Navigating DUI Charges in the Florida Keys: What You Need to Know
If prosecutors charge you with driving under the influence (DUI) in the Florida Keys, you need to know the potential penalties and defenses. Even if this is your first DUI offense, a conviction can result in a fine, jail time, and a criminal record.
What is DUI?
Driving under the influence occurs when a person gets behind the wheel of a motor vehicle with a blood alcohol concentration (BAC) of 0.08 percent or higher. However, you can still be arrested and charged with DUI even if your BAC is below the legal limit. This is typically when officers and prosecutors believe that you were impaired by a controlled substance. The maximum penalties are the same upon conviction, regardless of the cause of the DUI.
DUI Penalties
The penalties for a DUI conviction in the Florida Keys vary depending on your number of prior offenses and if there were any aggravating factors present. Penalties you could face include:
- First Offense – A fine of between $500 and $1,000 and imprisonment for up to six months
- Second Offense – A fine of between $1,000 and $2,000, imprisonment for up to nine months, and at least one year of having an ignition interlock device (IID) installed in your vehicle
- Third Offense – A fine of between $2,000 and $5,000, imprisonment for up to five years, and at least two years of IID installation
- Fourth or Higher Offense – A fine of no less than $2,000, imprisonment for up to five years, and at least six months of IID installation on all vehicles the person jointly or individually owns and routinely operates
If you are licensed in Florida, you may also face revocation of your driver’s license. This can immediately impact your life, and can take place prior to being convicted. Penalties related to your license through the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicle (DHSMV) are separate and independent of the criminal process. The attorneys at Reed Palacios Law can assist you through the DHSMV’s administrative process to request a hardship license and potential reinstatement.
How a DUI Attorney Can Help
A DUI attorney may be able to get the evidence against you dismissed by arguing that:
- The police engaged in an unlawful stop
- The police improperly conducted the field sobriety tests
- The chemical tests were not accurate
Contact a Monroe County DUI Attorney
Contact Reed Palacios Law Offices for a free consultation if you’re facing DUI charges in the Florida Keys. We provide free consults, where we will review your case, explain the charges and penalties you’re facing, and discuss the available defenses.