Weinstein Legal > Criminal Defense > Driving Under the Influence (DUI)

Hiring an Experienced Attorney for a DUI Charge

Experienced defense attorney in Florida for DUI charge

Dui defense attorney Florida

Have you been arrested or charged for drunk driving in Florida? You could face hefty fines, license suspension, and jail time, even if it is your first offense. The decisions you make immediately after your arrest will determine whether or not you get a DUI conviction and the severity of your penalty.

You only have TEN days from the date of your DUI arrest to appeal the suspension of your driver’s license.

This means that the first thing you should do is contact a DUI defense lawyer immediately. As a former prosecutor with years of experience, DUI attorney Matt Shafran will aggressively fight for your rights. He will stop at nothing to get the best outcome possible for you. When your driving privileges and future are on the line, there’s no time to waste. Call Florida DUI defense attorney near you, Matt Shafran, at 561-931-6687 right away.

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Call DUI Attorney Matt Shafran Now! 561-931-6687

“…Matthew was very good, all my charges were dropped and I never set foot inside a court room. I was arrested for DUI, I refused the field sobriety test, blew .05 on the breathelizer, and refused a urine test. After I hired Matthew, the damaged stopped. Best case scenario outcome….” – anonymous

Finding a DUI Lawyer in Florida

We know how stressful it can be when you are arrested and facing DUI/DWI charges. You don’t have to go at it alone. But beware, not every criminal defense lawyer is an experienced DUI lawyer. At Weinstein Legal, our DUI lawyers are here to help with the necessary training and experience to fight your DUI case.

We understand your situation and are ready to mount an aggressive defense to get the best result possible. When he was a prosecutor, Partner Matt Shafran used to make decisions on how to file and if the State of Florida should file criminal charges for DUI and related offenses.

Areas in Florida We Represent

When you are charged with a DUI, seek the legal assistance of a criminal defense attorney near me immediately. We understand Florida DUI laws and represent individuals in Broward County, Miami-Dade County, and Palm Beach County including the following areas:

Boca Raton
Boynton Beach
Coral Springs
Delray Beach
Fort Lauderdale
Hollywood
Lake Worth
Palm Beach Gardens
Pembroke Pines
Plantation
Pompano Beach
Wellington
West Palm Beach
Orlando

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Penalties for Drunk Driving in Florida

Drunk driving is a serious crime, and Florida law treats it as such. The crime is known as a DUI (driving under the influence) but is sometimes called a DWI (driving while intoxicated). While these names are often used interchangeably, the official term in Florida is DUI.

According to Florida Statutes § 316.1932, a first-time DUI charge, with no enhanced breath or blood level, and that did not involve a crash, may incur one or more of the following penalties:

more than 6 months maximum jail time
$500 to $1000 fine
6-12 months probation
50 hours of community service

DUI school and treatment
10 day vehicle immobilization/car impoundment
Ignition interlock device
6-12 months driver’s license suspension

As the charge gets more serious, so do the penalties. If you have prior DUI convictions, you are considered a multiple offender. The fine amount goes up considerably, and jail time could be as much as 9 months or more, depending on your blood alcohol level and number of offenses. You may also receive mandatory probation and the suspension of your license.

If your blood alcohol level is higher than .15, you will have to install an ignition interlock on any car you drive for six months. An ignition interlock is attached to your car’s starter. You must blow into the device to make sure that there is no alcohol on your breath before starting the vehicle. The car won’t start if the device detects alcohol. In addition, you must pay an installation fee and monthly fee while the device is in your car.

If you are convicted of two DUIs within a 5 year period, it’s a MANDATORY suspension of your driver’s license for five years, and your car will be impounded for an enhanced period of time. Additionally, there is mandatory jail time, however, sometimes an experienced defense attorney can negotiate inpatient treatment in lieu of jail. You can get up to a year in jail, depending on your blood alcohol level at the time of your arrest and other factors.

A third DUI is an extremely serious charge and you can be charged with a misdemeanor or even a felony after your third or subsequent arrest for DUI. If you have four DUI’s, you are likely going to be charged with a felony no matter how much time has lapsed between charges. You may incur fines up to $5,000 and five years of jail time. And your driver’s license will be permanently revoked if convicted. These are just some of the severe consequences of felony DUI charges.

Types of DUI/DWI Charges

Florida has many types of DUI categories charges. Understanding these Florida DUI laws is crucial. The type of DUI charge depends on different factors, such as:

If you have a prior DUI offense
Your blood alcohol level
The length of time between any prior DUI arrest dates and conviction dates

If someone was killed or injured during the incident
If there was property damage resulting from the incident

Once these factors are taken into consideration, the State will bring the corresponding charge against you. DUI/DWI charges fall into these general categories:

Multiple DUI
Felony DUI
DUI/DWI with Serious Bodily Injury
Aggravated DUI
Prescription Drug DUI/DUI with Prescription Drugs

DUI and Marijuana
DUI with Property Damage
DUI Manslaughter
Commercial Vehicle DUI/CDL DUI
DUI under the Age of 21/Zero Tolerance
BUI/Boating Under the Influence

Getting a DUI in Florida: What You Need to Know

Have you been pulled over by law enforcement after drinking alcohol? Here’s what to know ahead of time so you know your rights and what is required of you by law.

What Are Florida’s Implied Consent Laws?

