In many ways, 'Driving Under the Influence' or 'DUI' is one of the most interesting, and sometimes frustrating, offenses for a criminal defense attorney. There are many reasons for this. First, DUI is one offense, perhaps more so than any other, which tends to cut across all societal lines. Our office has represented defendants in DUI cases who were still in high school as well as those who have long since retired. Whether young or old, man or woman, rich or poor, most of us know, or are related to someone, who has faced a DUI charge. It is probably for that reason that people, once they find out what we do for a living, inevitably ask us questions about DUIs more so than about any other kind of case. These people want to know everything from whether or not they should take the breathalyzer, and whether or not they should submit to the field sobriety exercises. The Orlando DUI defense attorneys at Dicembre & Nace routinely handle 'Driving Under the Influence' cases throughout Central Florida.
In the State of Florida, DUIs are further complicated because they are one of the few misdemeanor offenses for which the law requires the imposition of specific mandatory minimum penalties. This means a judge, when someone is convicted of 'Driving Under the Influence' whether by entry of plea or by jury verdict, must sentence that person to the penalties required by law and the Court has no discretion to lower or lessen the sentence even if it is the Defendant's first offense. If you are charged with DUI in Orlando, Central Florida or any other place in Florida, it is highly recommended that you have an experienced DUI Attorney on your side.
The above are simply the minimum penalties for first time DUI offenders in cases where no aggravating factors exist. If a defendant's breath test results are .150 or higher or if there was an accident, additional penalties, including the imposition of an 'Ignition Interlock Device' are required. Defendants who have had previous DUI convictions also face additional mandatory penalties and can even end up being charged in felony court.
In addition to the criminal penalties associated with DUI, someone accused of 'Driving Under the Influence' faces a license suspension from the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles (DHSMV), which is totally separate from the criminal case and must be contested within the first ten (10) days of the DUI arrest.
Because someone accused of 'Driving Under the Influence' has to deal with both the criminal court system and the DHSMV and because of the mandatory penalties involved, the Orlando criminal defense attorneys at Dicembre & Nace recommend that anyone charged with 'Driving Under the Influence' within the Central Florida area, contact an experienced Orlando DUI attorney.
How a DUI charge is resolved can have a significant and long term impact for you and your family. If you live in Orlando, Winter Park, Windermere or in any other place in Central Florida, and you have been charged with 'Driving Under the Influence', call the Orlando DUI Attorneys at Dicembre & Nace today for your free consultation. (407) 649-1999.
189 South Orange Avenue, Suite 1800 Orlando, FL 32801
Telephone: (407) 649-1999 Fax: (407) 649-1657
The information you obtain at this site is not, nor is it intended to be, legal advice. You should consult an attorney for advice regarding your individual situation. We invite you to contact us and welcome your calls, letters and electronic mail. Contacting us does not create an attorney-client relationship. Please do not send any confidential information to us until such time as an attorney-client relationship has been established.
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