If you’ve been charged with a DUI in the State of Florida, then your driver’s license could be suspended for a period ranging from 180 days from your first offense to up to a year for your second and subsequent offenses. If you’re like many Americas who rely on their personal vehicle for transportation, you’re anxiously awaiting the opportunity to have your driver’s license reinstated. Fortunately, with the assistance of the best DUI lawyer in Clearwater, there are steps you can take to have these charges dismissed or reduced and your driver’s license reinstated. It’s important to partner with someone like an experienced lawyer from The Law Office of Timothy Sullivan for this process as they are adept at handling DUI cases, routinely deal with the DHSMV in making applications for driving permits and Florida hardship driver’s licenses, and will be dedicated to protecting your privilege to drive.
Waive the Formal Review Hearing to Obtain an Immediate Hardship License
If this is your first DUI conviction, your driver’s license could be suspended for a period ranging from 180 days to one year. If the offense involved bodily injury, then the suspension could last as long as three years. Thankfully, you can apply for a hardship driver’s license before the suspension period ends. A hardship license does not restore your full driving privileges; however, it does grant you limited driving privileges for business or employment purposes depending on which type of hardship license you receive.
Provided that you’re a first-time DUI offender, the best attorneys in Clearwater will almost always recommend that you take advantage of the “waiver” process. This is when you voluntarily waive your rights to a DHSMV Formal Review Hearing within 10 days of your arrest. Through the automatic administrative suspension of your privilege to drive, you’ll also gain the opportunity for immediate application for a hardship license, thus circumventing the hard suspension. That being said, every case is unique, which is why it’s so important to discuss the DHSMV administrative process in more detail with an attorney to determine whether it is truly in your best interest to request or waive the formal review hearing.