DUI Penalties in Florida and How to Handle Them
The DUI laws in Florida aren’t quite as strict as they are in states like Arizona, Georgia, and Alaska. Florida DUI laws tend to fall somewhere in the middle of the pack when it comes to strictness.
But that doesn’t mean getting a DUI in Florida will be a walk in the park. Like most other states, Florida has put serious DUI consequences into place to deter people from driving under the influence of alcohol and/or drugs. As a result, you will face harsh Florida DUI penalties if you’re ever convicted of DUI.
This Florida DUI penalty chart that we’ve put together shows the potential penalties you may face if you’re ever arrested for DUI in the state. It’ll help show you why you should hire a Florida DUI lawyer immediately to handle your DUI case and hopefully help you avoid having to deal with the worst Florida DUI penalties possible.
Check out our Florida DUI penalty chart below.
Florida DUI Penalties
Florida DUI penalties depend on the number and timing of prior DUI convictions, the driver’s alcohol level, whether a person under 18 was in the vehicle, and whether the DUI caused property damage, injury, serious bodily injury, or death.
First DUI Conviction
A first DUI is generally punishable by:
- a $500 to $1,000 fine;
- up to six months in jail;
- probation, with the combined probation and incarceration period generally not exceeding one year;
- at least 50 hours of community service, subject to the statutory alternative;
- DUI school and substance-abuse evaluation;
- vehicle impoundment or immobilization for 10 days, subject to statutory exceptions; and
- driver’s license revocation for at least 180 days but no more than one year.
Second DUI Conviction
A second DUI is generally punishable by a $1,000 to $2,000 fine and up to nine months in jail. If the new offense occurs within five years after a prior DUI conviction, Florida law also requires at least 10 days in jail and a driver’s license revocation of at least five years.
Third DUI Conviction
A third DUI offense occurring within 10 years after a prior DUI conviction is a third-degree felony. Florida also requires at least 30 days in jail when the statutory timing requirements apply, and the driver’s license is generally revoked for at least 10 years.
If the third offense occurs more than 10 years after the prior DUI conviction, the statute provides different penalties, including a $2,000 to $5,000 fine and up to 12 months in jail.
Fourth or Subsequent DUI
A fourth or subsequent DUI is a third-degree felony regardless of when the prior convictions occurred. Florida law provides a minimum fine of $2,000, and a fourth DUI conviction results in permanent driver’s license revocation under §322.28.
BAC of .15 or Higher or Minor Passenger
Enhanced fines, jail exposure, and ignition-interlock requirements apply when the person has a blood- or breath-alcohol level of .15 or higher or is accompanied in the vehicle by a person under age 18.
DUI penalties can overlap with additional rules involving ignition interlock devices, vehicle impoundment, hardship driving privileges, serious bodily injury, and DUI manslaughter. The exact consequences should be determined from the specific conviction history and facts.
Call Us for More Details on This Florida DUI Penalty Chart
This Florida DUI penalty chart shows how seriously the state of Florida takes DUI convictions. It has put strict DUI consequences in place in an attempt to stop people from drinking and driving or driving while under the influence of drugs.
But as you’ve seen after looking at this Florida DUI penalty chart, at least some of the Florida DUI penalties vary quite a bit. For instance, you could end up in jail for anywhere from just over a week to a full year following a second DUI arrest and conviction.
With this in mind, you should hire a great Florida DUI lawyer to help you if you’re ever arrested for DUI. They can work to minimize your DUI consequences or potentially even get your DUI case dismissed completely.
Contact RHINO Lawyers to learn how our law firm can help you.
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