South Florida D.U.I. Defense Attorney Lawrence B. Wolk Can Help You Negotiate Sentences Following a D.U.I. Conviction
Driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs can significantly impair your judgment and increase the likelihood of being involved in a serious or even deadly traffic accident. Because of this, sentences for D.U.I. convictions are significant and can impact the rest of your life. All levels of D.U.I. convictions can result in fines, loss of driving privileges, D.U.I. school, immobilization of your vehicle, engine interlock, restitution, community service and even jail time and in some cases prison sentences. That's why hiring an attorney who specializes in DUI defense, such as the Law Offices of Lawrence B. Wolk & Associates is vital and would be a good investment into the your future. While Lawrence B. Wolk & Associates can free you of many of the penalties or have you found NOT GUILTY by a jury of your peers, should you face a conviction, they can work to make the details of your sentence something you can live with, particularly if this is the first time you've been arrested for drunk driving in South Florida.
Florida drunk driving laws dictate a range of sentences, depending on number of times you've been convicted of D.U.I.
- First Conviction – The first time you are convicted of a D.U.I., you'll pay a fine between $500 and $2,000, depending in part on your blood alcohol level. You will be placed on probation for a period of six(6) months all the way to twelve (12) months. You will have to complete a mandatory 50 hours of community service, your driver license will be suspended for a minimum of six (6) months upto twelve (12) months. You will have to complete a Level One D.U.I. school and any follow-up treatment. Your car will be impounded for 10 days, unless your family has no other means of transportation. You may have to intall an engine interlock system into your vehicle prior to reinstatement of your license. And lastly on a first offense D.U.I. conviction you can be sentenced upto 180 days in the county jail, if there is no accident involved.
- Second Conviction – A second D.U.I. conviction leads to stiffer penalties than a first conviction. Fines range from $1,000 to $4,000, depending on blood alcohol levels. You can go to jail for up to nine months or 12 months for higher blood alcohol levels. If the second conviction falls within five years of the first, you'll go to jail for a mandatory minimum of 10 days and your car will be impounded for 30 days. If your second conviction comes within five years of the first conviction your driver's license will be revoked for a minimum of five (5) years (if more than five (5)years since the first conviction, license will be revoked for 180-365 days). You will be required to install the engine interlock system and be required to take the Level 2 D.U.I. school and aftercare.
- Third Conviction – Third convictions, especially those within 10 years of previous conditions, you'll be headed to jail for a minimum of 30 days and have your car impounded for 90 days. Fines are between $2,000 and $5,000. Your driver's license will be revoked for 10 years, and when the conviction comes within 10 years of previous DUI convictions, the crime is considered a felony punishable by upto five (5) years in Florida State Prison.
- Fourth or More Conviction – You'll be labeled as a habitual/violent offender and be sent to prison for up to five (5) years, as well as pay a minimum of $2,000 in fines. A fourth D.U.I. conviction also means that your privilege to drive here in the State of Florida is permanently revoked and you have no opportunity to apply for a hardship reinstatement until after five (5) years has elapsed since your release from incarceration. You will also be classified as a convicted felon by the State of Florida.
These sentences are all for simple DUI convictions. Other circumstances, such as serious injury or death of another while driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol will result in stiffer penalties. Commercial drivers are also held to higher standards and face more serious sentences than non-commercial drivers. Perhaps there's no important time than at sentencing to have an experienced, aggressive D.U.I. defense attorney like the Law Offices of Lawrence B. Wolk & Associates in your corner.
Call 888-965-5529 today to schedule a free initial evaluation of your case.
