Fort Lauderdale DUI Defense Attorney

Lawyer for Drunk Driving Charges in Fort Lauderdale, FL

An arrest for driving under the influence (DUI) can result in serious consequences that can affect your life in many ways. You could lose your driver's license, be required to pay thousands of dollars in fines, or even be sentenced to serve time in jail. You may also be required to complete probation, participate in substance abuse treatment, or use an ignition interlock device in your vehicle. Your ability to drive and maintain employment may be affected, and you could be left with a permanent criminal record.

At The Hoffman Firm, we defend clients against DUI charges in Fort Lauderdale. Our attorney can provide you with legal guidance from the moment you are arrested through the resolution of your case. Whether you are facing a first-time drunk driving charge or the possibility of a felony conviction, our lawyer will work to challenge the evidence, identify possible procedural errors, and advocate for the best possible outcome to your case. He will help you take steps to reduce the charges, avoid a conviction, or negotiate alternative penalties that will help you maintain a clean record.

Types of DUI Charges in Fort Lauderdale

You could be arrested and charged with DUI based on a police officer's belief that you were in control of a vehicle while under the influence of alcohol, controlled substances, or a combination of substances that impaired your ability to drive safely. In general, DUI charges may apply if a chemical test showed that you were driving with a blood alcohol concentration (BAC) of 0.08 percent or higher. However, DUI charges may also be based on other factors that indicated that you were intoxicated while driving.

Specific DUI charges may include:

• First-Time DUI: If you do not have any previous DUI convictions on your record, you will most likely face misdemeanor charges for allegations of drunk driving. Penalties of a conviction may include a fine between $500 and $1,000, up to six months in jail, and a license suspension for six months to one year.
• Multiple DUI Offenses: The penalties you may face for a DUI charge will increase if you have one or more previous convictions. While a second DUI is usually charged as a misdemeanor, a third or subsequent DUI will usually result in felony charges. The penalties in these cases may include longer license revocation periods, longer jail sentences, and higher fines.
• Felony DUI: While a third or subsequent DUI will be classified as a felony, there are some cases where felony charges may apply for a first or second DUI. If you are accused of injuring or killing someone due to drunk driving, you will most likely face felony charges. A felony conviction will typically result in a sentence of at least one year in prison.
• Commercial Driver DUI: People who operate large trucks and other commercial vehicles are subject to stricter rules. A BAC of 0.04 percent or higher while operating a commercial vehicle may result in DUI charges. If you are a commercial driver, you may face the disqualification of your commercial driving privileges, which could limit your opportunities for employment as a commercial driver in the future.
• Out-of-State DUI: If you have been arrested for DUI while visiting Florida or traveling through Fort Lauderdale, you may experience penalties that could affect your driver's license in your home state. Our attorney can provide legal help in these cases, working to resolve DUI charges without requiring you to return to Florida for legal proceedings.
• Underage DUI: Drivers who are under the age of 21 may face DUI if they have a BAC of 0.02 percent or higher. Penalties for underage drivers who are charged with DUI may include license suspension, fines, and substance abuse education. These charges could affect a young person's future employment or education opportunities, making a strong defense essential.

DUI Defense Strategies

Our lawyer will evaluate your case, identify weaknesses in the prosecution's evidence, and determine whether your rights have been violated. Depending on the circumstances, the defense strategies that may be available include:

• Challenging the Traffic Stop: If a police officer did not have reasonable suspicion to believe that a violation had occurred before initiating a traffic stop, any evidence obtained afterward may be inadmissible.
• Questioning Field Sobriety Tests: Tests performed by police officers during traffic stops may be improperly administered, and bias may influence the results. Medical conditions, nervousness, or environmental factors can lead to poor performance, causing you to "fail" a test even if you were not intoxicated.
• Disputing Breath or Blood Test Results: Breathalyzers and blood testing equipment must be properly calibrated, and tests must be administered by certified personnel. Our attorney can investigate whether the proper procedures were followed and whether the test results may be unreliable.
• Violations of Constitutional Rights: Our lawyer can address your unlawful detention, the failure of police to advise you of your rights, or coerced statements, taking steps to suppress evidence or have charges reduced.
• Reduction to Wet Reckless: Our attorney may negotiate to reduce a charge to reckless driving, helping you avoid a DUI conviction. This may reduce the potential penalties and ensure that you will be able to avoid the loss of your license.

Contact Our Fort Lauderdale, Florida DUI Defense Lawyer

If you have been charged with DUI, the penalties you are facing could affect your license, job, and freedom. The sooner you act, the more options may be available for your defense. At The Hoffman Firm, our lawyer can provide you with strong legal guidance, working to help you protect your record and avoid harsh consequences. Contact our Fort Lauderdale DUI attorney today by calling 954-524-4474 and arranging a free consultation.