Common Questions Surrounding Spring Break DUI Arrests in Pinellas County

If you or a loved one has been arrested for Driving Under the Influence while on Spring Break in St. Pete Beach, Clearwater Beach, or the surrounding areas of Pinellas County, it is imperative that you contact the best DUI lawyer in Clearwater to discuss your case. In this article, top-rated DWI defense lawyer Timothy Sullivan discusses common questions that come up surrounding Spring Break impaired driving arrests.

How Do I get my Car Back?

In many cases, law enforcement will elect to impound the vehicle that a person is driving after a DUI arrest. If that occurs, the process of getting your car out of impound will depend on who the registered owner of the vehicle is. In that regard:

• If the arrestee is the registered owner, he or she will first visit the law enforcement agency that arrested him/her and secure an impound release form. From there, the registered owner will visit the tow yard to obtain the car.
• If the registered owner is a parent or loved one who is not on Spring Break, the registered owner will either need to return to Florida, or provide a “power of attorney” document to allow the family member in Pinellas County to secure the release of the vehicle. (Our office routinely helps with this form).
• If the vehicle was a rental car, you will need to contact the rental company and notify it that the vehicle has been impounded.

Can My DUI Arrest be Reduced to Reckless Driving?

Avoiding a DUI conviction will help our client’s job prospects, higher education opportunities, and provide significant savings in automobile insurance. One method of avoiding a conviction for DUI is securing a reduction in charge from DUI to Reckless Driving. During your free consultation with highly-experienced St. Petersburg DUI Defense Lawyer Timothy Sullivan, we will discuss the likelihood of such a resolution and the recommended steps that our client should take. 

Will I have to return to Florida to go to Court?

In many cases, our office can handle a DUI case from start to finish for persons arrested for DUI without the individual ever having to return to Florida. Attorney Tim Sullivan limits his practice to the Defense of DUI and similar cases in Pinellas County. As a result, he has extensive experience with the local judiciary and practice preferences.

Contact Our Office for a Free Consultation

If you or a loved one has been charged with a DUI while on Spring Break in Pinellas County, contact our office at 727-855-3847 for a free consultation. We will tailor a strategy designed to meet your goals and objectives and minimize any penalties that might be imposed.

A DUI conviction in Florida carries serious consequences, including fines, possible jail time, probation, and mandatory alcohol education programs. However, one of the most immediate and long-lasting penalties is the impact on your driving privileges. 

If you are convicted of a DUI, the court will impose a license revocation. Retaining a highly rated Pinellas County DUI defense attorney at the outset of your case may mean the difference between losing your driver’s license or maintaining your privilege to drive.

DUI Penalties in Florida

A DUI conviction results in significant legal penalties that vary based on factors such as prior offenses and blood alcohol concentration. These penalties may include fines, jail time, probation, or even mandatory alcohol education programs. First-time offenders may face a fine ranging from $500 to $1,000 and up to six months in jail, whereas repeat offenders can face even higher fines and extended jail time.

License Revocation or Suspension

A DUI conviction will lead to an automatic suspension or revocation of your driver’s license. The length, similar to the other penalties, depends on factors like whether there were previous offenses, whether there was a refusal to submit to a BAC test, and whether there were any subsequent injuries or fatalities. 

Length of License Revocation or Suspension

• 1st offense with no refusal to take a BAC test: Minimum suspension of 180 days and up to one year.
• 1st offense with refusal of a BAC test: Automatic one-year suspension.
• 2nd offense: Minimum five-year revocation if the second offense occurs within five years of the first. Eligibility for a hardship license may be available after one year.
• 3rd offense: Minimum 10-year revocation if the third offense occurs within 10 years of a prior conviction. A hardship license may be available after two years.
• 4th, or any subsequent offenses: Permanent license revocation with no opportunity for hardship reinstatement.
• DUI cases involving serious bodily injury: Minimum three-year license revocation.

Ignition Interlock Device and DUI Conviction

In more severe cases, individuals convicted of a DUI may be required to install an ignition interlock device (also known as an IID) on their vehicles. An IID requires the driver to provide a breath sample before starting the car, and periodically while driving. The device will prevent the car from operating if any alcohol is detected.

• First-time offenders with a BAC of 0.15% or higher must install an IID for at least six months.
• Second-time offenders must have an IID for at least one year.
• Third-time offenders require an IID for at least two years.

Defenses for DUI Conviction

If you are facing a DUI charge, working with the best DUI lawyer in Clearwater may help you avoid or mitigate the consequences through a variety of potential strategies, which can include:

Seeking a reduction or an Amendment of the Charge

In many cases, seeking a reduction or an amendment of the charge of DUI to a Reckless Driving will allow our clients to avoid the stiff penalties associated with a DUI conviction including the mandatory loss of license.

Challenging the Traffic Stop

If law enforcement lacked the reasonable suspicion to stop you, the evidence obtained during the stop may be considered inadmissible.

Questioning Field Sobriety and Breath Tests

Improperly administered sobriety tests, faulty breathalyzer devices, or medical conditions that can affect test results can be used to challenge the charges.

Violation of Constitutional Rights

If law enforcement chose not to follow proper procedures, such as failing to inform you of your rights, your Clearwater DUI attorney with the Law Office of Timothy Sullivan may argue for the evidence to be excluded.

Work With Timothy Sullivan for a Chance at a Better Outcome for Your DUI Case

Understanding your rights and potential defenses can drastically minimize the impact of a DUI charge on your life and driving privileges. If you are facing DUI charges, consulting with an experienced attorney should be the first step you take.

Do not face a DUI charge alone. Get represented by the best Clearwater DUI attorneys. For a complimentary DUI case consultation call our office at (727) 291-9717.