Seminole County DUI Defense Attorney

Common DUI Charges in Seminole County

If you’ve been charged with DUI in Seminole County, your first step should be finding out exactly what type of DUI you’ve been accused of. The accomplished legal team at The Ticket Fighter Law Firm has built DUI defense cases for clients facing the following common charges:

First Offense DUI

This is usually a misdemeanor charge unless there are major aggravating factors, like causing a serious accident.

Subsequent Offense DUI

Typically, a second DUI is still a misdemeanor. However, if you’re convicted of three or more DUIs in 10 years, you could be convicted of a felony.

Commercial Driver’s License (CDL) DUI

In Florida, the legal alcohol limit for CDL holders driving commercial vehicles is 0.04%. This is half the legal limit for drivers operating personal vehicles.

DUI convictions can be especially damaging for CDL holders because they threaten their livelihood. A first-time conviction could lead to your commercial driver’s license being suspended for up to a year. If you get another DUI (even in a personal vehicle), your CDL could be permanently revoked.

Our DUI defense attorneys understand what’s at stake in situations like these, and we’re determined to deliver the committed advocacy you deserve.

DUI With Property Damage

If you’re involved in an accident that causes property damage while intoxicated, you could face more severe consequences. A DUI with property damage isn’t as severe as a DUI with serious bodily harm, but it may lead to a longer license suspension.

DUI Accident Resulting in Serious Bodily Harm

In Seminole County, any kind of DUI charge is serious. However, if you’re responsible for an accident while under the influence, the penalties become far more severe. After causing a crash that leads to serious bodily injury, you could be convicted of a third-degree felony and spend up to five years in prison.

DUI Manslaughter

Causing a fatal accident while driving under the influence can get your charge upgraded to DUI manslaughter. This is a second-degree felony that could lead to a 15-year prison sentence.

DUI Manslaughter/Leaving the Scene

If you cause a fatal accident while intoxicated and flee the scene, you could be charged with a first-degree felony. A guilty verdict can result in up to 30 years in prison.

Understanding the Consequences of a DUI Conviction

A DUI arrest is far more serious than a traffic ticket. Here are some of the potential consequences of being found guilty of DUI:

• Your driver’s license may be suspended or revoked
• You may be required to install an ignition interlock device
• You may spend time in jail or prison
• You could owe thousands of dollars in fines
• You may face reputational damage
• Your car insurance premiums will increase
• You may have trouble finding employment

A conviction for DUI in Florida is a serious matter. The more prior DUIs you have, the greater the impact on your life is likely to be.

Here’s a more detailed breakdown of the penalties that come with a conviction:

First DUI

The first time you’re convicted of driving under the influence, the penalties include:

• Suspension of driving privileges from 180 days to one year
• A fine of $500–$1,000
• Up to six months in jail
• 50 hours of community service
• Possible ignition interlock device (IID) installation

If this is your first DUI arrest, our team may be able to determine whether you qualify for Seminole County’s first-time DUI offender program. This program doesn’t eliminate the repercussions of a conviction, but it can significantly lessen them.

Second DUI

If you’re convicted of DUI a second time, you’ll face increased penalties, such as:

• Suspension of driving privileges for one year
• A fine of $1,000–$2,000
• Up to nine months in jail
• Required IID installation

If this is your second DUI charge, you won’t be eligible for first-time offender programs or other deferred adjudication options.

Third DUI

Being convicted of three DUIs within a 10-year period leads to especially serious penalties, including:

• Driver’s license suspension for at least 10 years
• A fine of $2,000–$5,000
• Up to five years’ imprisonment

Because a third DUI within 10 years can be charged as a felony, a conviction may result in a prison stint rather than time in the county jail.

Fourth DUI

If you’re charged with a fourth DUI in Seminole County, the stakes couldn’t be higher. Fourth (or subsequent) DUIs are felony charges. If you’re convicted, you could face the following punishments:

• Permanent driver’s license revocation
• A fine of $2,000 or more
• Up to five years’ imprisonment

Unfortunately, if you have a felony conviction on your record, it can cause problems even after you’ve served your time. You may be prohibited from owning a firearm or obtaining some kinds of professional licenses, and you could face significant hurdles to finding housing and employment.