
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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If you're reading this then it is not too late!! I too spent countless time searching for the right law firm for me personally and let me tell you that Jason Porter and associates have to be the best around town!! They will work with you and fight for you. If you have any problems, Pick PORTER. I promise you won't regret it!!!- Boss N.
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Jason and Gary have been a tremendous help and provided relief in a time of worry for my family. They kept us informed and went above and beyond for us! I will recommend this firm to everyone!- Anonymous
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Attentive, patient and caring service by skilled attorneys. Richard Watson and Jason Porter are absolutely first-rate!- Melanie M.
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First off let me say how much I love this law firm!!! My boyfriend was referred by a friend and I'm glad we listened! This was the first time we ever needed a lawyer and Richard Watson was INCREDIBLE! He knows his stuff and he doesn't settle for anything less than what we deserved! We loved talking to Bonnie when we called she was always so cheerful and helpful! I recommend YOU to choose this office!!!!!! I promise you won't be disappointed !!!! I will definitely be using them again if I ever need to!- Sara B.
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I have had several cases with Mr. Porter as my attorney. He went to bat for me and fought hard to get a great outcome every time! He is a top-notch attorney in Jacksonville and very professional & honest when dealing with each scenario of my cases. My life is in a much better place today because of Jason's integrity within the community and relationships with the judges & state attorneys.- Josh C.
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One night I was awaken by a phone call that my son was in jail, I thought I was having a nightmare. I knew the charges were false but knew we faced a difficult road ahead to prove his innocence. The charges against him could have been enough to have caused him to lose his children, as well as his job and ruin any further career opportunities. He could have served time and had a felony on his record. . We were so lucky to find the law offices of Jason Porter. They came highly recommended and were rated high on the AVVO site. We were scheduled for an appointment the day we called and greeted openly but candidly with the facts of what could happen. He already had the police report and had a pretty good picture of what happen before we even opened our mouth. Jason put us at ease and explained how things would work and assured my son he would do his best to protect him and his good name and to get the charges dropped or reduced to the minimum he assured him he would not make him settle for something he did not do. He was not afraid to take it to trail if that’s what needed to happen. We felt good after hearing his trial record. Gary Shumard also in the office was involved in the day to day dealing of the court appearances and trying to keep it out of trial. He spoke for my son and there were several court appearances. My son was able to work and carry on his normal day because of Gary. During the six month process my son only had to attend one court appearance and that was only because the other side tried again to file additional fraudulent charges against him however, they were immediately dismissed thanks to Gary. In the end they wanted to drop the charges to a misdemeanor; but my son didn’t want anything on his record because he was not guilty! Gary had reviewed their evidence and my son’s evidence and in the end, after six months Gary was able to keep my son’s a record clean. Gary fought hard, gathering evidence and challenging the opposing side with professionalism and knowledge. I feel sure that due to his expertise we were able to avoid a long drawn out trail and more legal expenses. Gary works hard and is at the court house it seems almost every day working for his clients, he is a dedicated attorney with knowledge, and proficiency in handling the law he gathers evidence astutely and reviews both sides he has the ability to present his findings in a very comfortable but clever way. The day the findings came down I think he was almost as happy as we were. He had a right to be it’s like climbing a mountain and getting to the top you know you deserve the view. This law office is wonderful from the secretary who answers the phone, the legal assistants, and everyone in between. We trust this law firm and believe in them with any legal matter they we may have ever!! Richard & Diane Bornstein- Diane and Richard
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me & my family were a little scared at first but Mr. Porter took care of us and got my case thrown out with no probation or jail time definitely recommend Mr. Porter- R.M.
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Jon Lorimier is an amazing and knowledgeable lawyer. He helped me out. Highly recommend.- Cynthia J.
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