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The legal consequences of a DUI conviction in Florida can include Jail, fines, license suspension and the revocation of driving privileges. As states have cracked down on drunk driving, legislators have found that there is much to gain by "piling it on" to the driver accused of DUI. Hardly a year goes by without legislators finding some new way to grab headlines by adding additional sanctions to DUI convictions. In the past ten years, most states have added the following terms as mandatory conditions of a DUI conviction:
- DUI School
- Victim Impact Panel
- Vehicle Ignition Interlock
- Community Service Work Hours.
Driving Under the Influence can be either a misdemeanor or felony, depending on the number of prior DUI convictions or the seriousness of the offense.
If you have ever been charged with a DUI, it is imperative that you retain an attorney as quickly as possible. YOU ONLY HAVE 10 DAYS TO CHALLENGE YOUR LICENSE SUSPENSION FOLLOWING AN ARREST FOR DUI.
| DUI Penalties |
1st DUI |
2nd DUI
(within 5 yrs.) |
3rd DUI (within 10 yrs. of 2nd) or Felony |
| Jail |
0-180 days
(>.20) 0 - 270 days |
10-180 days
(>.20) 10-270 days |
30 days - 5 yrs. |
| Fine |
$250 - $500
(>.20) $500 - $1000 |
$500 - $1000
(>.20) $1000 - $5000 |
$1000 - $5000
(>.20) $2000 - $5000 |
| License Suspension |
6 Months - 1 Year |
5 Years |
10 Years |
| Business Purposes License |
YES
After 30 Days |
Refusal -
90 Days |
1 Year
(after conviction) |
| Interlock |
If court ordered
(>.20) Up to 6 mos. |
At least 1 year
(>.20) At least 2 yrs. |
At least 2 years |
| Immobilization of Vehicle |
10 Days |
30 Days |
90 Days |
*A conviction for DUI - 4th Offense will result in a lifetime revocation of your driver’s license.
The above DUI sanctions all carry some cost, from a minimum cost for the VIP panel to up to $3,000 for the ignition interlock device. Add these to the fines, court costs and attorney fees, and you're talking about serious expenses. The unspoken costs of a DUI conviction can be less obvious yet much more burdensome. These unspoken costs include fines, court fees, civil suits, home monitoring, license reinstatement fees, increased insurance premiums, and treatment.
There are other consequences of a DUI conviction which involve more than mere money. If you are convicted, you may not be able to obtain life insurance at any price. In addition, many health insurance companies will "rate" you, charge you an extra premium, or deny you coverage.
The future undoubtedly holds even tougher sanctions for DUI convictions, including higher fines and costs, and mandatory jail in many states. If you are arrested for DUI, the additional cost of having an attorney who has specialized training may more than pay for itself, if it means fighting the charge and avoiding a conviction.
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