Have you been arrested for drunk driving in Orlando or the Central Florida area? A DUI conviction can change your life forever, which makes it imperative to fight back. Set yourself up for the best possible outcome by contacting the experienced Orlando DUI lawyers at the O’Mara Law Group.
The Mark O’Mara Law Firm was a wonderful place and outstanding. Mark was very helpful and always made time for me, answering all my questions. But my hero was Susan Staggs, who prepared all of my paperwork. She is a real magician who takes it seriously.
Under Florida state law, it’s illegal to operate a motor vehicle if you’re under the influence of drugs or alcohol. There are two ways you can be considered “under the influence”. Those ways include:
So, you don’t technically have to blow a .08 on a breathalyzer to be arrested, charged, or convicted for a DUI. Police can use evidence of an elevated BAC along with circumstantial evidence to make a DUI case against you. Evidence of impairment might include:
These things, considered together, may be sufficient for the state to prove that you were impaired while operating a motor vehicle in Orlando. Note that Florida has a separate statute for boating under the influence (BUI).
The penalties for a DUI will ultimately depend on how many convictions you’ve had and if there are any aggravating circumstances present (e.g., BAC at or above .15 percent or whether you had a child passenger in the vehicle).
A first DUI offense is a misdemeanor, punishable by:
If your BAC was .15 percent or higher, then you may also be required to have an Ignition Interlock Device (IID) installed on your vehicle for up to 6 months.
A second DUI is a misdemeanor. The penalties will depend on whether your charge occurs within 5 years of a prior. Within 5 years of a prior, a second DUI carries:
When not within 5 years of a prior, a second DUI carries:
You may also be required to complete a substance abuse evaluation and complete a treatment program.
If you have two prior DUI convictions, you can face a third-degree felony charge. Your third offense must have occurred within 10 years to be considered a DUI felony. When it’s considered a felony, a third DUI charge in Orlando is punishable by:
You’ll also be required to complete probation and community service.
Fourth offense DUIs and subsequent charges are typically third-degree felonies in the state of Florida. A felony DUI is punishable by:
A DUI conviction – whether a misdemeanor or a felony – will remain on your criminal record for 75 years. The penalties you face can change the course of your life forever. Hiring an experienced Orlando attorney is the best way to protect your future and limit the consequences you may experience.
At the O’Mara Law Group, we’ll carefully evaluate your DUI case and identify any potential defenses to the charges against you. We may be able to implement any one of the following strategies in your defense:
Our DUI attorneys will attack the state’s case at every turn, working to identify problems with your arrest and any evidence that may have been obtained. If we can get evidence dismissed or prove that the government infringed your rights in any way, a judge may have no choice but to dismiss your case. If prosecutors doubt their ability to win at trial, they might come to you with a favorable plea deal.
You have 10 days to challenge the automatic administrative suspension of your driver’s license. The state will begin to work on its criminal DUI case against you right away. The time to begin defending yourself is now.
Contact the O’Mara Law Group for help. Our Orlando DUI lawyers are ready to take on every aspect of your DUI case – including criminal charges and administrative penalties that can accompany an arrest. The legal team at our Orlando law office is standing by to take your call and provide the guidance you need right now.
