When facing a fourth DUI offense, most people believe the outcome is inevitable:  years in prison, a permanently revoked license, and the loss of everything they’ve worked for. But at the Law Office of Timothy Sullivan, we believe every case deserves a careful, strategic, and aggressive defense, no matter how serious the charge.

The Case: Fourth DUI and Refusal to Submit to Breath Test

Our client was arrested in Pinellas County and charged with DUI (fourth offense) and refusal to submit to breath testing. Because of his prior record, he faced up to five years in the Florida Department of Corrections, a permanent driver’s license revocation and an additional year in the Pinellas County Jail.

Before contacting our office, the client had already spoken to several other attorneys. Each one advised him to plea early, hoping that an early acceptance of responsibility might persuade the court to impose a shorter sentence. However, because he held licenses as a financial professional, a felony conviction would have resulted in the lost of his livelihood. 

Feeling hopeless and believing prison was unavoidable, he reached out to our office for one final consultation.

The Strategy: Identifying a Critical Legal Issue

During his consultation with Attorney Timothy Sullivan, our team conducted a detailed review of the facts and circumstances of the client’s case. Drawing on his experience as a former state prosecutor and lead trial attorney, Mr. Sullivan immediately identified what he believed was a significant legal issue affecting the admissibility of key evidence.

Recognizing the potential impact of this issue, the client made the decision to retain our firm.

The Action: Challenging the DHSMV Suspension

Mr. Sullivan quickly filed a challenge to the DHSMV 18-month suspension that resulted from the alleged refusal to submit to testing. Not only did this challenge allow us to gather critical testimony and evidence that supported our defense theory, but our team also won the administrative hearing, sparing the client from 18 months without a driver’s license.

The evidence obtained through that process proved invaluable in the criminal case.

The Result: Felony DUI Reduced to Reckless Driving

Armed with the administrative-hearing evidence and legal research supporting our motion, Mr. Sullivan engaged in detailed negotiations with the State Attorney’s Office. Ultimately, the felony DUI was reduced to a misdemeanor Reckless Driving, and the client avoided jail time, avoided prison, and kept his driver’s license.

What began as a hopeless case with the possibility of years behind bars ended with a result few believed possible.

The Lesson: Experience and Focus Matter

This case illustrates why it’s vital to hire a true DUI defense specialist, not just a lawyer who “handles” DUI cases occasionally.

Attorney Timothy Sullivan has received the same advanced DUI training as law enforcement officers, including certification in field sobriety testing and breath-testing procedures. As a former Pinellas County prosecutor, he understands how the State builds its cases, and more importantly, how to dismantle them.

Mr. Sullivan limits his practice exclusively to Pinellas County DUI and criminal defense, ensuring every client benefits from his focused experience, strategic insight, and reputation for results.

Contact Clearwater DUI Defense Attorney Timothy Sullivan

If you or someone you care about has been charged with a DUI in Clearwater, Dunedin, St. Petersburg, or anywhere in Pinellas County, don’t give up hope, call the Law Office of Timothy Sullivan today at (727) 855-3847 or visit www.duistpetersburglawyer.com for a free consultation.

Getting a DUI charge can completely turn your life around, and a conviction may result in criminal penalties, steep fines, loss of driving privileges, and long-term impacts on your record. One of the most common tools law enforcement uses during a DUI arrest is the breathalyzer. While breath test results can play a central role in a DUI case, their accuracy is not always as clear-cut as it seems.

As the top DWI lawyers in Clearwater, the team with The Law Office of Timothy Sullivan is prepared to help you understand how breathalyzers work, and how they can be used during court proceedings.

Understanding Breathalyzers

A breathalyzer is a device that estimates blood alcohol content by measuring the amount of alcohol in a person’s breath. The science is based on the principle that alcohol in the bloodstream passes into the lungs and is exhaled in measurable amounts.

In Florida, law enforcement currently uses the Intoxilyzer 8000 breath testing device. Because of the size of these machines, breath tests frequently occur a significant amount of time after driving because the machines are most commonly kept at the police station or jail..

Scientific Accuracy of Breathalyzer

Manufacturers often claim their devices can measure BAC within a margin of error as small as plus or minus 0.005 percent. But, real-world conditions can affect this precision. Even simple factors such as temperature changes, poor device maintenance, and pure human error can influence readings.

One of the most common issues is improper calibration. Breathalyzers must be regularly calibrated to maintain accuracy, and a machine that has not been properly maintained can produce unreliable results. Residual mouth alcohol can also affect results. This can occur if a person uses mouthwash, breath spray, or has consumed any amount of alcohol shortly before testing, which can cause artificially high readings.

Certain medical conditions, including gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) and diabetes, can also affect breath test results by introducing alcohol-like compounds into the breath sample. Even diet and medication can have an impact. For example, low-carb diets can produce ketones, which may be misread by some devices, and some medications can cause chemical interference. These factors mean that a BAC reading, especially if it is close to the legal limit, should not be taken at face value without further examination.

What to Do After a DUI Arrest 

If you have been arrested for DUI, it is important not to assume that the breath test results are final. You have the right to challenge the evidence against you. Attorney Tim Sullivan routinely analyzes the maintenance and calibration records for the breathalyzer used in DUI cases. In fact, attorneys from throughout the State have retained Mr. Sullivan to review breath test records.. It is also important to preserve any evidence that could be helpful to your defense, such as receipts, medical records, or witness statements from the time of your arrest. 

More importantly, you should contact one of the Top DWI lawyers in Clearwater with The Law Office of Timothy Sullivan as soon as possible. Challenging license suspension does come with a tight timeline, and you should act fast to set yourself up for the most favorable outcome.

