Will I be able to get a job with a DUI on my record?

It is true that a DUI may affect your options and ability to secure employment in some industries.  Some government jobs or other industries do not allow those convicted of misdemeanors or felonies to hold employment with them. Most employment applications include a section asking whether the applicant has been convicted of a misdemeanor or felony.  If you encounter this or a similar question, it is always in your best interests to answer honestly.  Many employers perform background checks on th
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Why should I hire a DUI defense lawyer?

A good DUI lawyer is not cheap, and cannot guarantee a particular outcome.  So, why should you commit to such a significant cost?  Well for starters, a DUI conviction can be an extremely costly endeavor.  In addition to the statutory penalties explicitly stated in the law, there are many hidden costs that result from a DUI conviction.  A judge may assess mandatory alcohol treatment or driving programs, at 100% cost to the defendant. Auto insurance companies treat DUI’s with severity.  A DUI conv
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What should I do if I am arrested on a DUI charge?

A DUI charge does not translate to a conviction.  After you have been arrested and charged with a DUI, by taking certain measures you increase your chances of disputing your charge in a court or negotiating your charge with prosecution.  The preparation that you begin now may become invaluable later on in the trial process. If the arresting officer has situated you in his cruiser and is driving you to the station for booking, you may find that they attempt to strike up conversation with you.  Wh
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How will a DUI affect my insurance?

As is the case with most traffic violations, a DUI conviction carries the risk of increasing your insurance premiums.  Because DUI is considered such a serious infraction, if convicted you may find yourself with rapidly increasing premiums over the next 5 years, in some cases up to 300% of what you had previously been paying.  In the worst case, your insurance company may choose to cancel your policy entirely, or to choose not to renew your policy once it expires. While you may seek out coverage
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How can a DUI Lawyer help my case?

Being charged with a DUI can be overwhelming, and many individuals are not equipped with the knowledge, time or other resources to successfully defend against these potentially damaging allegations.  A DUI attorney can provide invaluable assistance in navigating the complex legal process involved in a DUI, and secure a favorable outcome for your case. First and foremost, an experienced DUI lawyer can give you information.  With in-depth knowledge about local DUI laws, law enforcement and the loc
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Do I need a DUI lawyer for my case?

Although the benefits of hiring a DUI lawyer are apparent, some facing DUI charges remain skeptical of the necessity of hiring one.  Lawyers can be costly, and there is no guarantee that your chosen attorney will secure a favorable outcome. When deciding whether or not hiring a DUI lawyer is worthwhile, defendants will first consider the question of whether they should simply plead guilty to their charges.  Under some circumstances, an automatic plea of guilty may wind up being the easiest route
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What is the legal blood alcohol limit in Florida?

What constitutes the legal blood alcohol content (BAC) limit in Florida is dependent on certain characteristics of the driver.  For drivers under 21 (the legal age that one may consume alcohol), the BAC limit is .02%.  For individuals 21 and over, the limit is .08%.  For individuals operating a commercial vehicle, the legal limit is half the normal limit, or .04%. Individuals found in excess of the above limits will be charged with criminal DUI.  Sentencing guidelines in Florida vary based on th
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What happens if I am convicted of DUI?

If you are found guilty of a DUI, the court will assess penalties based on the state sentencing guidelines dictated by statute.  In Florida, if this is your first offense, you will be facing a maximum of 6 months in jail and a maximum fine of $1,000 (if your BAC is below .15).  Assuming you do not maintain a lengthy criminal record, it is likely that the judge will show leniency on your first offense and not assess significant jail time, however Florida law requires that an individual convicted
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Should I submit to a urine test?

If an individual is suspected of driving under the influence, the first chemical test the arresting officer will likely request is a breathalyzer.  However, if the suspect blows below the legal limit of .08 BAC but the arresting officer continues to suspect impairment, they may order a urine test.  Unlike a breathalyzer, which measures only the percent of alcohol in the blood stream, a urine test can be used to determine the presence of any potentially impairing substances in the body, including
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Should I submit to a blood test?

There is no straightforward answer to this question that can apply in all cases.  In general, if you were absolutely sure that you would pass such a test, it would likely be in your benefit to comply with law enforcement’s request for a blood test.  If you refuse, immediate penalties will be assessed on your driver’s license, regardless of whether you are found guilty of a DUI.  License suspension for an initial infraction in Florida is 6 months, and increases with each subsequent refusal to sub
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