Pinellas County DUI Charges And Penalties For A Conviction
DUI charges in Pinellas County can impact every area of your life, jeopardizing your reputation in the community, your financial security, your driving privileges, and your freedom. Whether it’s your first arrest for DUI in Florida or you have prior convictions, it is important to understand the consequences. Our Clearwater DUI attorney explains what can happen if you get pulled over and how prior offenses can impact your case.
Penalties For A First DUI Conviction in Pinellas County
Under the Florida Statutes, driving with a blood alcohol content (BAC) of over .08 percent or with any amount of alcohol or drugs in your system is against the law. The court has some discretion in applying penalties, but the statutory ranges are strict. For a first DUI in Pinellas County, you could face:
- Fines up to $1,000, or up to $2,000 if your BAC is .15 or higher if a minor is in the car;
- Up to 6 months in jail (9 months if aggravated circumstances apply);
- Driver’s license suspension from six months to a year;
- Mandatory DUI education classes and possible substance abuse treatment;
- Vehicle impoundment for 10 days;
- Community service requirements.
These penalties can disrupt your family, your job, and your ability to drive. Even with a first DUI, you could also be facing a permanent criminal record, impacting your ability to get jobs, housing, or loans in the future.
Repeat Convictions Carry Increased DUI Penalties In Pinellas County
Florida Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles lists harsh penalties for DUI offenses, which increase sharply for repeat offenders. Judges have far less flexibility when imposing a sentence if you have prior convictions, and mandatory jail time becomes more likely. Penalties for a second DUI within five years of your first may include:
- Fines from $1,000 to $2,000, or up to $4,000 if a minor was present or you had a BAC of .15 or higher;
- Up to one year in prison, depending on the circumstances;
- Driver’s license revocation for at least five years;
- Mandatory DUI education and follow-up treatment;
- Vehicle impoundment for 30 days.
A third DUI in Pinellas County or subsequent offenses within 10 years of the first are felony offenses in Florida. This means you could face up to five years or longer in prison, thousands in court costs and fines, and up to a 10-year suspension or complete revocation of your driver’s license.
Contact Our Experienced Pinellas County DUI Lawyer to Protect Your Future
The best way to limit DUI penalties in Pinellas County is to build a strong legal defense from the start. At The Reep Law Firm, we look closely at every detail, from the reason for the traffic stop to the accuracy of breath or blood testing. The sooner you contact us after an arrest, the more options you may have.
To protect your future, get the professional legal help you need. Call or contact us online today to schedule a consultation with our experienced Pinellas County DUI attorney.
Sources:
leg.state.fl.us/statutes/index.cfm?App_mode=Display_Statute&URL=0300-0399/0316/Sections/0316.193.html
flhsmv.gov/driver-licenses-id-cards/education-courses/dui-and-iid/florida-dui-administrative-suspension-laws/
