Do I need an attorney in Florida for my DUI case or can I just represent myself?

Sean

Thank you for asking Sean.

Yes, you can actually represent yourself — although I don’t think its a good idea. It is like a doctor doing an appendectomy on himself.

Driving while Intoxicated (DWI) is a very complex field with increasingly severe consequences. There is a minefield of complicated constitutional, procedural, evidential, sentencing and administrative license issues.

A qualified and experienced DWI attorney, however, can review the case for defects, have the court suppress evidence, compel discovery of such things as calibration and maintenance records for the breath machine, negotiate for a lesser charge or reduced sentence, have blood samples independently analyzed, obtain expert witnesses for trial, contest the administrative license suspension, etc. It is possible that you end up pleading guilty on a case that might have been dismissed.

Goodluck!

MariCAR

How much does it cost to hire a lawyer in a DWI case in Florida?

Cecille

Thank you for asking Cecille.

It will actually depend on the lawyer you hire in Florida. One lawyer may charge you $200 and another may charge you with $5000 for the very same DWI case. Other times the representation you get from Florida lawyers will vary accordingly, but not always. You should be very careful of lawyers who seem to be charging you too little because there may be additional fees for court appearances and other services that he may charge you. You should also be concerned about any lawyer who charges you a high retainer fee without consideration of what really needs to be accomplished in your DUI case.

The best thing to do is to visit several Florida lawyers and spend some time discussing your case. In a face to face meeting you will be able to get a sense of their dedication and concern for your case. A phone call will not reveal this. Make plans on spending more for a lawyer who has experience, training and has an excellent reputation as a trial lawyer. With that type of attorney, you are likely to get what you pay for. You will not know whether a Florida lawyer is right for you unless you meet him and see how he responds to your concerns.

Hire a lawyer who specializes in DWI cases in Florida if your income allows it. This lawyer will be able to give you solid information on what to expect in terms of cost.

Goodluck!

MariCAR

I am about to join the career world, and what confuses me is that why are there different car insurance rates for different kinds of people. Are there any determiners to know how these car insurance rates different from one another here in Florida?

Leo

Hialeah, FL

Apparently, there are many different car insurance rates in a variety of status in life. Car Insurance Companies think about your age, gender and marital status, as well as your driving record and your car model. And of course, as years passed by, they are taking consideration with more information about us, our college degree, our profession, our debts. Here in Florida, the law nearly forbidden the use of our college diploma and what career we have chosen to determine our rates but unfortunately it didn’t prosper.

Long ago, car insurance rates are the same but some insurers offered lower rates to those who live in the country for there are fewer accidents in the country but then after, everybody put their names living in the country. That’s the reason why nowadays they have to check your personal records. It is just fair for a citizen to pay a car insurance rates they can afford. And were not only talking about affordability but also they have to check your age for younger and too old drivers cause more accidents that those in middle age. Car Insurance Companies are making sure that they only give what one can afford and deserve.

Tags: car insurance, car insurance company, car insurance rates

How come they say that the type of car that I drive here in Florida can affect my car insurance rates? If I drive an older model, less valuable car, will I be able to save on my insurance?

LaMarcus

Orlando, FL

The Highway Loss Data Institute usually records information about accidents data for the most types of vehicles. A lot of car insurance providers use this kind of information to determine the premiums of your car insurance in Florida. For instance, if the vehicle that you own would cost a lot to repair or replace, the insurance provider would have to spend more in case you get into an accident. On the other hand, if the vehicle you own is exceptionally safe and could protect the passengers very well, the insurance provider won’t have to spend as much if you get into an accident.

Also, if you drive an older model, less-valuable car, you can definitely save on your car insurance premiums. This type of vehicle is less likely to be stolen, so the insurance provider won’t have to spend too much to replace it. In addition, older model vehicles will not cost too much to repair in the event of an accident. Another reason is that you may opt to drop the comprehensive and collision coverage on your car insurance policy since you are driving a less valuable vehicle, thus saving you some money. It won’t probably make sense to pay extra for these types of coverage because you may pay more for that coverage than to replace or repair your car.

Tags: car insurance, car insurance premium, car insurance rates, cheap auto insurance

I’ll get a new car for my brother here in Gainesville, Florida which I will help him insure as well. They say that the price of the vehicle would affect the insurance costs. So that I may have to consider that issue as well, could you explain how can this happen?

Taine

Gainesville, FL

Prior to purchasing a new car in Gainesville, Florida for your brother, you must always consider all of the expenses that are involved with obtaining a new car such as gas, taxes and auto insurance. The price of the car that you will purchase would have an influential outcome on the auto insurance rates. A type of vehicle which may be considered luxurious with all the safety features would normally cost more to insure than a simple economy car. The reason behind this is that because they are more expensive vehicles, they could be more expensive to repair as well after an accident. These types of vehicles are the ones which are more prone to theft.

