Reader’s Question:

My nephew might be facing a big problem right now. He was charged with DUI after being pulled over 3 days ago at St. Petersburg, FL. He badly needs needs help in finding a good & unexpensive lawyer. Please help us find one.

Nicole

Clearwater, FL

The range of fees for Florida DUI lawyers could vary largely depending on the nature of the case. There are several factors to consider such as degree of offense, whether the offense is the first or is a repeat, whether the defendant has been convicted of misdemeanor or felony, whether the offense has caused damage to life or property and the client’s requirements and expectations.

Florida DUI lawyers could cost your nephew from $500 to $2,000. Of course, fees may vary depending on the reputation of the lawyer. If your nephew is facing a minor and first offense, you do not have to choose the best. However, if the he has caused damage to life or property, I suggest you get a more experienced Florida DUI lawyer. A little warning, though, because this would cost you more.

The Internet is one of the best resources for Florida DUI lawyers. Just go to your favorite search engine and type in Florida DUI lawyers. Most lawyer directories are easy-to-use and are categorized according to area. You may even find online legal help. I suggest you also check your local telephone directory and find one nearest your area.

Good luck and hope you find the best legal help for your nephew.

Reader’s Question:

I was convicted for DUI and my driver’s license was suspended. How can I get a Florida Hardship License?

Francis

Sarasota , FL

If you are convicted for DUI and want to drive legally while getting your Florida license back, you may apply for a hardship license in the county where you live before the expiration of the revocation period. One of the requirements, if referred, is the completion and treatment for DUI school. After that, you can apply for a Florida hardship license in any Administrative Reviews Office where you live.

Proof of or completion of DUI School and treatment, if referred, is required if you wait to reinstate your license until your revocation period ends. Failure to finish the course within 90 days after reinstatement will result in cancellation of your driver’s license by the department until the course is completed. Failure of completion of the treatment may result in cancellation of your driver’s license.

You must take the required examination, and pay $115 administrative fee and $60 reinstatement fee and any license fee required at the time of reinstatement, whether for a hardship license or a full license. Also, proof of liability coverage or proof of liability insurance on the arrest date and a $15 reinstatement fee will be required.

Reader’s Question:

My cousin was arrested for a DUI charge in Tallahassee, Florida. He refused to have DUI tests. What are the consequences of his decision for test refusal?

Justine

Tallahassee , FL

Your cousin may be in trouble. The Florida DUI law requires that the license be suspended on the day of the arrest for one year for the first offense and 18 months for any consecutive offenses if he refuses to submit to a urine or breath test. He will be given a 10-day permit on the arrest date and when it expires, he must serve 90 days of suspension before he is eligible to apply for a hardship license on the first suspension. If he refused to submit two or more times, no hardship license is permitted. For consideration of a hardship license, he must provide a proof of enrollment in a DUI School to the Administrative Reviews Office. If he will be given approval to reinstate early for hardship license, he must present this approval to the driver license office.

Whether for a hardship license or a full license, at the time of reinstatement, he must take the required examination and pay $115 administrative fee, $35 reinstatement fee and any license fee required. Proof of liability insurance on the day of arrest or proof of liability coverage and a $15 reinstatement fee will be required under Florida DUI law.

Reader’s Question:

In January 2008, a friend of mine was convicted for DUI here in Orlando, Florida and got 1 year of probation. In May, he was arrested for a 2nd DUI. Do you have any idea as to how much jail time he will serve and other penalties he may have?

John

Orlando , FL

Regarding DUI penalties in the State of Florida , the following law applies for second conviction:

-Fines
Your friend might be paying a fine of $500-$1000. With a BAC of .02 or higher or with a minor in the vehicle, the fine will be a minimum of $1000, Maximum $2,000.

-Probation
He may be in probation for a minimum of one day, maximum of one year.

-Jail Time
Under Florida DUI Law, your friend may be incarcerated for a minimum of 10 days and a maximum of nine months. If BAC is .02 or higher or with a minor in the vehicle, he mat serve a jail time for a minimum of ten days and a maximum of Twelve Months.

-Driver’s License Suspension
His driver’s license may be suspended for five years. He may be eligible for hardship license reinstatement after 1 year.

-Impoundment
The vehicle may be impounded for 10 days or 30 days if the 2nd DUI is within three years. In his case, this is his 2nd DUI within three years, impoundment will be for 30 days.

-Other Penalties
This would include evaluation for any substance abuse problems, successful completion of an approved DUI Counter Attack School and he may undergo any recommended treatment.

Reader’s Question

Here is the thing; I have been driving along the roads of Miami, Florida. However, due to one invitation to go a pub from a colleague of mine at work, last Monday I got arrested for DUI. I missed to attend the administrative hearing because of work log I had that I need to finish. What are the consequences of my non-appearance during the hearing?

Anthony, Miami FL

Anthony,

I have been in that situation a year ago, guess what? My driver’s license was revoked.

