DUI Defense

Most people focus entirely on the criminal charge and only find out later that they missed a deadline on their license. Both matter, and they run on different tracks with different rules.

The license deadline comes first

In Florida, an administrative suspension begins at the time of arrest, and there is only a short window, counted in days rather than weeks, to request a formal review hearing. That hearing is your chance to challenge the suspension and to hear the officer testify under oath, which can be useful for the criminal case as well. Miss the window and you generally lose the chance entirely. This is the single most time-sensitive thing after a DUI arrest.

What we look at in the criminal case

• The reason for the stop. An officer needs a lawful basis to pull you over in the first place.
• How the roadside exercises were given and scored. These tests have standardised instructions, and they are frequently administered incorrectly.
• The breath test machine: its maintenance records, its inspection history, and whether the operator was properly certified.
• Whether there is video, and whether the video actually matches what the report says.
• Medical conditions, injuries, fatigue, and other explanations for how you appeared.

Refusing the test

Refusing a breath test carries its own license consequences, and a second refusal can be charged as a separate crime. Refusal does not automatically mean the case against you is stronger or weaker. It changes what evidence exists, which changes the strategy.

First arrest

If this is your first DUI, there may be resolutions available that a second one would rule out, including reduced charges in appropriate cases. What is realistic depends on the breath reading, whether there was an accident, and how the stop was handled. We will tell you honestly which of those doors are open before you make any decision.

The consequences people forget

Beyond fines and possible jail, a DUI can bring vehicle immobilisation, an ignition interlock device, mandatory classes, a long probation term, and insurance costs that follow you for years. If you are not a United States citizen, a DUI can also affect immigration matters, particularly where drugs or a minor in the vehicle are involved. We look at both sides together rather than treating them as separate problems.