Yes, a DUI is Worth Fighting in Florida

Under Florida law, driving or being in actual physical control of a motor vehicle while under the influence of alcohol or illicit drugs is prohibited. Unfortunately, a defendant convicted of DUI may be subject to lengthy imprisonment, huge fines, license suspension, a criminal record, and other life-altering consequences. In order to avoid any of these devastating punishments, hiring a reliable Florida criminal defense attorney is imperative to help fight your drunk driving charges.

The attorneys at Ruhl & Lux, P.A. are committed to offering comprehensive guidance and reliable representation to clients in their DUI cases. The legal team at the firm can investigate every aspect of your case, enlighten you about the potential penalties of a conviction, and craft a solid defense strategy to help fight these charges in pursuit of the most favorable outcome. Ruhl & Lux, P.A. proudly serves clients across Port Charlotte, Fort Myers, and Sarasota, Florida.

DUI Charges in Florida

According to Florida DUI laws, it is a crime to drive or be in actual physical control of a motor vehicle with either or both of the following is true:

• With a blood alcohol concentration (BAC) level of at least 0.08%, or
• While “under the influence” of alcohol or controlled substances.

On reasonable suspicion of impaired driving or driving while under the influence, a police officer may pull your vehicle over and ask you to take some DUI tests. Also, you may be arrested and taken to the station where your breath and blood samples will be collected for chemical testing.

Depending on the outcome of your test, you may be arraigned before a judge and charged with DUI. A highly-skilled Florida DUI defense attorney can enlighten you about the nature of your charges and the potential penalties and consequences.

Possible Penalties for a DUI in Florida

According to the most recent FBI data, there were about 32,127 DUI arrests in Florida in 2019. A DUI conviction in Florida may result in far-reaching punishments. Depending on the defendant’s criminal history, number of prior DUI convictions, and other surrounding circumstances, a drunk driving charge could result in any of these penalties:

• Massive fines and court fees
• Prison sentence (ranging from several months or years)
• Probation
• Community service
• An ignition interlock device
• Compulsory attendance at alcohol treatment, drug abuse, or driver’s intervention program

Some other consequences of a drunk driving conviction include:

• A criminal record/history
• Loss of scholarships or university acceptance
• Increased difficulty in getting government assistance or public benefits
• Increased difficulty in getting accommodation or employment
• Increased difficulty in getting educational opportunities
• Deterioration of personal and professional relationships
• Increased auto insurance premiums
• Ineligibility to obtain certain financial loans
• Loss of your rights to own or possess firearms

Due to the devastating nature of these penalties and ramifications, it is extremely important that you fight your DUI allegations. A strategic defense counsel can evaluate all of the facts of your case, explore your possible legal defenses, and offer you the effective representation you need to fight your charges.

Possible Defense Strategy

When facing drunk driving accusations in Florida, your attorney can help fight these false charges using any of the following legal defenses:

• The law enforcement officer lacked probable cause to pull your vehicle over;
• The field sobriety test was incorrectly administered;
• Unlawful stop or procedures;
• Falsely high BAC results due to health conditions or taking certain medications;
• There is no evidence that the alleged defendant was in actual physical control of the car;
• The Breathalyzer or breath test device was erroneously calibrated;
• The blood or breath test results were incorrect;
• The DUI test result was false positive;
• Improper interrogation or Miranda rights violations;
• Violations of the rules of evidence and procedure;
• The blood test wasn’t properly handled in the chain of custody;
• The offender’s civil rights were violated by the arresting officer;
• Your driving wasn’t impaired, or you weren’t intoxicated.

A seasoned criminal defense lawyer can step in quickly and determine the ideal defenses to maximize your chances of achieving the best possible outcome for your unique circumstances.

It’s Worth It to Fight a DUI Charge

A DUI conviction in Florida might likely jeopardize your personal reputation, quality of life, driving record, freedom, eligibility for public benefits, and career. However, there are several things that could have caused the DUI tests to give false results. When you face drunk driving charges, you need to retain a strategic DUI defense lawyer to protect your driving privileges.

The attorneys at Ruhl & Lux, P.A. have the diligence and expertise to protect individuals wrongfully charged with DUI from the worst possible punishments. Using their in-depth knowledge, they can help you navigate the Florida criminal justice system. The reliable team at the firm will fight aggressively to defend your rights and help keep your driving record as clean as possible.

Fighting your DUI charges is crucial to protect your future and driving privileges. Contact Ruhl & Lux, P.A. today to schedule a simple case evaluation with trusted criminal defense lawyers. They can offer you the reliable guidance and dedicated representation you need. The firm proudly serves clients across Port Charlotte, Fort Myers, and Sarasota, Florida.