Orlando DUI Defense Attorney

Understanding the DUI Defense Process in Orlando

Florida law prohibits anyone from driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol. “Driving” means that the person was in physical control of a motor vehicle. “Under the influence” can mean any of three things.

First, a driver violates the law if their normal faculties are impaired. This usually means that law enforcement officers saw the driver violate traffic laws and determined that the cause was intoxication. A driver can commit this violation simply based on an officer’s observations, regardless of the results of any chemical testing.

This violation occurs when you knowingly ingest alcohol or mind-altering drugs. It can also apply to prescription medication use. In other words, you can be charged with DUI even if you had a legitimate prescription for the medication that affected your driving abilities.

Second, a driver commits a DUI when they drive with a blood alcohol concentration of 0.08% or higher. This type of violation is called a “per se” violation, and it’s based solely on the results of a blood test.

Third, a driver violates the DUI statute when they drive with a breath alcohol level of 0.08 or more grams of alcohol per 210 liters of breath. This violation occurs when a driver fails a breath test.

Importantly, police officers don’t need evidence of impairment to arrest a driver for a per se violation. The driver may be arrested simply based on chemical test results, without any proof that they violated traffic laws or failed a field sobriety test.

In many cases, the police might include other charges with a DUI charge.

If you were speeding or making an unsafe lane change when stopped, for example, they might add reckless driving charges to your DUI case. Likewise, if a search of your vehicle after your DUI arrest uncovered illegal drugs, you could face drug possession charges with your DUI case.

These charges are usually handled in a single court case. We can develop a robust defense to all of your charges.

Opportunities to Present Your Defense to DUI Charges in Orlando, FL

You’ll have several opportunities to defend yourself during the legal process.

You’re entitled to legal representation if officers wish to question you. At your initial court appearance, your Orlando criminal defense attorney will push for you to be released until your trial. They’ll also investigate the circumstances of your arrest to identify any irregularities or police misconduct that may have violated your Constitutional rights.

For example, the officers must have had probable cause for the initial stop. This means they must have had a reasonable suspicion that you committed a crime or traffic infraction.

More specifically, it means they can’t pull you over based on your race, nationality, or location at the time of the stop. Instead, they must cite specific observations that supported their belief that you violated the law. If they can’t, your case may be dismissed.

Similarly, police officers generally must have a warrant or probable cause to search your vehicle if you refuse to give them permission. If they illegally searched your vehicle, any evidence they uncovered may not be used in your trial.

In addition to these possible defenses, your DUI defense attorney in Orlando will work with you to understand what happened and raise additional defenses against the criminal accusation. Your Orlando DUI defense case may include any of the following arguments:

• Your faculties weren’t impaired
• The testing apparatus was contaminated
• The police agency failed to properly calibrate its testing equipment
• The responding officers weren’t adequately trained in how to use the testing equipment

Once your Orlando criminal defense lawyers identify your potential defenses, they’ll negotiate with the Florida State Attorney’s Office to resolve your case.

It’s possible that your attorney might persuade prosecutors that you didn’t violate the law, meaning your case must be dismissed. Otherwise, the evidence they gather may weaken the prosecution’s case and set the stage for a plea deal.

In some complex DUI cases, the defense attorney and prosecutors can’t reach an agreement. If this happens in your case, you’ll have to go to trial.

Prosecutors must prove beyond a reasonable doubt that you violated Orlando DUI laws. Your DUI Orlando lawyer will challenge the prosecution’s evidence and present your defense as they advocate for a favorable outcome.

Benefits of Hiring an Orlando DUI Defense Lawyer

DUI law firms in Orlando can offer several notable benefits as you navigate the justice system in Orange County and Osceola County.

First and most importantly, a DUI attorney in Orlando will be deeply familiar with Florida law and court procedures, including what prosecutors must prove to convict you. They’ll understand how the local police agencies collect, store, and analyze evidence. These insights allow DUI law firms to craft defenses that fit the evidence in the client’s case.

What’s more, handling an Orlando DUI defense lawsuit requires courtroom experience. A local attorney who has previously defended clients against charges for DUI in Orlando will know which arguments are effective in persuading prosecutors, judges, and jurors.

The best DUI lawyer in Orlando will have a track record of successfully defending clients against charges for DUI and obtaining dismissals, reductions in charges, and other positive outcomes.

Bear in mind that your DUI defense lawsuit will have strict deadlines. DUI law firms must work quickly after their clients are arrested to safeguard their rights and interests, including protecting them during police interrogations.

Many defendants forget their right to remain silent and end up creating unnecessary complications in their cases. Your DUI criminal defense lawyer can represent you during any conversations you have with the police.

Anyone who saw you before you were arrested may be able to testify about your state, rebutting the officers’ observations about your balance, coordination, and outward appearance.

If you delay in contacting a lawyer, witness memories may fade. The sooner your attorney can start working on your case, the better the odds of obtaining witness statements that can benefit you.

Likewise, evidence can easily be lost or erased. For example, security footage showing you leaving a restaurant might refute claims that you were unable to stand or walk due to intoxication.

Waiting to contact a lawyer could result in the loss of such valuable evidence. By acting promptly, you’ll enable your attorney to recover this sort of evidence before it’s lost forever.

Why Choose The Ticket Fighter Law Firm?

If you’re facing charges of DUI, our lawyers are ready to spring into action. We focus exclusively on criminal defense in DUI cases. We know Florida’s DUI laws and criminal court procedures inside and out, and we’re well known to the prosecutors who handle cases in Central Florida.

We offer our clients the following critical advantages:

Free, Confidential Case Evaluation

Under Florida law, any information you discuss with us while seeking legal representation is privileged and confidential. That means we can’t disclose it to anyone.

This legal provision allows you to tell us everything about your arrest, including facts that might be adverse to your case. We can use this information to advise you about your legal options and craft a sound DUI defense case.

Aggressive Representation

We believe everyone accused of a criminal offense deserves a rigorous and thorough defense. Our attorneys proudly represent anyone charged with violating Florida’s DUI laws, regardless of their identity or immigration status.

We understand that the consequences of a conviction can disrupt your family life, employment, or studies, and we’ll fight hard for a favorable outcome even when other firms might give up.

Thorough Case Investigation

Our capable attorneys will seek out the evidence needed to substantiate your defense. 

We’ll interview witnesses who can attest to your physical and mental state before, during, and after the alleged DUI. We’ll also thoroughly review video footage, including security, body cam, and dash cam footage, to uncover anything that could help us show what actually happened.

If necessary, our lawyers can call upon expert witnesses to review the police agency’s chemical testing procedures and point out potential flaws in your blood or breath test results.