What is a DUI in Florida?
According to Florida law, you can be charged for DUI in Florida if:
- You are impaired by alcohol or drugs to the point that you lose your normal faculties.
- Blood or breath alcohol concentrations of 0.08 or more
Certain drivers are subject to specific thresholds.
- If their BAC is higher than 0.02%, drivers under 21 years old can be charged with DUI.
- Drivers of commercial vehicles who have BAC levels above 0.04% will be charged with DUI.
What are the Consequences of DUI in Florida?
The Florida DUI penalties chart shows that DUI offenders should expect severe punishment upon any offense for DUI based on factors like blood alcohol concentration levels, number of passengers in your car, and severity of injuries suffered in an incident. These penalties vary based on several variables, including blood alcohol content level, number of passengers present, and injuries suffered as a result.
Possible Penalties Include:
- Fines
- Prison time
- Vehicle Impoundment
- Monthly Reporting
- Community Service
- Installation of an ignition interlock for breath alcohol
Repeat Offenders Face Increased Penalties, Including:
- Prison sentences are extended
- Mandatory ignition interlock device installation
- Heavier fines
Our DUI lawyers at the Jenkins Law PL will help you navigate the complex issues of a DUI charge. If you have been charged with a DUI in Orlando, or anywhere else in Central Florida, contact us for skilled and dedicated representation.
DUI in Florida Penalty Chart
| Types of Offense | Fines | Jail Sentence | Probation | License Revocation | Vehicle Imprisonment | Ignition Interlock | Other Penalties |
| First Offense (BAC less than 0.15%) | $500 – $1,000 | You can use it for up to 6 months | For up to one year | 180 Days – 1 Year | 10 Days | No requirement (at the discretion of the court) | 50 hours of community service if ordered, evaluation and treatment for substance abuse.DUI school |
| First Offence (BAC >= 0.15 in the vehicle or minor) | $1,000 – $2,000 | Maximum 9 months | For up to one year | 180 Days – 1 Year | 10 Days | 6 Months (mandatory). | 50 hours of community service If ordered, evaluation and treatment for substance abuse.DUI school |
| Second Offense | $1,000 – $2,000 | 10 days – nine months | For up to one year | Minimum 5 Years | 30 Days | Minimum of 1 year (the court may extend). | If ordered, evaluation and treatment for substance abuse.DUI school |
| Second Offense: (BAC >= 0.15 in a vehicle or greater than that within 5 years) | $2,000 – $4,000 | 10 days – 12 Months | For up to one year | Minimum 5 Years | 30 Days | Minimum of 1 year (court can extend). | If ordered, evaluation and treatment for substance abuse.DUI school |
| Second Offense | $1,000 – $2,000 | Maximum 9 months | For up to one year | 180 Days – 1 Year | 10 Days | Minimum of 1 year (the court may extend). | If ordered, evaluation and treatment for substance abuse.DUI school |
| Second Offense: (BAC >= 0.15 in a vehicle or greater than 5 years) | $2,000 – $4,000 | You can get up to 12 months | For up to one year | 180 Days – 1 Year | 10 Days | Minimum of 1 year (court can extend). | If ordered, evaluation and treatment for substance abuse.DUI school |
| Third Offense | $2,000 – $5,000 | 30 days to 12 months (could also be charged with a felony). | For up to one year | Minimum 10 Years | 90-days-old | Minimum 2 Years | If ordered, evaluation and treatment for substance abuse.DUI school |
| Third Offense: (BAC >= 0.15 in a vehicle or greater than that within 10 years) | $4,000 – $5,000 | 30 days to 12 months (could also be charged with a felony). | For up to one year | Minimum 10 Years | 90-days-old | Minimum 2 Years | If ordered, evaluation and treatment for substance abuse.DUI school |
| Fourth Offense or More | $2,000 – $5,000 | One day to five years (third-degree felony). | Maximum 5 Years | Permanent revocation | 90-days-old | Minimum 5 Years | If ordered, evaluation and treatment for substance abuse.DUI school |
| Fourth or greater (BAC >= 0.15 in the vehicle or minor) | $2,000 – $5,000 | One day to five years (third-degree felony). | Maximum 5 Years | Permanent revocation | 90-days-old | Minimum 5 Years | If ordered, evaluation and treatment for substance abuse.DUI school |
Remember the following:
- If someone is killed or injured as a result of driving recklessly or other aggravating factors, the penalties will increase exponentially.
- The courts may add additional conditions to their rulings, such as requiring ignition interlocks that are longer or imposing stricter supervision.
- The fines and prison sentences listed are only a guideline. Actual sentencing can vary widely depending on the particulars of each case
Additional DUI Costs and Key Considerations
In Florida Statutes, DUI convictions are subject to administrative costs and penalties, in addition to the standard fines and prison sentences.
Included are:
- Surcharge of 5% on your Crime Compensation Trust Fund Fines
- A $225 or 60 assessment, depending on whether the offense is a misdemeanor or a felony
- Court costs up to your fine amount to fund drug and alcohol abuse programs ordered by the court
- A $135 court fee to support the Brain and Spinal Cord Injury Program Trust Fund and Florida’s criminal laboratory systems
- A $15 charge is allocated to the County Clerk and the County Alcohol and Other Drug Abuse Trust Fund
You must account for alternate transportation costs during the period that your license is suspended.
What a DUI Lawyer in Florida Can Do for You?
DUI charges can result in hefty fines and jail time. The consequences are long-lasting. A DUI conviction may result in license suspension. If you are convicted of a fourth DUI offense, you could lose your license permanently.
How Can Does Jenkins Law DUI Lawyer Do for You?
A skilled attorney at Jenkins Law PL makes all the difference. We carefully analyze your case and ensure that all paperwork is filed on time. We also provide strong representation in court to prevent your DUI from ruining your life. Our team is dedicated to securing case dismissals, reducing probation periods, or restoring your driving privileges as soon as possible.
Dismissal Opportunities
If the arresting officer failed to follow guidelines, your case could be dismissed. According to federal and state laws, an officer can only stop a car if they:
- You have probable cause to believe that you are guilty of a crime
- You had a reasonable suspicion that you had committed a traffic violation
Reducing Probation
We can also shorten the probation period. You may be able to benefit from a shorter probation term by negotiating to plead guilty to a charge of “wet reckless”, where DUI penalties are reduced to those for reckless driving.
“Jenkins Law PL can help you protect your rights if you’re facing DUI charges.”
Why Choose Jenkins Law PL as your DUI Lawyer in Florida?
Jenkins Law PL’s DUI attorneys provide customized legal support for those facing charges of drunk driving in Florida. Our team will carefully consider all aspects of an incident to formulate an individualized defense strategy tailored to you and meet all of your specific needs. They’ll work tirelessly in pursuit of hearings with the Florida Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles Department so they can restore your license as soon as possible and help get you back out on the road safely.
Experienced attorneys from our firm spare no effort when investigating a prosecutor’s case against you, find and interview witnesses who support your defense, file all paperwork accurately and on time, and ensure a proactive strategy to minimize its effects on life after receiving a DUI charge. Do you know your penalty for DUI in Florida? Call us now!
