Clearwater DUI Attorney
Drunk Driving Defense in Florida
Driving under the influence (DUI) of drugs and/or alcohol is one of the most dangerous things a person can do. Yet, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), about one in three traffic fatalities in the U.S. involve a drunk driver, and in Florida such incidences are common enough to be considered a serious problem.
If you have been charged with a DUI in Florida, or if you caused a car accident while under the influence of alcohol or drugs, you may be feeling embarrassed, frightened, or confused.
Chances are you didn’t mean any harm when you got behind the wheel after drinking or doing drugs and simply made a mistake that thousands of other drivers make annually.
Our Clearwater DUI Attorney
At Idrizi Law Group, our Clearwater DUI attorneys understand that these cases can be trying for both sides. We will fight for your right to a fair trial and defend you in court to ensure that you receive the lightest sentence possible for your DUI.
Contact us now to speak with a Clearwater DUI defense attorney to get started.
Florida DUI laws
State law concerning driving under the influence is defined in Florida Statute 316.193 as it relates to anyone “driving or in actual physical control of a vehicle” in the state.
In Florida, a motorist can get a DUI if they are operating a motor vehicle while:
- Under the influence of alcoholic beverages, chemical substances, or controlled substances to the extent that their normal level of functionality is impaired. Under the influence of alcoholic beverages, chemical substances, or controlled substances to the extent that their normal faculties are impaired.
- Having a blood-alcohol content (BAC) or breath-alcohol level of .08 or higher
- Under the influence of any amount of alcohol if under 21 years of age (“zero tolerance”)
DUI arrests in Florida can also occur if you attempt to operate a vessel under the influence of alcoholic beverages or chemical or controlled substance to the extend that your normal faculties are impaired.
Punishments for Drunk Driving in Florida
If you are convicted of a DUI in Florida, you will be placed on probation, which will be combined with some sort of community service as well as a mandatory substance abuse course. You could also have to pay a fine worth between $500 and $4000 and lose your license temporarily or even permanently.
Depending on whether your drunk driving caused any injuries or if you have a prior history of criminal activity, you could face jail time, too.
Penalties for Florida DUI convictions break down as follows:
- First offense, BAC below.12: Adjudication of Guilt, court costs and fines, up to 12 months of probation, 6 months to 1 year driver’s license revocation, up to 6 month of jail time, 10 day impound of vehicle, DUI School, Victim Impact Panel Course, Alcohol evaluation and treatment, 50 hours of community service, No alcohol, bar or clubs permitted, investigative costs.
- First offense, BAC above .12 or if a person less than the age of 18 years of age is in the vehicle: Adjudication of Guilt, court costs and fines, up to 12 months of probation, 6 months to 1 year driver’s license revocation, up to 9 month of jail time, 10 day impound of vehicle, DUI School, Victim Impact Panel Course, Alcohol evaluation and treatment, 50 hours of community service, No alcohol, bar or clubs permitted, investigative costs, interlock device
- Second DUI within 5 years of first DUI, BAC below .12: Adjudication of Guilt, court costs and fines, up to 12 months of probation, 5 year driver’s license revocation, mandatory 10 days jail time and up to 9 months, 30 day impound of vehicle, Multiple Offender DUI School, Victim Impact Panel Course, Alcohol evaluation and treatment, Random urinalysis, No alcohol, bar or clubs permitted, investigative costs, interlock device.
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Second DUI within 5 years of first DUI, BAC above .12: Adjudication of Guilt, court costs and fines, up to 12 months of probation, 5 year driver’s license revocation, mandatory 10 days jail time and up to 12 months, 30 day impound of vehicle, Multiple Offender DUI School, Victim Impact Panel Course, Alcohol evaluation and treatment, Random urinalysis, No alcohol, bar or clubs permitted, investigative costs, interlock device.
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Second DUI outside of 5 years of first DUI, BAC below .12 or if person less than age of 18 years of age is in the vehicle: Adjudication of Guilt, court costs and fines, up to 12 months of probation, up to one year driver’s license revocation, up to 9 months jail, 10 day impound of vehicle, Multiple Offender DUI School, Victim Impact Panel Course, Alcohol evaluation and treatment, Random urinalysis, No alcohol, bar or clubs permitted, investigative costs, interlock device.
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Second DUI outside of 5 years of First DUI, BAC above .12 or if person less than age of 18 years of age is in the vehicle: Adjudication of Guilt, court costs and fines, up to 12 months of probation, up to one year driver’s license revocation, up to 12 months jail, 10 day impound of vehicle, Multiple Offender DUI School, Victim Impact Panel Course, Alcohol evaluation and treatment, Random urinalysis, No alcohol, bar or clubs permitted, investigative costs, interlock device.
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Third DUI within 10 years, BAC below .12: Adjudication of Guilt, Maximum court costs and fines, up to 12 months of probation, 10 year driver’s license revocation, mandatory 30 days of jail and up to 5 years, 90 day impound of vehicle, Multiple Offender DUI School, Victim Impact Panel Course, Alcohol evaluation and treatment, Random urinalysis, No alcohol, bar or clubs permitted, investigative costs, interlock device.
