Florida DUI Penalties

If you are convicted of a DUI in Florida, you face a number of penalties. Depending on the specifics of your case, your penalties may vary. It is vital that you consult a qualified DUI defense attorney that practices in the county of your arrest. If you are arrested in Destin, Niceville, or anywhere in Okaloosa County, consider hiring a local attorney that knows all the key players in your case-police, judges and local officials.

Fines for DUI Conviction

The range of fines for a DUI is wide. Beginning with $500 for a first time offense, the monetary fees go up to $4,000 or more for repeat DUI convictions. While it may be tempting to just pay the fine for your first offense, this is only the beginning of the penalties you could face if convicted with a DUI.

Imprisonment

If you are convicted for a DUI in Destin, or any of Okaloosa County, you may face imprisonment at the Okaloosa County Jail for a period of 6-12 months. This can be for first time offenders as well as repeat convictions. This is in addition to fines that may be placed on you. Don’t leave your freedom to the hands of a public defender that has too many cases to effectively defend you.

Probation

Even if you manage to avoid jail time from your particular judge, it is likely to be placed on probation for a period of time. In Florida, this can range from one day up to 5 years, at the courts discretion. Depending on the specifics of your case, you may be required to have an ignition interlock device installed.

Consider the cost of this device if installed for 5 years: over $4,500! These are the charges of such a device.

The cost (plus tax) to the convicted person for an ignition interlock device is:

• $12 Interlock fee
• $75 for installation
• $72.50 for monthly monitoring and calibration
• $100 refundable deposit or a $5 monthly insurance charge

You may also have to have your car impounded for a period of time, depending on how many DUI’s you have been convicted of. Beginning with a mandatory 10-day impoundment, it goes up from there, at the courts discretion. The fees keep piling up.

Counseling

You may also be required to attend alcohol or drug counseling as a condition of or substitution for your probation and/or jail sentence. These programs emphasize the rehabilitation from alcohol and drugs, and if you are convicted of a DUI, may be used instead of harsher sentencing. This is entirely dependent on the specifics of your case, and the quality of your defense. If you are granted entry into one of these programs and fail to complete it, other penalties may come into effect as punishment for your conviction.

License Suspension

If convicted of a DUI in Florida, you will face a suspension of your drivers license for 6 months. This is for first time offenders, and the suspension increases from there, leading to a permanent revocation for a 4th DUI conviction. DUI is taken very seriously in towns like Destin, and if convicted, Okaloosa courts will suspend your license unless certain conditions are met to prove hardship. Hiring an attorney to defend your case means getting the best possible deal if you are convicted, and the possibility of having charges completely dropped.

The Cost of a Qualified Criminal Defense Attorney

A conviction for DUI can be one of the most expensive penalties of your life. Weigh these costs with the cost of a qualified criminal trial attorney. While the short term cost of fighting a DUI may seem high, consider all of the expenses and penalties you may incur if you are convicted. There are numerous hidden costs to a DUI as well that are not covered here.

Sherry Ivey Jones practices criminal defense law in Destin, Niceville, Crestview and all of Okaloosa County. She routinely defends DUI cases in Escambia, Santa Rosa and Walton Counties as well. When faced with the penalties for a DUI in Florida, don’t leave anything to chance. Hire a qualified criminal defense attorney that knows the area, and knows the local courts. Contact Sherry today for a free consultation on your case.