When you’re on vacation, it’s only natural to want to kick back and have a few drinks to relax. Unfortunately, even on vacation, you might find yourself facing DUI charges. Nothing ruins a great vacation like an arrest, especially for a DUI. This can become an even more complicated process if you’re visiting from out of state. You may need to appear in court or serve a sentence locally if convicted, creating an even more frustrating scenario for you and your family.

In this brief article, our best DUI attorney in Clearwater with Russo, Pelletier & Sullivan shares a few things you might need to know if you are charged with a DUI while visiting Clearwater, Florida on vacation.

During and Right After the Arrest

Just as you would have to handle the arrest if you were in your hometown, you may be asked to submit to a breathalyzer test. Additionally, your car will likely be impounded and you’ll more than likely need to contact someone who can come with bail money to help you get out.

It is an even stickier situation if you are on your trip alone or with only your children. In either event, your best choice is to contact DUI lawyers in Clearwater with Russo, Pelletier & Sullivan. Your attorney will help you understand your choices to be released.

Can You Go Home to Another State After an Arrest?

The big question after you’ve been arrested while vacationing in another state is whether you can go home, and what comes next. While you may be permitted to travel back to your home state, you may not be able to travel internationally. This poses an obvious issue to international travelers in particular, or those who travel internationally for business.

Once you go home, the DUI charge will follow you and if your license was revoked or temporarily suspended, the suspension stands in your home state as well. In fact, other states will treat the arrest as though it happened there for all penalties.

You may be required to return to the state for a trial depending on your plea, however when you hire Clearwater DUI lawyers you may not have to appear for other hearings. This will depend on what your attorney can have approved by the judge and if they are approved to appear alone on your behalf.

If convicted in Clearwater, you may be required to return to serve your sentence or the judge may approve you to serve your sentence locally to your home. This will vary depending on the judge, the blood alcohol level when arrested, if this is your first conviction, and a number of other factors.

The best course of action after any arrest when you are on vacation is to attempt to handle as much as you can while you are still in town. You may have a limited amount of time to handle your case, which is why it is so important to contact the best DUI attorney in Clearwater. To find out what you should do when you’ve been arrested for any reason during a vacation, contacting Russo, Pelletier & Sullivan can help.

For a free consultation with the best DUI attorney 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.

The impacts of DUI and DWI cases appear to be falling. In fact, according to the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles (FLHSMV), there were 746 fatalities from crashes involving alcohol, drugs, or a combination of both in Florida in 2020, which constitutes a decrease of more than 33% from 2019. However, the number of DUI cases appears to be on the rise, with the most recent data showing that over 43,000 DUI cases are filed annually.

If you’re part of the vast majority of DUI cases that do not involve a fatality, you may be tempted to represent yourself in court. Unfortunately, handling a DWI/DUI case is not the same as handling a simple traffic ticket. Although a DWI involves a vehicle, it will be handled in criminal court and requires knowledge of the criminal justice system.

In this brief article, a team member of our Clearwater DWI defense law firm, Russo, Pelletier & Sullivan, shares a few of the key reasons you should hire an attorney for your DUI arrest.

1. Attorneys Can Review Field Sobriety Tests for Issues

If your field sobriety test was flawed or administered incorrectly, you may have grounds to reduce your charge to reckless driving. The key is to hire an attorney who is as trained as the police when it comes to administering these sobriety tests. Attorneys Tim Sullivan and Marc Pelletier can review the video of your field sobriety tests to see if they were properly administered and interpreted fairly.

2. Your Attorney Will Review All of Your Options With You

Whether you have decided to plead guilty or want to fight your charges in court, an experienced attorney will be able to share all of your options. For example, if you want to take your case to trial, your attorney will discuss the best defense strategy for your unique case. If you want to reduce your charge, your attorney will help you review DUI diversion programs such as the D.R.O.P. program in Pinellas County, which can help reduce your charge to reckless driving.

3. Your Attorney Will Ensure You Meet All Deadlines

When dealing with any legal case, there are specific deadlines you must meet in a timely manner or you’ll risk a negative impact to your case. Your attorney will help make sure that you meet all necessary deadlines, including entering your plea and completing necessary program requirements (should you opt for a diversion program).

A Clearwater DWI attorney will help you understand the best course of action for your specific case and will guide you through the legal process. In addition to the points above, they will help you understand the avenues you can take to get your license back if it has been revoked and will represent your best interests.

For a free consultation with a DWI attorney 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