Jacksonville DUI Arraignment Hearing Attorney
Don't Face Your Charges Alone - Call (904) 701-0591
In the state of Florida, all defendants facing DUI charges will typically have their arraignment hearing within one month of their arrest. This is a mandatory step in the criminal process. If you do not already have an attorney, during the arraignment, the court will ask whether or not you need the court to appoint one on your behalf.
During a typical arraignment hearing, the criminal court judge will do the following:
- Read the defendant his or her criminal charges
- Ask you, the defendant, how you plead – guilty, not guilty, or no contest
- Decide if the bail amount should be changed
- Announce any information about upcoming court proceedings
If you plead either “guilty” or “no contest,” you will be asked to sign a waiver before the court imposes a sentence. It is important to note that pleading “no contest” is different from “guilty,” however, both will have the same effect. Pleading “no contest” is simply stating that you do not admit guilt, but that you are facing overwhelming evidence and you do not think you can emerge victorious. Regardless, you will be sentenced. To guide you through this process, get in touch with a Jacksonville DUI arraignment hearing attorney from our firm.
Call Problems? Pick Porter!™ at (904) 701-0591 to begin discussing your legal options today.
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“Mr. Porter was kind, patient, smooth, showed full knowledge of the system and the judge and the best strategy to overcome the issue at hand. I was very nervous as it was my first time ever in court and he kept checking to make sure I was okay throughout ou”- Kimberly
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“The Porter Firm has to be Heaven sent! Jason literally saved the day. We switched to Jason from previous counsel and today I’m so happy, my heart is happy, and all is well again. Thank you Thank you Thank you!”- Former Client
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“Mr. Porter and his staff are very knowledgeable, respectful, trustworthy and courteous. They are definitely the best in Jacksonville Florida.”- Former Client
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“I have never required the assistance of an attorney, but when I was need, I was so happy that it was Mr. Porter. The care and attention that was provided by Mr. Porter and his team put me at ease during the entire process. The communication was top tier!”- Former Client
Meet Your Team
Over 100 Years of Combined Experience Handling Personal Injury, Criminal Defense, DUI, and Family Law Related Matters.
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Jason K.S. PorterFounding AttorneyRead BioJason K.S. Porter, Esquire, has earned an excellent reputation among clients and peers for his legal skills and dedication to his clients.
He has been awarded a 10.0 Superb Avvo Ratingin both personal injury and criminal defense. His high-quality professional service has been recognized by his peers with a Martindale-Hubbell® AV Preeminent® Rating.
These awards are testimony to his personal standard of excellence in the legal field. He has many devoted and grateful clients.
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Nicole M. CarlucciFamily Law AttorneyRead BioNicole Carlucci is an experienced and compassionate family law attorney who has practiced law and worked in legal education in Jacksonville for nearly thirty years. With a broad range of legal knowledge and experience, she focuses exclusively on family law.
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Jon LorimierMulti-Practice AttorneyRead BioMr. Lorimier has a wealth of knowledge in family law practice and is dedicated to achieving his client’s goals while simultaneously making navigating the legal process as easy as possible. Through Mr. Lorimier’s years practicing family law, he has assisted hundreds of clients with their most personal issues, balancing a firm grasp of the law and zealous advocacy with a desire to be compassionate and empathetic with his clients.
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Richard C. WatsonPersonal Injury AttorneyRead BioA lifelong resident of the Jacksonville area, Mr. Watson grew up in St. Augustine, Florida. After attending high school in Jacksonville, Mr. Watson attended Wofford College in Spartanburg, South Carolina. There, he obtained a Bachelor of Arts degree in Foreign Languages. Mr. Watson later attended Samford University’s Cumberland School of Law, where he received his Juris Doctorate in 1991.
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Jeanna FieldFamily Law AttorneyRead BioJeanna Field developed her interest in law after working as a Realtor in her early twenties, where she saw firsthand how important strong legal guidance can be in people’s lives. Although she initially pursued a degree in Aviation Computer Science, she realized her passion was not in programming but in helping individuals navigate meaningful life transitions.
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Jason K.S. Porter (ES)Abogado FundadorRead Bio
Jason KS Porter, abogado, se ha ganado una excelente reputación entre clientes y colegas por sus habilidades legales y su dedicación a sus clientes.
Ha recibido la máxima calificación (10.0) en Avvo tanto en lesiones personales como en defensa penal. Su servicio profesional de alta calidad ha sido reconocido por sus colegas con la calificación AV Preeminent® de Martindale-Hubbell®.
Estos premios son testimonio de su excelencia en el ámbito jurídico. Cuenta con numerosos clientes fieles y agradecidos.
Problems With the Florida Misdemeanor Court System
In 2011, the National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers (NACDL) published a study that looked into the misdemeanor court system in Florida. The publication titled “Three-Minute Justice: Haste and Waste in Florida’s Misdemeanor Courts” found that a harrowing 3 percent of all adults in the state pass through the courts on a yearly basis. They, however, are not always greeted with a just system. In fact, the study found that an overwhelming amount of adults resolved their case without legal counsel – a total of 70 percent of cases being resolved at arraignment.
In the study, these arraignments, which decided the future of defendants, were anything but comprehensive; in fact, many lasted shorter than three minutes (82 percent), with many defendants simply pleading guilty. The worst part? The study found that less than 50 percent of the cases where a defendant pleaded guilty involved a trial judge who directly informed the defendants of the rights that they were waiving – including their right to appeal.
Strong communities build a stronger future, and we're proud to invest in the city we call home. We give back because this is where we live, work, and raise our families. When you choose our firm, you get trusted legal counsel and you support a team that's committed to making a difference locally.
Serving the Jacksonville Community Since 2004
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A Guided, Hands-On Approach
Step-by-Step Guidance for Any Legal Matter
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A Compassionate Team
Your Story Matters – We’re Here to Listen
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Award-Winning Counsel
Top-Rated Ethics & Legal Skill – AV Preeminent® Rating
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Extensive Experience
Over 100 Years of Combined Legal Experience On Your Side