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Third DUI within 10 years, BAC above .12: Adjudication of Guilt, Maximum court costs and fines, up to 12 months of probation, 10 year driver’s license revocation, mandatory 30 days of jail and up to 5 years, 90 day impound of vehicle, Multiple Offender DUI School, Victim Impact Panel Course, Alcohol evaluation and treatment, Random urinalysis, No alcohol, bar or clubs permitted, investigative cost, interlock device.
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Third DUI outside of 10 years, BAC below .12: Adjudication of Guilt, court costs and fines, up to 12 months of probation, up to one year driver’s license revocation, up to 12 months jail, 10 day impound of vehicle, Multiple Offender DUI School, Victim Impact Panel Course, Alcohol evaluation and treatment, Random urinalysis, No alcohol, bar or clubs permitted, investigative costs, interlock device.
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Third DUI outside of 10 years, BAC above .12: Adjudication of Guilt, court costs and fines, up to 12 months of probation, up to one year driver’s license revocation, up to 12 months jail, 10 day impound of vehicle, Multiple Offender DUI School, Victim Impact Panel Course, Alcohol evaluation and treatment, Random urinalysis, No alcohol, bar or clubs permitted, investigative costs, interlock device.
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Fourth DUI: Adjudication of Guilt, court costs and fines, up to 12 months of probation, permanent driver’s license revocation, up to 5 years jail, variable amounts of days for impoundment of vehicle, Multiple Offender DUI School, Victim Impact Panel Course, Alcohol evaluation and treatment, Random urinalysis, No alcohol, bar or clubs permitted, investigative costs, interlock device.
Penalties for Operating a vessel under the influence:
By a fine of:
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a. Not less than $500 or more than $1,000 for a first conviction.
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b. Not less than $1,000 or more than $2,000 for a second conviction; and
By imprisonment for:
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a. Not more than 6 months for a first conviction.
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b. Not more than 9 months for a second conviction.
DUI charges that involve a car crash resulting in property damage, bodily injury, and/or fatalities will be more severely punished.
Avoid DUI Penalties. Call us Today!
Your best chance to avoid or mitigate penalties for driving under the influence is to hire an experienced DUI attorney lawyer who has both prosecuted and defended those accused of drunk driving.
Attorney Shpresa Idrizi of Idrizi Law Group possesses the skills, legal knowledge, and dedication to provide effective, quality representation for all of your legal needs. Don't wait, contact our DUI attorney in Clearwater, FL today for the best defense lawyer near you.
Call us anytime at (727) 202-5499 to find out how we can defend you against a DUI charge.
Hear From Our Past Clients
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Very grateful for their support.
“I had so much stress and worry lifted by Ms. Idrizi after my car accident. She was sure to explain everything that I needed to know and make me feel at ease through the process. Very grateful for their support and assistance during a really tough time!”
- Brynn R. -
CPA
“Personable, Knowledgeable, and a True Professional”
- Jeremy -
Mortgage Broker
“Her character and work ethic are second to none.”
- Kurt -
Best Attorney in Florida
“Shpresa is an amazing attorney and really keeps the interest of her clients first and foremost. Her attention to detail makes her the best in the industry! She knows the law and always treats her clients with complete professionalism but with a very person”
- Former Client -
She knows the law!
“You won't find more committed, compassionate, and dedicated legal representation than Shpresa Idrizi. As a former state prosecutor, she knows the law! Whether you've been injured in an accident due to ...”
- Steve C.
Settlements & Verdicts
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275,000 No Witnesses No Property Damage
Even after all the witnesses denied seeing a collision between the defendant’s and our client’s vehicles causing our client to drive into oncoming traffic and investigative pictures depicting no damage to the defendant’s vehicle whatsoever, Idrizi Law Group fought hard to recover policy limits amounting to $275,000.00 for our client.
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$250,000 Serious Injuries
In May 2018 we recovered the bodily injury policy limits of $200,000 and the underinsured policy limits of $50,000 for both the driver and passenger of the crashed vehicle.
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$200,000 Hit & Run Victim
Client was using the Clearwater Beach roundabout when a distracted driver collided with him and left the scene of the accident.
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$161,000 Serious Injuries
In October of 2016, our clients were involved in a motor vehicle accident that results in spinal injuries to the driver.
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$150,000 Serious Injuries
The at-fault party was looking at the accident across the street instead of the traffic in front of him and hit our client without braking at a speed of over 50 MPH.
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$150,000 DUI Victim
Due to the velocity of the at-fault party’s vehicle, the victim’s car was forced to collide with the other vehicles stopped in front of her. The impact our client suffered caused injuries that required significant treatment for recovery.
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$125,000 High Speed Collision
Our client was awarded the bodily injury policy limit of $25,000 and was also awarded the underinsured motorist policy limit of $100,000.
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$110,000 Side Impact Collision Resulting in Whiplash
Our client was traveling at a legal speed when another car exiting a shopping plaza negligently collided with the passenger’s side of our client’s vehicle.
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$100,000 Severe Injuries
In June 2020, Idrizi Law Group demanded the policy limit for our client who experienced whiplash, substantial lower back injuries, and nerve damage which caused numbness to his fingers in both hands.
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$100,000 Serious Injuries
This amount is the maximum bodily injury policy limits the at-fault driver had available. We were happy to see her medical care resolve her extensive injuries requiring back surgery.
