
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.
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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.
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Serving Jacksonville, FL Since 2004
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Very attentive to the needs of my case. This firm was prompt and on point with the affairs surrounding my case and paid attention to the special details. Overall, I received the results I was hoping for and expecting. Thank you guys for a job well done.- James M.
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My divorce litigated for close to two years as it was highly contentious and involved more complexities. Ms. Carlucci did a wonderful job of helping me understand and navigate the legal system. Ms. Carlucci set realistic expectations and was willing to listen to my concerns, questions, and thoughts. Divorce can be a very grueling and hard process. Ms. Carlucci provides great support and promotes collaboration with her clients.
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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.
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I have to go into detail here because there’s no way That I cannot give high praise for what Nicole Carlucci did for my daughter and I. I’ve learned the hardest way possible that men tend to be at a great disadvantage when dealing with a divorce and with custody problems. My ex-wife kidnapped our child and had every intention of destroying our bond and the great relationship we have. It’s the saddest thing in the world how some people take their own struggles and personal feelings out by using their children as pawns and manipulating to hurt others. Which is why I could not be happier and more grateful for the day I walked into Porter & Porter Law Firm. From day one, my story was heard, understood, and through a year and a half of what felt like full on war just so I could maintain my relationship with me daughter without us being ripped from each other’s lives, Nicole Carlucci supported me and used her expertise to get as close to the absolute best result possible. She never gave up or gave in and that helped me to stay strong, too, when there would be days or weeks my daughter and I would not see each other. If not for Nicole, I can only imagine how much more awful such a nightmare of a situation could have gotten. However, I am now divorced, continue to have an amazing relationship with my daughter, and have court orders to hold my ex responsible and accountable so that way certain things will hopefully never happen again, and if they do, I know who I am calling!! Nicole’s passion to help someone being taking advantage of and her drive to ensure justice be served when someone is manipulating the system is exactly what my daughter and I needed so we can live a happy life. Thank you Nicole and Firm!!- Robert B.
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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.
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My wife and I would like to thank Jason K.S Porter and his staff, I was accuse of a crime. From the initial consultation to the end of the case the Porter firm was there to answer all my questions. I was told what to expect, everything was accurate. Thanks to the Porter firm all charges was drop. I will always be grateful, I will recommend this excellent, hardworking law firm to anyone who has a criminal issue that needs to be resolve. Thank you so much.- S.W.
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It always baffled me how much both Jason and Gary knew about the intricacies of my case at any given time. These guys work for, and show up to court for, their CLIENTS - in other words, they're not cutting a bunch of deals to clear dockets. I will never go anywhere else for legal advice - these guys are the real deal.- Meagan V.
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Just wanted to say thank you to Attorney Carlucci and paralegal Ms. Rasulova. They were very kind and extremely knowledgeable AND patient. Hopefully I will not need an Attorney in the future, BUT if I do it will be Pick Porter.- M
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