SARASOTA DRUNK DRIVING LAW FIRM FOR DUI-RELATED CRIMES 

CHARGED WITH A CRIME IN ADDITION TO A DUI? CONTACT OUR SARASOTA DRUNK DRIVING LAW FIRM TODAY

While a standard first-time DUI charge is categorized as a “traffic violation” under Florida law, getting arrested for drunk driving can also lead to serious criminal charges. These charges could carry months or years of jail time and other penalties depending on the circumstances involved. If you have been charged with a DUI-related crime, you need experienced legal representation, and we strongly encourage you to contact our Sarasota drunk driving law firm right away.

WHAT ARE DUI-RELATED CRIMES IN FLORIDA?

Florida law establishes several DUI-related crimes. A conviction for any of the following can lead to penalties above and beyond those for a standard first-time DUI:

SECOND OR SUBSEQUENT DUI

If you already have one DUI on your record, getting a second DUI will subject you to enhanced penalties. If you are facing charges for a third DUI within 10 years of a prior conviction, you could be prosecuted for a third-degree felony. Potential penalties for a third DUI within 10 years include up to five years of incarceration and five years of probation, a 10-year driver’s license suspension, impoundment, community service, mandatory substance abuse treatment, and thousands of dollars in fines.

A fourth DUI within any amount of time is also a third-degree felony under Florida law. However, the penalties are more serious than those for third-time offenders. If you get convicted of a fourth DUI, you can permanently lose your driver’s license and face mandatory minimum penalties.

DUI WITH PROPERTY DAMAGE

If you cause an accident while driving under the influence, you can be charged with a DUI with property damage under Section 316.193(3)(c). You can face this charge regardless of how little damage you cause, as the law simply states that you must cause “damage to the property . . . of another.” DUI with property damage is a first-degree misdemeanor, punishable by up to 12 months in jail, 12 months of probation, a 12-month driver’s license suspension, fines and other penalties. This assumes your blood alcohol concentration (BAC) was below 0.15 percent. If your BAC was 0.15 percent or higher, you are subject to enhanced penalties.

DUI WITH BODILY INJURY OR SERIOUS BODILY INJURY

If you cause an accident that results in bodily injury to another person, this is also a first-degree misdemeanor offense. This could involve hitting another vehicle, a scooter or moped, or a bicyclist or pedestrian. If the accident results in “serious bodily injury to another,” you can be charged with a third-degree felony. Potential penalties include mandatory jail time (with a sentence of up to five years), five years of probation and $5,000 in fines, among others.

DUI MANSLAUGHTER

If you cause an accident that results in death, you can be charged with DUI manslaughter. This is a second-degree felony in most cases, but it can be prosecuted as a first-degree felony if you fled the scene of the accident.

When prosecuted as a second-degree felony, DUI manslaughter carries a mandatory minimum prison sentence of 10 and a half years. This can be reduced to four years in some cases. The maximum prison sentence is 15 years, and you can also face 15 years of probation, $10,000 in fines, permanent driver’s license revocation, and other penalties. When prosecuted as a first-degree felony, DUI manslaughter can potentially carry 30 years behind bars.