Drunk driving, also known as driving under the influence, is a serious crime. Drunk driving kills thousands of innocent people each year on the roads of America. Because of the inherent danger, drunk driving is considered to be one of the most easily preventable crimes and at the same time one of the most important crimes to prevent. Most states have enacted harsh penalties against individuals who drive drunk, and Florida is no exception. Understanding what the FL DUI law is and what punishment you can expect if you are arrested or charged with drunk driving in the state of Florida is important.
FL DUI Law: Penalties and Fines
Penalties for DUI in Florida can vary based on a number of factors:
- Depending on your blood alcohol level, a first conviction for drunk driving in Florida will cost you anywhere from $500-2000 in fines.
- Second convictions will cost anywhere from $2000 to $4000,
- Third or subsequent convictions start at $2000 with no maximum upper limit on the fines that can be assessed.
Drunk driving is not an inexpensive activity to engage in, especially if you are caught or have been caught before. These fines are just the tip of the iceberg, however, as there are further criminal penalties which result from a drunk driving arrest in Florida.
Community Service
In addition to the fines, you may also be required to perform community service after a DUI arrest in Florida:
- A first conviction in Florida carries a minimum of 50 hours of community service, or a fine of $10 per hour of community service that is not carried out. This means you will have to take time off from work or time away from family in order to perform your community service, in addition to the fines and any criminal penalties you have to satisfy.
- Community service hours can exceed fifty for a first conviction, so the amount of time you will have to spend doing such work will depend upon the sentencing judge.
Jail Time and Other Penalties
You can serve time in jail for DUI in Florida – up to six to nine months for a first conviction, depending on your total blood alcohol content. Second and subsequent convictions increase this time, and as a habitual offender (more than four convictions) you can have up to five years in prison for a single drunk driving offense. In addition, your car can be impounded and your licensing privileges revoked. Mandatory impound for DUI offenses starts at ten days for a first offense and increases from there as the number and seriousness of your offenses increases.
Getting Help
Because of the serious nature of the penalties, it is essential you consult with an experienced Florida DUI attorney if you have been arrested for drunk driving. Your attorney can help you to prove your innocence or reduce the charges down to a lesser change in certain instances. He can also help you understand what your fines may be and help you to minimize the impact a drunk driving conviction will have on your life.