We are here for you. To get your complimentary case consultation with a leading DWI attorney in Clearwater, call The Law Office of Timothy Sullivan at (727) 291-9717. 

If you’re trying to have fun or catch up on well-deserved rest while on vacation in Clearwater Beach, being charged with a DUI is the last thing you want. If you have been arrested for drinking and driving, you need to consult with the best DWI attorneys in Clearwater at The Law Office of Timothy Sullivan. We have the expertise and successful track record needed to give you confidence throughout these often complex legal proceedings.

Understanding DUI Laws in Florida

Florida has strict DUI laws to keep roadways safe. A driver is considered legally impaired if their blood alcohol content (BAC) is 0.08% or higher. For commercial drivers, the limit is 0.04%, and for drivers under 21, any detectable alcohol can lead to a DUI charge or driver’s license penalties..

Florida treats all drivers the same, including out-of-state visitors. If you are charged with DUI in Clearwater Beach, the same laws and penalties apply regardless of your residency.

Immediate Consequences of a DUI Arrest in Clearwater Beach

If you are stopped on suspicion of DUI, law enforcement will typically conduct roadside sobriety tests and may use a breathalyzer. If you fail these, you will be arrested, booked at the police station, and your vehicle may be towed and impounded. As soon as possible, you should consult with a top DWI lawyer in Clearwater with The Law Office of Timothy Sullivan to best help yourself post-stop.

Following the arrest, your driver’s license will be temporarily suspended in Florida. Florida also notifies your home state’s Department of Motor Vehicles, which may result in suspension or other administrative action against your license there. 

What Happens if You’re Not a Florida Resident?

If you hold an out-of-state driver’s license, Florida will still suspend your driving privileges within the state after a DUI arrest. However, the suspension in your home state depends on your state’s participation in the Interstate Driver’s License Compact.

Most states participate in the IDLC, meaning your home state may take action based on the Florida DUI charge. You generally do not have to physically return to Florida for all court appearances, as some proceedings may be handled remotely or through representation. However, depending on the case specifics, your presence may be required at certain times.

Legal Options and Next Steps

If arrested for DUI in Clearwater Beach, it is important to hire the best DWI attorneys in Clearwater with The Law Office of Timothy Sullivan. Your attorney will help you understand your rights, review the evidence, and explore options such as plea deals, diversion programs, or case dismissal.

Don’t Settle for Less Than the Best if You Have Been Arrested for a DUI on Vacation

A DUI arrest while on vacation in Clearwater Beach can turn your life upside down, but knowing that an expert attorney is on your side can provide peace of mind. At The Law Office of Timothy Sullivan, we are dedicated to guiding our clients through Florida’s DUI process with clear advice and strong representation.

Have you been arrested for a DUI? Contact a top DWI lawyer in Clearwater at The Law Office of Timothy Sullivan as soon as possible to get a complimentary DUI case consultation, or call our office at (727) 291-9717 for more information.

Police body camera footage has become an increasingly important piece of evidence in DUI cases. This footage is able to provide a real-time, detailed account of what happens during a traffic stop, field sobriety tests, and arrests, and can either support or undermine a DUI defense depending on what it contains. 

At The Law Office of Timothy Sullivan, our DUI attorneys in Clearwater are skilled in carefully analyzing bodycam recordings to protect our clients and build the strongest possible defense.

How Bodycam Footage Can Help Your Defense

One of the main benefits of police bodycam footage is that it includes the full context of the traffic stop. Unlike written police reports, which can sometimes be vague or subjective, bodycam videos provide an unfiltered view of the interaction between you and the officer. If you acted respectfully, cooperated fully, and followed instructions, your Clearwater DUI defense lawyer with The Law Office of Timothy Sullivan can often argue that your behavior was inconsistent with someone impaired by alcohol or drugs.

Bodycam footage also highlights how the arresting officer conducted themself. If they failed to follow proper procedures, did not read you your rights, or lacked legal justification to stop or arrest you, the video can be important when filing motions to suppress evidence or challenging the legality of your arrest.

When Bodycam Footage Can Hurt Your DUI Defense

On the other hand, bodycam footage can also work against you if it captures behavior indicating impairment. Videos that show slurred speech, unsteady movements, erratic driving, or poor performance on field sobriety tests will likely strengthen the prosecution’s case. Even hesitation or confusion in responding to questions can be interpreted as signs of intoxication.

The footage may also confirm that the officer acted lawfully and followed proper procedure throughout the stop and arrest. If the video verifies that there was valid probable cause for the stop and that field sobriety tests were administered correctly, it can weaken your defense by removing grounds to challenge the arrest or suppress evidence.

Legal Strategies Involving Bodycam Footage

If you choose to work with The Law Office of Timothy Sullivan, your DUI attorney in Clearwater will review all bodycam footage closely to determine how it can be used to your advantage, or to lessen any damaging aspects. If there are any constitutional rights, your attorney can file motions to suppress evidence gathered as a result of the illegal stop, which could potentially lead to it being excluded from your case.

Bodycam footage is also valuable when questioning the validity of field sobriety test results. The recording may show poor testing conditions, such as uneven ground or low light, or reveal that the officer gave confusing instructions. These factors can help argue that the test results were unreliable or improperly conducted.

Why You Need Experienced Legal Representation

Whether bodycam footage helps or hurts your DUI case depends heavily on how it is interpreted and presented in court, which makes it imperative to have an experienced DUI attorney on your side who understands how to most effectively utilize it. 

To get a complimentary DUI case consultation with one of the top DUI defense lawyers in Clearwater, call our office at (727) 291-9717 today.