In Florida, driving with a blood-alcohol level of .08% or above, which can likely be reached with as few as four drinks, is illegal. It is also illegal to drive under the influence of illicit drugs and other intoxicating substances, such as prescription drugs if these substances impair your normal faculties.
Perhaps you have recently made a decision to drive after one or more drinks, believing it was an expedient choice and not a significant danger to yourself or others. However, that unfortunate decision now places you at a crossroads where your future plans are severely threatened by a DUI charge that you did not foresee when you were living in the moment. As much as you may wish you could shrug this off, you need help to prevent this predicament from defining your life.
Typically, a first-time DUI offense is a misdemeanor. However, there are situations where a DUI could be upgraded to a felony. In these instances, working with an experienced local attorney is of paramount importance.
A local felony DUI lawyer can review your case and evaluate your unique circumstances according to the laws of the city of Fort Lauderdale and the state of Florida. The potential penalties can be severe, but our team at The Law Offices of R. David Williams, P.A., will work tirelessly to fight for your legal rights.
Florida law defines a DUI as a felony charge if any of the following conditions are met:
Regardless of your circumstances, call our Fort Lauderdale felony DUI lawyer to schedule a free consultation.
Being charged with a DUI is always a serious matter. Even a first-time offense can lead to fines of up to $1,000. You could lose your license for six months to a year and even spend up to six months in jail. You will have mandatory probation and a 10-day vehicle impoundment.
If you face felony DUI charges, the penalties are naturally more severe. A third offense is a third-degree felony and can lead to imprisonment for up to five years, as well as up to $5,000 in fines. When an accident that occurred in connection with DUI leads to another person’s death, you could face a DUI manslaughter charge. Such a conviction is a second-degree felony and can carry up to a 15-year prison term and a $10,000 fine.
A DUI manslaughter charge can be an aggravated offense in the event of a hit-and-run accident. If someone dies because of your DUI and you leave the scene, you could face up to 30 years behind bars.
A quick series of unfortunate decisions can lead to the deaths of others, shattering the lives of their surviving family members and leaving your future options severely restrained. While you may be overwhelmed by this experience, our experienced felony DUI lawyer at The Law Offices of R. David Williams has dealt with this situation many times before. We can guide you through this troubling time, assessing your options and constructing a strategy to limit your penalties and pursue your interests.
Under Florida law, if you are arrested for a DUI, you must consent to a chemical test of your blood, breath, or urine. This test is designed to determine the percentage of drugs or alcohol in your system. An officer may administer such a test if they have probable cause to believe you are under the influence of alcohol. Your attorney will be able to assess whether the officer had probable cause at the time of testing.
If you refuse the testing, you are subject to a one-year revocation of your driver’s license. If you have a second instance of refusal, you could lose your license for up to 18 months, and you may face a $1,000 fine and up to a one-year jail sentence. This refusal alone can constitute a first-degree misdemeanor. Your refusal may also be used against you in your trial to show a “consciousness of guilt.”
Whether you have refused a breath test or taken one and tested at an illegal intoxication level will be details that are important for building a defense in your unique case. Your Fort Lauderdale felony DUI lawyer is eager to discuss your case. Call today to schedule a free consultation and learn more about your legal options.
Call (954) 522-9997 or fill out the short form below. We will usually respond within 1 business day but often do so the same day. Don’t hesitate, your questions are welcome.
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Without a Fort Lauderdale felony DUI attorney as your advocate, you likely won’t be able to build a strong legal defense. We are experienced and skilled in defending these types of cases. Fortunately, there may be actions we can take to minimize potential penalties.
We will evaluate the factors that the arresting officer used to arrest you for DUI. For example, breathalyzer tests can be unreliable, and some officers are not sufficiently trained to administer them properly.
Also, walk and turn tests can be inaccurate and do not account for uneven terrain, the effects of prescription drugs, or some unique characteristics or disabilities the arrested person may have.
These can all lead to a false positive of intoxication. When you work with The Law Offices of R. David Williams, your experienced felony DUI attorney can leverage these factors in your case.
The effects of a felony DUI charge or conviction can impact the rest of your life. However, you may be able to limit that impact with the correct legal representation, and we can start by seeking to limit or avoid fines and jail time.
At The Law Offices of R. David Williams, we are intimately familiar with the laws that govern Florida DUI charges. With our Fort Lauderdale felony DUI lawyer on your side, the odds of a favorable outcome are significantly increased.
Call us today for a free consultation, so we can take the first step toward building an effective defense strategy.
Our core principles have always been a paramount attraction to our clients.
“Not gonna lie. I was scared at first – of course w anything w laws it’s very scary. But David was very professional , honest and true to his word. I felt so much better and confident that he was definitely gonna help me. And he did !! I’m truly grateful for him and his staff- his assistant Jessica is very warm and kind and is always on top of everything. Thank you guys so much!”
Most importantly, David Williams makes it a priority to give you personalized service and attention with regard to your criminal case. Call our office at your convenience for a free consultation. We will schedule a personal consultation at your convenience with the attorney to discuss the strengths and weaknesses of your criminal case in Dade, Broward, or Palm Beach County. David Williams will provide you with the defense and counseling that is required to have a successful outcome for your criminal case.
David Williams prides himself on providing personal attention with regard to all aspects of your criminal or traffic matter. David Williams will provide you with a fair fee for the work required and will extend a payment plan that is suitable to your needs for your criminal matter.
Call (954) 522-9997 or fill out the short form below. We will usually respond within 1 business day but often do so the same day. Don’t hesitate, your questions are welcome.
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