Second DUI in Florida

One of the most common questions after a second DUI arrest in Florida is whether the current DUI will be treated as a first or second DUI. The short answer is: “It depends”

In most cases, the judge and the prosecutor will rely on the defendant’s Florida driving record to determine if the defendant has a prior conviction for DUI. Other states will often report an out-of-state DUI conviction to Florida. If the out of state DUI has been reported to Florida, then it will show up on the Florida driving record.

So the first thing you should do is check your Florida driver’s license to see if the prior DUI shows up. Even if the prior DUI is not on your Florida driving record, the prosecutor might see it on your NCIC (National Crime Information Center) rap sheet.

Keep in mind that even if the judge or prosecutor do NOT know about the prior DUI conviction, the Florida DHSMV will still suspend or revoke your driver’s license based on the number of prior DUI’s showing on your Florida driving record.

Any prior DUI can be reported to the State of Florida at any time (even years later). If you go to the DHSMV to get a hardship, then they will ask you if any DUI convictions are missing from your driving record. If the DHSMV finds out about the prior DUI case, they might make efforts to get it added to your driving record.

The penalties for a second DUI in Florida depend on whether the prior DUI conviction occurred within five (5) years of the new arrest. The administrative suspension penalties for a second (2nd) depend on whether any prior offense shows up on your Florida driving record.

The harshest penalties apply to a second refusal to submit to DUI testing under Florida Statute § 316.1939, even if the first DUI charge was dropped, dismissed, or reduced in court.

Attorney for a Second DUI in Tampa, FL

If you have been arrested for DUI, and you have a prior DUI conviction, then you have come to the right place. The attorneys at Sammis Law Firm in Tampa, FL, are focused on fighting these cases throughout Hillsborough County.

Click here to read more about our Recent Case Results in DUI Cases.

The penalties for a second DUI are harsh, particularly if your DUI arrest occurred within five (5) years of a prior conviction. The most devastating aspect of this charge is the mandatory five (5) year revocation of your Florida driver’s license.

We can help you understand how the prior DUI arrest or conviction might impact your current case. We can explain the potential consequences that come with a Second DUI in Florida. Contact a Tampa DUI Attorney at the Sammis Law Firm to discuss ways to fight the charge.

Call 813-250-0500.


Second DUI Outside of Five (5) Years

If the DUI arrest is outside of five years from the prior DUI conviction, then the DUI will be generally treated the same as a first DUI as far as mandatory penalties required by Florida statutes except that the maximum jail time that can be imposed is nine (9) months, fines are between $1,000 to $2,000, and the ignition interlock device must be installed for one year.

No minimum jail time is required (although the prosecutor may ask for more than the minimum requirement to resolve the case short of trial).

The most serious consequence of a second DUI conviction is that the driver is not eligible for a hardship license after a second administrative suspension for refusing to submit, or after a second (2nd) conviction for DUI.


Second DUI Within Five (5) Years of Prior DUI Conviction

If your second DUI arrest occurred within five years of a prior DUI conviction, then the following statutory minimum requirements will be imposed in your case unless or until you avoid the DUI conviction:

  • Jail Time or Incarceration: At least 10 days incarceration (jail time) with at least 48 hours of consecutive jail time (the maximum jail time is nine (9) months unless the BAC was .15 or higher or a minor was in the vehicle, in which case the maximum incarceration is 12 months);
  • Probationary Term: Up to 12 months probation (with credit for any jail time imposed);
  • Fines: Between $1,000 and $2,000 (if the BAC is .15 or if a minor is in the vehicle then the fine imposed must be between $2,000 to $4,000);
  • Community Service: 50 hours;
  • Vehicle Impoundment: Unless the family of the defendant has no other transportation the vehicle impoundment or immobilization period is for thirty (30) days which can not occur until after the jail time has been served (exception may apply if vehicles operated solely by the employees of the defendant or any business owned by the defendant):
  • Driver License Revocation Period: Minimum 5 years revocation (may be eligible for hardship reinstatement after 1 year);
  • Business Purposes Only / Employment Purposes Only Reinstatement: No hardship license during first twelve (12) months, although the defendant may apply for hardship reinstatement hearing after one year if:
    1. DUI school is completed;
    2. the defendant remains in DUI supervision program for the remainder of the revocation period (missing treatment or counseling will result in cancellation of hardship driver’s license)
    3. the defendant has not consumed any alcoholic beverage or controlled substance or driven a motor vehicle for 12 months prior to reinstatement.
  • DUI School: Level Two DUI School includes substance abuse evaluation and requires completion of any recommended follow up treatment; and
  • Mandatory Ignition Interlock Device: At least twelve (12) months or twenty-four (24) months if the BAL is .15 or over.

