First DUI Lawyer Tampa Florida

Many of our clients have never been arrested before in their life. For a person with no criminal record, being arrested for DUI is a shocking, embarrassing, and stressful experience. And once they get home from jail an entirely different stress begins - finding the best DUI Attorney in Tampa, Florida, for their particular case.

The stakes are high because a DUI conviction will be a permanent mark on your criminal record which can never be sealed or expunged. Additionally, a DUI conviction will cause a dramatic increase in your car insurance premiums as well as other expensive indirect consequences that can last a lifetime.

At the Sammis Law Firm our Tampa DUI Attorneys focus on fighting DUI cases in Tampa, FL. We have provided the information listed below to explain to you the possible punishments you might face after an arrest for a first DUI in Hillsborough County, Florida.

After a DUI arrest in Tampa or HIllsborough County, FL, you have two cases pending against you.

• Civil Case - The first case is the civil case with the DMV in which they are trying to administratively suspend your driver's license immediately after your arrest.
• Criminal Case - The second case for the criminal accusation is also pending against you in County Court for the Thirteenth Judicial Circuit in Tampa, HIllsborough County, FL.

The Administrative Suspension in the Civil Case After a First DUI Arrest

After the arrest, the officer will seize your driver's license and give you a 10 day driving permit. If you do nothing, your driver's license will be suspended for the following time period depending on whether you took the breath test or not:

•  Breath Test: If you took the breath test and blew over a .08, then your Florida driver’s license will be suspended for six (6) months with a thirty (30) day hard suspension; and
• Refusal: If you refused to take the breath or urine test, then your Florida driver’s license will be suspended for twelve (12) months with a ninety (90) day hard suspension.

You can fight this administrative suspension by hiring an attorney to request a formal review hearing. The request for the hearing will entitle you to a 45 day driving permit so that you can continue driving while your attorney fights the suspension.

If you win the hearing, your driver's license is returned to you along with your privilege to drive. If you lose the hearing, then your hard suspension period will begin once your 45 day driving permit expires. Find out more about why it is always in your best interest to fight the administrative suspension of your driver's license - Tampa DUI Administrative Suspension.

The Penalties in the Criminal Case for a First DUI

Listed below are the First DUI minimum statutory requirements that must be imposed by the Court unless you avoid the first DUI conviction:

• Jail Time or Incarceration: Up to six (6) months in the Hillsborough County Jail (if the BAL is .15 or higher or a minor was in the vehicle then the jail time is up to nine (9) months);
• Term of Probation: Up to twelve (12) months (however the total period of probation and incarceration may not exceed 12 months);
  
• Community Service: Mandatory 50 hours of community service (but the court may allow you to buy out a portion of the community service hours at a rate of $10 per hour);
• Fine: The required fine for a first DUI in Florida is between $500 and $1,000 (with a BAL of .15 or higher or minor in the vehicle: Not less than $1,000, or more than $2,000. Court may grant community service in lieu of DUI fines if defendant is unable to pay);
• Driver License Revocation Period: Minimum of six (6) months and maximum of twelve (12) months;
• Business Purposes Only or Employment Purposes Only Reinstatements: Requires driver complete DUI school and apply to department for hearing for possible hardship reinstatement;
• Vehicle impoundment or immobilization: Unless the family of the defendant has no other transportation the Court must impose 10 days of vehicle immobilization which cannot be served at the same time as the jail term (exception for vehicles operated solely by the employees of the defendant or any business owned by the defendant);
• DUI School: Level I twelve (12) hour class which includes a substance abuse evaluation and requires completion of any recommended follow up treatment before any hardship reinstatement (if reinstated after revocation period expires, failure to complete DUI school within 90 days after reinstatement will result in license cancellation); and
• Ignition Interlock Device: Not required unless Court ordered (except Court is required to order the ignition interlock device for six (6) months if the BAC was .15 or higher or a minor was in the vehicle).

If you have been arrested for a First DUI in Hillsborough County, FL, contact a Tampa DUI Attorney at the Sammis Law Firm to discuss the particular facts and circumstances of your case.

Reinstating Your Driving Privilege After a First DUI Conviction in Florida

At the time you apply for reinstatement of your privilege to drive for either a regular reinstatement or a hardship license you must show proof of liability coverage or FR-44 insurance, pay an administrative fee of $115, a reinstatement fee of $60, and a driver's license fee.

Contact Us Today

If you have been arrested for a first DUI in Tampa, Hillsborough County, FL, contact an experienced Tampa DUI Lawyer today to discuss your case. Call 813-250-0500 to speak with an attorney today.