I explained the situation the secretary sent me directly to Jonathan Thacher. All I can say is that Thacher did an amazing job handling my case and I am extremely happy right now. I no longer have to worry about that problem ever again thanks to Thacher. The work was effective and everything went through perfectly. Thank you so much man you really took years of stress off my shoulder and I can finally have clarity in my mind.

- Joshua S.
"Jonathan made us feel comfortable and confident that he would work diligently on our behalf."
The purpose of this letter is to express our appreciation for Jonathan Thacher's legal services associated with our daughter's case. Jonathan was and is always available for questions. If we left a message, he would always get back to us in a prompt fashion. It isn't easy to find such a capable lawyer who seems to be in the right job. He is caring and very attentive to us. No questions went unanswered. Jonathan made us feel comfortable and confident that he would work diligently on our behalf. In the end, we felt blessed that we had the right person to help us when we felt lost. I can't tell you how important it is to choose the right lawyers for your case. He certainly lifted a weight off our shoulder to know that Jonathan and the firm's staff were working for us and a good conclusion to our problem.

- Edward & Sondra A.
"The best attorney out there by far!"
I was rear-ended in an auto accident when I was pregnant and Mr. Porter assured me he would take care of everything and he did. I was very pleased with the response and the time he put into my case and how quickly it was settled. The office staff is the best. They are very outgoing and kind and they are always friendly! If your looking for an amazing attorney look no further. I know that in the future if I will need an attorney I will not hesitate to use The Law Offices of Jason K. Porter. They will not let you down.

- Jessica Oyoque
"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.

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