DUI Attorneys in St. Petersburg

Fight Back Against Strict Florida Traffic Laws

If you're arrested for DUI, the stakes are higher than ever before. The penalties for Driving Under the Influence (DUI) in Florida have increased significantly in the past few years due to revisions to Florida traffic laws.

If you are arrested and charged with DUI, there is no longer any doubt that the case will be aggressively prosecuted. If you are convicted, the penalties will be severe, so it's more important than ever to hire a DUI defense attorney experienced in defending DUI charges to defend your rights, help you avoid jail time, and keep your license.

Breathalyzer Tests Are Not Always Accurate

Breath and other field sobriety tests are unreliable in DUI cases. One important piece of evidence the prosecutor will use against you in a DUI charge is the Breath Test. If you submitted to one and know the results, be aware that the reading could have been inaccurate for a number of reasons.

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

Write down all the details you can remember about the night you were arrested for DUI. Even seemingly insignificant circumstances can play a major role in the outcome of your case.

Did the Police Have Cause to Pull You Over?

Even if failed a field sobriety test, the police have to prove that they had probable cause to pull you over in the first place. If you were driving carefully and under the speed limit but were still pulled over, there is a chance your 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.