May 4, 2018
Between Memorial Day and Labor Day, DUI related injuries often peak. DUI enforcement spikes during this period of time for various reasons—most college students are on summer break and more people are on the roads than usual. Not to mention, people typically drink more in the summer months than they do at other times of the year. Per National Highway Traffic Safety Administration analysis, Memorial Day is the most likely day for Americans to die in a car crash.
Preventing DUI Related Injuries
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has compiled a list of precautionary measures to avoid DUI related injuries:
- Actively enforce minimum legal drinking age laws
- Reducing the illegal BAC threshold
- Implement mandatory blood alcohol testing
- Creating more random sobriety checkpoints
- Having a designated driver when drinking with a group
- Wear your seatbelt
- If under the influence, get a cab or taxi
- Do not let a friend drive under the influence
- Try to stay off the roads around holidays
- Drive safe
What are the Possible Penalties you may Face for DUI?
DUI convictions are relatively harsh in the state of Florida. Here are some of the legal consequences you could be facing as a result of DUI conviction:
- Driver’s license suspension
- Driver’s license revocation
- Mandatory DUI Programs and fees
- Community service of no more than 50 hours
- Fines ranging from $500 to $5,000, depending on the number of DUIs on your record
- Probation for no longer than one year
- Jail time of no longer than nine months
- Impoundment of immobilization of your car
Can I Raise Any Defenses Against DUI Charges?
Defenses against DUI convictions include:
- Illegal stop – When the stop is not “random” or longer than necessary
- Necessity – Very rare, but it can apply in extreme conditions when trying to avoid greater harm
- Duress – Applies when you under some sort of pressure (such as you were forced to drive at gunpoint after drinking)
- Entrapment – Available when the police officer creates a situation that leads to drinking and driving
- Insufficient evidence – Includes sobriety exercises, blood test, urine sample, and breathalyzer results
When Do I Need to Consult an Attorney?
If you stand accused of drunk driving, speak to a lawyer as soon as you can. It is very common for DUI enforcement techniques to violate drivers’ rights, particularly when they occur during a special enforcement period. Often people are not aware their constitutional rights are being violated. If you are stopped or arrested for any charges associated with DUI, it is better to call an attorney right away so you do not say anything in front of the police that may help convict you.
Contact a Florida Criminal Defense Attorney Today to Schedule a Free Consultation
DUI arrests can stay on your record forever and can have a lasting impact on your life. In many instances, your DUI checkpoint or conviction may have violated your constitutional rights. The lawyers of the Khonsari Law Group are committed to representing the rights of criminal defendants and believe that everyone deserves a zealous defense. Call us today at
(727) 269-5300 for a free consultation or send us an email through our online contact form.