What to Expect Following a DUI Arrest
Like all other crimes, this is true even if the arrest is for a Florida DUI offense.
The person who is being accused has constitutional rights to fight their charges in court and to be represented by an attorney.
Generally speaking, it is advantageous to retain an experienced local criminal defense lawyer.
Keep in mind that you are always innocent until proven guilty in court.
The state of Florida has unique punishments for drunk driving violations.
By hiring a local DUI lawyer you can benefit from the representation of an experienced attorney knowledgeable in Florida's specific DUI laws and penalties.
In many situations, there may be two separate trials related to your Florida DUI offense.
In addition to the criminal charges you may be facing, you may also face a civil lawsuit brought by the Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles.
Following a Florida DUI arrest, the arrestee will be taken to the police station and administered an evidentiary breath test.
In the event that the arrest follows a vehicle collision, or there are circumstances making it impossible for the person to take the breath test, he/she may be transported to the hospital for a blood test.
Florida law provides the arrested individual the opportunity to request an independent blood test, which you ought to request in the event that you feel your blood alcohol content (BAC) level is under the lawful limit of.
08.
Following an arrest for DUI in Florida, there will be a court appearance which may actually take place in the jail within 24 hours.
Next comes the arraignment phase.
This is where the defendant will be asked to enter a plea of Guilty, Not Guilty, or No Contest.
It is critical to have an experienced DUI defense lawyer with you at this stage.
Alternatively, the court can and will appoint a lawyer for you, but having an attorney well versed in Florida's DUI laws is crucial to maximizing your likelihood of achieving a favorable result.