DUI Lawyer in St. Petersburg, FL

Experienced DUI Defense in Pinellas County, FL

If you are under arrest for DUI in St. Petersburg, FL, the stakes are higher than ever before. The criminal charges for Driving Under the Influence (DUI) in Florida have increased significantly due to revisions to Florida traffic laws in the past few years. These criminal charges and their penalties can have long-term effects on your future. Protect yourself from these consequences by contacting a St. Petersburg DUI lawyer.

If you are arrested and charged with DUI, there is no doubt that the criminal case will be aggressively prosecuted. The charges will be severe if you are convicted, so it's more important than ever to hire a DUI defense attorney. Our experienced criminal defense team has successfully handled many DUI cases and helped restore the futures and lives of our clients. Our defense lawyers understand the prosecution approach, making our DUI defense strong and difficult to beat. So trust our St. Petersburg DUI lawyers to fight for you.

Understanding DUI Penalties in Florida

The state of Florida has notoriously strict DUI penalties. Three significant factors can affect the DUI sentence issued if convicted. These factors include if the driver's BAC was above .08, if the driver's BAC was above .15 and if a minor was in the vehicle at your arrest. While several more factors can affect the severity of the penalties associated with a DUI conviction, common penalties in St. Petersburg include the following:

First Offense DUI in Florida

• Up to 6-months of jail time
• Up to 1-year of probation
• Up to $1,000 in fines
• Minimum 50-hours of community service
• License suspension for a minimum of 6-months
• Mandatory 10-day vehicle impoundment

Second Offense DUI in Florida

• Up to 9-months of jail time (minimum 10 days)
• Up to 1-year of probation
• Up to $2,000 in fines
• License suspension for up to 5-years
• Mandatory Ignition Interlock Device
• Mandatory 10-day vehicle impoundment
• Completion of DUI school

Third Offense DUI in Florida (within 10 years)

• Felony charges
• Up to 5-years of jail time (minimum 30 days)
• Up to 5-years of probation
• Up to $5,000 in fines
• License suspension for up to 10-years
• Mandatory Ignition Interlock Device
• Mandatory 90-day vehicle impoundment
• Completion of DUI school

Why Breathalyzer Tests Can Be Misleading

Breath and other field sobriety tests are unreliable in DUI cases. However, the Breath Test is crucial evidence the prosecutor will use against you in a DUI charge. If you submitted one and know the results, be aware that the reading could have been inaccurate. Write down all the details you remember about the night you were arrested for DUI. Even seemingly insignificant circumstances can play a significant role in the outcome of your criminal case.

Factors That Can Impact Field Sobriety Test Results

Some factors that can affect the results of a field sobriety test

• Low batteries in breathalyzers
• The officer made an error when administering the test.
• Chemical tests can detect alcohol from mouthwash and other sources of alcohol that don’t cause inebriation
• Medical conditions such as GERD, heartburn, and acid reflux can create mouth alcohol that interferes with breath tests
• Recent dental work can leave traces of alcohol in the mouth
• Certain diets, such as the Atkins diet and diabetes diets, can trick breath tests
• Breathalyzers can be affected by external factors like paint fumes and other chemicals

Protect Your Driving Privileges in St. Petersburg

Being charged with a DUI in Florida can have serious consequences, including the suspension of your driver's license. At The Fleming Law Group, P.A., our experienced St. Petersburg DUI attorney understands the importance of your driving privileges and will fight to protect them.

Here are some ways our DUI defense team can help:

• Challenging the arrest: Our attorneys will thoroughly review the circumstances of your arrest to identify any potential violations of your rights or procedural errors that could lead to a dismissal of your charges.
• Negotiating a plea bargain: In some cases, it may be possible to negotiate a plea bargain that reduces the severity of your charges or penalties. Our skilled negotiators will work to achieve the best possible outcome for your case.
• Defending your case in court: If your case goes to trial, our experienced trial attorneys will present a strong defense on your behalf. We will challenge the prosecution's evidence and arguments to create reasonable doubt in the minds of the jury.
• Seeking alternative sentencing options: Depending on the circumstances of your case, we may be able to explore alternative sentencing options, such as attending alcohol education programs or completing community service, in lieu of jail time.

Don't let a DUI charge jeopardize your driving privileges. Contact our St. Petersburg DUI attorney today to schedule a consultation and discuss your options for a strong defense.

Get in Touch with Our St. Petersburg DUI Attorney

Even if you failed a field sobriety test, the St Petersburg police have to prove that they had probable cause to pull you over in the first place. If you drove carefully and were under the speed limit but were still pulled over, your DUI case could be thrown out. The officer must have observed some behavior that led them to believe you were under the influence to pull you over for DUI. Additionally, they must have read you your Miranda Rights ("You have the right to remain silent, etc.) once they arrested you. 

If you've been charged with a DUI in Florida, contact our DUI defense lawyer in St. Petersburg today!