Out of State DUI Offenders – What You Need to Know From a Top DUI Lawyer in Clearwater
Florida set an all-time record for tourism in 2019, with almost 69 million tourists visiting The Sunshine State in the first six months of the year. It’s no surprise given this sheer number of visitors that not all of them are aware they must adhere to Florida law from the moment they enter the state. Regardless of where you live in the country, violating Florida’s DUI laws could result in hefty fines, the suspension of your driving privileges, and possible imprisonment.
If you’re from out of state and are currently facing a DUI charge in Florida, it’s important to seek immediate legal assurance from the top DUI attorney in Clearwater to understand Florida’s DUI laws and possible penalties and preserve your driver’s license.
Penalties for Non-Resident DUIs in Florida
Violating Florida’s DUI laws while visiting or traveling through the state could result in the following consequences for a first-time DUI conviction:
- A fine ranging from $500 to $1000
- A sentence of up to six months in jail
- The suspension of your driver’s license for 6-12 months
- Ignition interlock devices installed on all of your owned vehicles
- The impoundment of your vehicle for up to 10 days
- Community service
- Substance abuse treatment program
Interstate Compacts and the National Driver Registry
A common misconception is that a driving-related offense that occurs in another state will not affect your driving privileges back home. With a DUI charge in the State of Florida, this couldn’t be further from the truth. For starters, Florida is a member of two interstate compacts for traffic violations — the Driver License Compact (DLC) and the Non-Resident Violators Compact (NRVC). Both of these compacts are agreements with the participating states to exchange information regarding traffic infractions committed by out-of-state drivers and to recognize penalties issued by other states, such as driver’s license suspensions.
If that wasn’t enough, a system known as The National Driver Registry (NDR) also provides each of its 45 member states with a method for honoring driver license suspensions issued by their sister states. As such, if you receive a Florida DUI arrest with an out-of-state license, you can rest assured knowing that your driver’s license suspension will be easily transmitted back to your home state. To dispute these charges and protect your privilege to drive in both Florida and your home state, you’ll want to consult the top DUI attorneys in Clearwater.
Act Fast To Resolve Your Out-of-State DUI With an Experienced Attorney
Time is of the essence in tackling your out-of-state DUI and protecting your privilege to drive. As soon as possible, you’ll want to schedule an initial consultation with the top DUI lawyer in Clearwater to understand the ramifications of the administrative driver’s license suspension and learn how you may be able to prevent the Florida DHSMV from directing your home state to suspend your privilege to drive. Because a Florida DUI charge poses a double threat to your driving privilege, it is all the more important to aggressively fight your case at the DHSMV level and in the criminal court system. We can perform the following actions to reduce the length of your potential driver’s license suspension or eliminate the suspension of your license altogether:
- Challenge the administrative suspension of your license within 10 days of your DUI arrest
- Seek a temporary driving permit that enables you to continue driving beyond the 10 days from the date of your arrest
- Handle your first court case in Florida for you, without the need for your personal appearance in the courtroom in most cases
- Provide you with a copy of the narrative police report, field sobriety supplements, and the videotape taken in your case
- Obtain, review, and forward the breath test report and maintenance records associated with the Intoxilyzer
- Conference with you over the phone or Zoom to discuss the best strategy for resolving your charge
- Negotiate a reduction of your DUI charge to a reckless driving offense
If you were charged with a DUI while visiting Florida, it’s imperative that you act quickly to secure the services of the top DUI lawyers in Clearwater. We offer free telephone consultations and will be more than happy to discuss your case by phone.
For a free consultation with the top DUI lawyer in Clearwater, please contact Russo, Pelletier & Sullivan today.
Disclaimer: The information contained in this article is for general educational information only. This information does not constitute legal advice, is not intended to constitute legal advice, nor should it be relied upon as legal advice for your specific factual pattern or situation.
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