What Happens to My Driver’s License if I’m Convicted of a Second DUI?

For a second (2nd) DUI conviction not within five (5) years of a prior conviction, the court will impose a revocation that will last for either 6 months or 12 months. During that time, you will not be eligible to obtain a hardship license. Instead, you must serve the full revocation period before requesting driver license reinstatement.

If you are convicted of a second (2nd) DUI that occurred within five (5) years of a prior conviction then the court will impose a five (5) year revocation. Even if the court doesn’t impose the five (5) year revocation, the DHSMV will add the five (5) year revocation once it discovers the second DUI conviction within 5 years.

You will not be allowed to drive for any reason during the first twelve (12) months of the revocation period and then you can apply for a hardship license. Before you apply for the hardship license, you must complete DUI School, and treatment, if referred. You must also have a favorable recommendation from the Special Supervision Services Program.

If you are approved to reinstate early for hardship purposes, you must present this approval to the driver license office. You must remain in the Special Supervision Services Program for the duration of the revocation period to retain your hardship license.

What if you wait until after the revocation period ends to reinstate your license? If you wait until the revocation period ends before trying to reinstate your license, then you must show proof of enrollment or completion of DUI School, and treatment, if referred.

Whether you are applying for a hardship license or a full license, at the time of reinstatement, you must take the required driving examination, and pay an Administrative fee and revocation reinstatement fee and any license fee required. You must also comply with he FR-44 requirements.


What Types of Crimes Count as a Prior DUI Conviction?

A conviction for any of the following offenses will count as a prior offense for purposes of sentencing:

  1. Driving Under the Influence (DUI) under Florida Statute Section 316.193, or former section 316.1931, 860.01 or 316.028;
  2. Boating Under the Influence (BUI) pursuant to Florida Statute Section 327.35; or
  3. A previous conviction outside of the State of Florida for:
    • driving under the influence (DUI);
    • driving with an unlawful blood-alcohol level;
    • driving with an unlawful breath-alcohol level;
    • driving while intoxicated (DWI); or
    • any other similar drug or alcohol-related traffic offense.

Additional Resources

Administrative Suspension for a Second DUI – Visit the website of the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles (DHSMV) to learn more about the administrative penalties for a second (2nd) DUI in Florida. Those penalties depend on whether you have a prior administrative suspension for DUI and whether the prior offense was after a refusal or DUBAL “per se” arrest.


Finding a Lawyer for a Second DUI in Hillsborough County, FL

If you have been arrested for a second DUI in Tampa, Hillsborough County, FL, contact an attorney at the Sammis Law Firm to discuss your defense to this serious accusation. Our attorneys are focused on DUI Defense.

What are the consequences of a second DUI in Florida? Contact us to learn more about the potential administrative suspension and court-ordered penalties after a conviction.

We can help you determine whether a prior DUI will be used against you for purposes of the administrative suspension or at sentencing on the new case. Contact us to find out more about what you need to do today to protect your driver’s license and criminal record.

Call 813-250-0500 for your free consultation either on the phone or in the office.

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Our Attorneys

Leslie M. Sammis

Leslie M. Sammis

Jason D. Sammis

Jason D. Sammis

Joshua L. Monteiro

Joshua L. Monteiro

Dominique Celerin

Dominique Celerin

Katherine A. Aranda

Katherine A. Aranda

Idalis Vento

Idalis Vento

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