We might think that this administrative proceeding is not important. An often-neglected part of a DUI proceeding, yet it is the most critical. This usually happens days right after you were arrested and you have to go to the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles to attend the hearing. The purpose of this hearing is to determine whether your driving privileges will still continue or not. If you fail to respond or even appear during the hearing, your driver’s license will be automatically revoked.

For your non-appearance during the hearing, expect that your driver’s license will be revoked.

Here follows a few suggestions for charges you should look out for when your lawyer is explaining the cost of Hollywood FL DUI lawyer to you in the form of a fee agreement. If you don’t want to be cheated, then you have to look closely at your fee agreement and see what the fees are and how they add up, and whether they are necessary in the first place.

• In any kind of case, the cost of Hollywood FL DUI lawyer will include the labor used. This includes:
  • any extra time the lawyer’s employees have spent doing research, paperwork, and so on for your case.
  • any overtime hours racked up by your case.
  • the cost of hiring an extra employee, like an investigator, for aspects of your case.
• The small things can also add up, but not much.
  • use of paper
  • postage
  • envelopes
  • taxi services
• Then there are the trial costs which the lawyer usually includes.
  • fees for operating the court
  • jury fees, if you want a jury

READER QUESTION:

I’m not sure what it means to say that a lawyer is an AV rated Miami Florida DUI lawyer. A little help here?

Cristobal

Excellent question, Cristobal.

Many lawyers include in their advertisements that they are an AV rated Miami Florida DUI lawyer, and it is in fact more notable than anything when they choose not to include this detail. An AV rating can be a good thing or a bad thing, depending on what the rating actually is.

AV rating is a system of determining the quality of attorneys, and the ratings are decided by other lawyers and peers. This is one of the most prestigious ratings systems, and so recieving an excellent AV rating is something that lawyers want to brag about, and also something that can draw in a lot of customers.

Because of this draw, an excellently AV rated Miami Florida DUI lawyer is more likely to have the ability to charge higher prices, which puts them beyong the reach of many people. However, with the proper bargaining and a payment plan, it can be possible for some who are struggling with their finances.

Here are a few factors that the lawyers consider when determining what kind of rating to give an AV rated Miami Florida DUI lawyer: experience, expertise, success, etc.

–Fashun.

When a person is charged with the offense of driving under the influence of alcohol, it’s important for them to understand that it is a very serious offense. It can cause you to lose your license, and it can affect your future job prospects. It can get in the way of many things, and worst of all, it will likely follow you for years, not only as part of your criminal record but in your insurance rates as well.

Therefore, it is necessary for you to come to terms with just how necessary getting a DUI attorney in Fort Lauderdale FL is. All of the books and websites with descriptions of DUI law will never add up to the experience and knowledge that you can take part in from just a half hour with a good DUI attorney. An attorney can bring your case and DUI law together, and show you how they interact.

A DUI attorney in Fort Lauderdale FL can do more than that, too. They can also take care of making calls, mailing paperwork, and little things like that. More than anything else, though, a lawyer can take a realistic look at your case and know what results are possible, and then accomplish those results in your defense in court.

Your Orlando FL DUI lawyer needs your cooperation when getting your case ready to present in a court of law, and so you have to relay all of the information you have to them. One of the most relevant pieces of information to your case is your behavior when you were pulled over and received your DUI charge. This comprises the amount of evidence they have proving that you were drunk, and sometimes it is weak and other times it is strong. Here are some forms this evidence comes in.

• Your speech changes, such as when you slur it or when you switch your words around and end up speaking nonsense.
• Your driving is wild, such as when you go in one lane and out the other, drive with your lights off, go over or under the speed limit, or just act weird in general.
• You appear as if you are drunk or have been drinking, such as if your clothes smell like alcohol, your eyes are red, and you are otherwise messed up looking.
• When the police officer asks you to perform a simple task, such as walk in a straight line or sing your alphabet, you don’t do it right.
• When asked how much you have had to drink, you answer with a number that doesn’t make you sound good.
• You are given a test for BAC, such as a blood test, and your level comes out over the legal limit.

Not everybody has the chance to get the services of a DUI lawyer in St Petersburg Florida for their case, but if you have even the slightest chance you should try. However, there are different levels of effort you can put, and while on one hand you may be in jail for a long time simply because you couldn’t get a lawyer to represent you, there are other times when you may come out of it just fine.

• You’re in trouble if you don’t hire a DUI lawyer in St Petersburg Florida if…

You were charged with a DUI after serious accident; it’s even more important to get a lawyer if the accident included someone being injured or dying. Severe fines and consequences come the more charges you get, so if this is your third DUI charge (or past that even), then you’re in this category. If being unable to drive means being unable to perform the duties of your job.

• You might be in trouble if you don’t hire a DUI lawyer in St Petersburg Florida if…

Second time to be convicted for driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs. 100% times the regular DUI BAC level. A minor involved.

• You might not be in trouble if…

Having a DUI on your record will make it harder for you to get a job or a degree or certification. You need bonding for your work. You need someone to explain this to you.