Florida’s Implied Consent Law, detailed in Statute 316.1932, states:

“Any person who accepts the privilege extended by the laws of this state of operating a motor vehicle within this state is, by so operating such vehicle, deemed to have given his or her consent to submit to an approved chemical test or physical test including, but not limited to, an infrared light test of his or her breath for the purpose of determining the alcoholic content of his or her blood or breath if the person is lawfully arrested for any offense allegedly committed while the person was driving or was in actual physical control of a motor vehicle while under the influence of alcoholic beverages.”

To summarize, when you accepted the privilege of a license to drive in the state of Florida, you agreed to submit to a lawful request to undergo a blood or breath test to determine the alcohol content in your blood. To refuse to do so results in a mandatory license suspension.

Drunk Driving Charge in Florida: Your Best Defense

When it comes to figuring out your best defense against a charge of drunk driving, the experienced Florida DUI lawyers at Weinstein Legal will examine every possible detail of your case to determine the best course of action. The right defense depends on a number of factors, including whether or not this is your first DUI offense in Florida, and examining if any errors were made on the side of law enforcement during the arrest.

While Florida DUI laws are immensely complex for an average person to understand, you can be assured that the experienced team at Weinstein legal is well-versed in what the law does and does not say, and will ensure you are not taken advantage of and that your future driving rights are protected.

Best Defense for DUI Cases

When we take your case, our team will explore all your defense options. We will thoroughly investigate the circumstances of your DUI arrest to determine if:

The police had probable cause to stop you in the first place
A field sobriety test was administered correctly
The breath test equipment was properly calibrated and on a regular maintenance schedule
Factors such as prescription drugs or health problems like diabetes affect your driving behavior

The information found during these investigations could make the difference between a dismissal or reduced charges and conviction. Our team is well-versed in the complexity of DUI/DWI and felony defense for DUIs. We know how to present a convincing case or make the best plea deal possible for your unique circumstances.

“Matt and his firm made the process so smooth and eased me through the entire case. You literally get more than you retain with them. I could never imagine calling anyone else if I should ever need.” – K.S. – Prior Client

South Florida DUI Resources

Florida Statutes: A collection of Florida’s state laws organized by subject area. The statutes are set up into a code made up of titles, chapters, parts, and sections.

Working with an Experienced DUI Lawyer Near Me

When someone is facing a DUI charge, we know the experience can be overwhelming, emotional, and incredibly confusing. You can be assured the experienced DUI defense team at Weinstein Legal will provide you with clear advice, ask you the right questions to understand your case, and provide you with an aggressive and passionate defense that leaves no stone unturned. We have three offices serving South and Central Florida:

If you have been charged with a DUI in Florida, don’t hesitate — contact the experienced DUI attorneys near you at Weinstein Legal immediately so we can begin the process of helping you rebuild your life.

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*Exclusions apply. Only specific circumstances will qualify.

Medical

Matthew helped us through a long process, we were stuck, held hostage by a system that truly falls short when it comes to patient rights. I’m still baffled how a medical professional (term used loosely) can influence so many, manipulate and down right lie. We found ourselves against all odds. I am not saying my child didn’t have a breakdown. What I will say is that if I was in so much abdominal pain, had heart issues and was going to be strapped down, my rights taken away, held hostage for 10 days, I and no one I know could have maintained a even a small sense of sanity. But she did. Matthew and his team made calls and were very persistent. In this hour of need and when this “medical pro...

BrendaK

THC OIL Possession Felony Charge

Mat was such a relief to our family! My son got a felony for possession of THC oil, I immediately started looking for legal assistance and was blessed to find Mathew Shafran. He responded the same day, always kept us abreast of the process, and although my son lives in a different city, he drove a few hours to attend court with my son, and was able to negotiate a pre-trial diversion program and drop the felony charges to misdemeanor charges. Thank you Mathew!!

Paula

Best Lawyer ever

Mathew did an amazing job in court. Mathew is really eloquent and smart. His performance in court was outstanding and gave me a big victory. he really cares and goes beyond 100% to help his clients. He is the best !!

Claudia

A responsive, knowledgeable and skilled attorney

We called after our son was arrested for a crime he committed nearly 9 months earlier. We received a return call in minutes and Matt was able to visit our son a few hours later after finishing representing other clients in court. Our son was distraught and frightened and Matt was very reassuring and supportive. Matt provided knowledgeable advice regarding bond arrangements suggesting he get back into his routine immediately since he had been doing so well. He was also very reassuring to us, the distressed parents, and always provided an almost immediate response to our questions and concerns. Our son had been in substance abuse treatment for almost ...

Sheryl

Best Lawyer for student at the U

My son, a student at the University of Miami, was facing 2 serious drug related felonies. We contacted our attorney in the state where we live and he recommended Matt to us. Once I reached out to Matt he was back in touch within the hour. He explained to my husband and I what my son was facing. Matt was available throughout the process for consultations with both my son and his parents. Ultimately, Matt was able to negotiate a pretrial diversion program where all charges will be dismissed once my son has completed a 6 month program.

CCH

Fantastic Experience!

Justin was referred to me by a friend who had been represented by him and enthusiastically encouraged me to connect with him when I was wary of pursuing legal action. My reservations were quickly eased during my initial consultation. Justin is an absolute professional and took the time I needed to explain the process and his role thoroughly. His sincerity, empathy and commitment to advocating on my behalf were apparent. Throughout, he maintained consistent communication each step of the way until my case was resolved. I would recommend Justin without reservation to anyone seeking representation.

Jessica