Will I Lose My Car After a DUI Charge in Florida?

handcuffs car keys and an alcohol

Keep in mind that Florida takes DUI charges very seriously. As a result, if you were charged, it is in your best interest to have a skilled criminal defense attorney on your side. You may lose your vehicle, face heavy fines, and even encounter jail time. Do not wait to give us a call today. Our experienced Pensacola DUI defense lawyer today.

Will my car get taken away after a DUI?

Keep in mind that in Florida, there is no required minimum jail sentence for most first-offense DUIs. Likewise, the maximum possible sentence depends on the circumstances of the case. However, the jail sentences break down include the following:

First-offense DUI:

  • Standard DUI: Up to 6 months
  • Blood-alcohol content of 0.15 percent or more: Up to 9 months
  • Having a passenger under 18 years old: Up to 9 months
  • Accident involving property damage or minor injuries: Up to
  • 1 year
  • Accident involving serious bodily harm: Up to 5 years

Second-offense DUI:

  • Standard DUI: Up to 9 months
  • Blood-alcohol content of 0.15 percent or more: Up to 1 year
  • Having a passenger under 18 years old: Up to 1 year
  • Accident involving property damage or minor injuries: Up to
  • 1 year
  • Accident involving serious bodily harm: Up to 5 years

Third-offense DUI:

  • Standard DUI: 30 days to 5 years
  • Blood alcohol content of 0.15 percent or more: Up to 5 years
  • Having a passenger under 18 years old: Up to 5 years
  • Accident involving property damage or minor injuries: Up to 5 years
  • Accident involving serious bodily harm: Up to 5 years

No matter how many of these offenses you have under your belt, you should reach out to an experienced Escambia County criminal defense lawyer to discuss your next steps and plan your defense.

Should I retain the services of an experienced DUI defense attorney?

With a dedicated criminal defense lawyer on your side, you may have several different defenses that can be used to minimize your consequences. To begin, it might mean that the police did not have probable cause to pull you over or subject you to sobriety tests, and as a result, anything they allegedly discovered might be deemed inadmissible. The equipment they used to choose your blood alcohol content could very well have been improperly calibrated or malfunctioning on the date of the incident. Your underlying medical conditions and the medications you use to treat them might be erroneously mistaken for inebriation. The strategy your legal representative uses will rely on your unique case. Do not go through this alone. We are on your side.

CONTACT OUR EXPERIENCED PENSACOLA FIRM

The Law Office of James M. Burns helps people through various legal issues, including those involving criminal law, family law, personal injury law, and will & probate law. Contact us today to schedule your initial consultation.