Aside from looking at the features of the new automobile, you would also have to do some background research. Auto insurance rates are based in part on the cost of the automobile which would have effects on the replacement amount if the vehicle is stolen or “totalled” in case of an accident. The amount of the repair for the car, including the parts and labor could also influence the car insurance rates. Moreover, surcharges could also apply to automobiles that are more prone to theft.

Tags: auto insurance, car, car insurance rate

My father who is already a senior citizen needs to have car insurance here in Brandon, Florida. How can I find the best and at the same time the cheapest car insurance that best fit him?

Jack

Brandon, FL

Brandon, Florida really has a big population therefore there are also many car insurance companies that bids good Insurance policies. In which, it is hard to choose which one will you get. There are actually many ways to avail the cheapest Car Insurance and there’s a big possibility to get a policy that’s best fit you.

There are a lot of means for you to find the cheapest Car Insurance which includes having a good record for a long period of time and the additional of safety features to your car. The more safety measures you have the lower the rate you will get. And as for the senior citizens there are also ways. Especially in Florida which population is a majority of Senior Citizens, the only thing they need to do is to go to and take a mature driving course. And when this course is done they can surely get lower rates for the next three years as what the state authorizes. And of course you have to have a clean driver’s record for this means that you are a safe and careful driver. Not only you have to get a mature driving course but also you should have gotten a clean record since you’ve driven for you have an enormous discount Senior Citizen or not.

Tags: car insurance, cheapest auto insurance, senior citizen car insurance

It’s my first time to buy a car insurance of my own and I’m pretty much excited about it. How would I know if I have the right insurance agent to help me choose a car insurance policy here in Plantation, Florida?

Nash

Plantation, FL

In choosing the best policy for your car insurance in Plantation, Florida, you need to select a car insurance agent that would listen to you and answer any queries you may have. Of course, you would do business with a company that does not mind at all to take up time with you to be able to help you learn about your car insurance policy. The agent from the car insurance company who would not rush you through making decisions about your car insurance policy is exactly the one you need. This insurance agent would explain to you what type of coverage you have to go with. He/she would help make sure that you do not purchase too much or too little insurance.

So once you have your first car insurance policy ever with the help of a good insurance agent, you have to look at the future. All the things that you do from now on could help you lessen your premium rates once you have to renew your car insurance policy. You should maintain a spotless driving record as much as possible. This is something that a car insurance provider would always be interested in. Always be a safe driver and update your insurance agent on any kind of changes in your life that can affect your car insurance policy.

Tags: car insurance, car insurance policy

We are finding police mistakes so that we can use it as a defense in my DUI case in Florida. What are the things that police officers should do or say during a DUI arrest?

Jayda

Boynton Beach, FL

Police officers are required to follow certain procedures during the course of a DUI investigation. Failure of the police to do so could lead to the dismissal of your DUI case in Boynton Beach, Florida. What we usually refer to as “loophole” or “technicality” with your DUI defense is actually a way of using the constitution to protect your rights. An experienced DUI lawyer has spent years in developing techniques that are designed to dismantle the toughest DUI cases.

There are certain things that police officers do or say that could dramatically impact the outcome of your DUI case. First off is with regard to the DUI stop wherein the police officer should have a probable cause to pull you over. The officer should also observe you for 20 minutes prior to administering the breath test. Another police mistake that can be used as a possible defense in your DUI case is if the officer failed to tell you that your driver’s license would automatically be suspended if you refused a breath test. The officer should have also conducted the field sobriety tests on a surface that was flat, dry and well-lit. All of these and more, if proven by your DUI lawyer, could be very significant in your DUI defense.

I want to know how many days do I have to pay my ticket and attend a traffic school for my DWI conviction in Florida?

Kylie

Lakeland, FL

In Florida State you have 30 days to pay the ticket and contact the Clerk of Courts in the county where you received your citation for a DWI offense. You must either pay the fees, request for an extension or inform them that you are going to court to fight your case. I recommend that you take the traffic school first before paying the fines that will permit you to pay your traffic ticket (less 18% discount) and provide a copy of your traffic school certificate of completion to the court as a completed package.

However, the State of Florida does permit you to pay the ticket first (less 18% discount) and then you will get an additional 30 to 60 days to go to a traffic school, depending on which county you received your citation. I strongly encourage you to check with the Clerk of Courts in that county to find out the time you are permitted after paying your ticket.

After you pay your ticket you have 60 days in some counties and 90 days in other counties to complete your course and submit your certificate of completion. For verification of compliance, check with the Clerks office in that county. After you receive your certificate of completion of the traffic school course, you must show proof of completion to the Clerk of Court’s office in the county in which you received your citation. Remember, if you choose to take a traffic school class and take the 18% fine reduction, you must attend a traffic school and complete the class before your due date.

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.