Sarasota DUI Lawyer

Sarasota DUI Attorney

In Sarasota, DUI convictions are both common and serious. Unfortunately, law enforcement efforts to deter repeat DUI offenders result in severe penalties for those convicted, such as lifelong consequences. Facing these charges is challenging without the assistance of a knowledgeable Sarasota DUI lawyer. A compassionate Sarasota criminal defense lawyer can provide essential guidance to navigate the complexities of DUI charges.

What Is a DUI?

In Sarasota, Driving Under the Influence (DUI) refers to impairment as a result of controlled substances, chemical substances, or alcoholic beverages. Law enforcement typically proves impairment of someone’s usual faculties (meaning you can’t drive safely), by testing their blood alcohol level (BAL) or their breath alcohol level of 0.08 or higher, or if a death is caused while under the influence.

Simply sitting in the driver’s seat with the keys inside the ignition while intoxicated can sometimes lead to an arrest.

What State Statutes Are Relevant to DUIs?

Florida Statute § 316.193 defines what can be considered a DUI and details the specific penalties if convicted for a DUI matter. The severity of charges someone faces increases based on certain factors, like if property damage occurs, if there’s a minor in the vehicle, or if someone’s had any prior DUI convictions.

The penalties for a conviction include:

• The fine amount generally depends on whether the accused has any prior DUI convictions, and if there was a minor in the vehicle.
• The length of time typically depends on any prior convictions and again, if there was a minor in the vehicle.
• This consequence can last for no more than one year.
• Community service. Traditionally, this penalty lasts for a minimum of no less than 50 hours

Also, someone convicted of a DUI could face the installation of an ignition interlock, a license revocation, increased car insurance rates, missed days of work and wage loss, and reduced educational opportunities because of the conviction.

What Happens if I’m Pulled Over in Sarasota?

Of course, if you’re pulled over for a suspected DUI issue, please try to stay calm. Know your rights when pulled over for a DUI to handle the situation effectively. You might be subjected to several types of testing while the responding law enforcement officer conducts field sobriety tests, which traditionally include:

• Using your eyes to follow a pen
• Being asked to walk down the street in a straight line
• Being required to stand on one leg for a period of time

Depending upon how well you complete the field sobriety tests, you might be asked to submit to a breath test. You may not refuse to take this test, as refusing it can result in a one-year suspension of your license, even if you’re ultimately not guilty of the underlying DUI suspicion.

If the responding officer believes you are under the influence of illegal drugs or if a vehicle crash has occurred, you may be required to take a blood test. There are strict protocols the person drawing the blood must adhere to in order to establish a lawful chain of custody for this evidence.

If you’re arrested at the scene, you may need to act quickly to protect your legal rights. Right away, request assistance from a knowledgeable private defense attorney who can help consider your available defenses to the DUI charges you’re facing.

What Are Some Common DUI Defenses I Can Consider?

Every DUI case is unique. Some defenses may be available to help your case and the charges you face, including arguing:

• The responding law enforcement officer didn’t have any legal cause to pull over your vehicle, which could impact the case proceeding against you, or police conduct at the scene was otherwise unlawful.
• The accuracy of any field sobriety tests you were asked to complete should be questioned, especially since such tests are often subjective and sometimes depend on the interpretation of the results by the responding officer.
• The test results were likely impacted by the weather, physical conditions, instructions being given incorrectly, or the testing surface was uneven, which could mean there was sufficient room for interpretation with the test results.
• Problems existed with the blood test or breath test procedures since the test equipment may have been inappropriately calibrated or maintained or the officer may not have observed you for a sufficient period of time (to make sure any alcohol in your mouth didn’t impact the test results).
• A medical condition mimicked unlawful intoxication and/or impacted the test results (such as acid reflux or diabetes causing false positives for breath tests) or a mental condition or physical injury could explain any subpar performance on some field sobriety testing.

Some constitutional issues could arise in a Sarasota DUI case. If the traffic stop was illegal, if you were unlawfully coerced into taking sobriety tests, or if you weren’t read your Miranda rights properly, an attorney can provide help to demand any evidence resulting from an unlawful arrest should be inadmissible against you.

There are several ways to address a DUI case and provide valid legal defenses to the charges against someone. DUI cases are complex, and they can quickly become overwhelming. As a result, it’s crucial to consult an experienced Sarasota attorney with a proven track record of successfully resolving cases just like yours.

Why Should I Consider Retaining a Sarasota DUI Defense Lawyer?

The right attorney can make a difference and provide comprehensive legal advocacy during an overwhelming experience with the criminal justice system. A private Sarasota DUI defense attorney can prepare your case, build a strong defense to the charges you face, and also ensure your basic constitutional rights are protected.

Specifically, a skilled defense attorney can help:

• Explain and navigate the complex criminal justice system
• Consider and ensure your constitutional rights are protected
• Minimize any consequences specific to the charges you’re facing
• Provide appropriate legal wisdom and a defense strategy tailored to your unique case
• Negotiate with state prosecutors to discuss any available alternative outcomes or potential sentence reductions
• Represent you in all stages of a criminal case, as necessary
• Suppress any illegal or unlawfully obtained evidence the prosecution intends to use
• File a motion to dismiss your DUI charges, as appropriate
• File any necessary pre-trial motions related to your case
• Advocate for your legal interests in any appeals or other post-conviction hearings
• Address all possible consequences following a possible criminal conviction and help you move forward and address any negative outcomes you might face
• Explore your expungement eligibility for any criminal conviction records (if possible based on the specific charges in your case)

An attorney can review your specific case, review the circumstances of your arrest, and discuss your case with any potential witnesses. Naturally, the stronger the defense your attorney can build, the better. Since a DUI can have serious consequences, an attorney can help fight these penalties and craft a strong defense on your behalf. Thus, it’s important to consider retaining a highly qualified lawyer for your DUI case.

FAQs About Sarasota Fl, DUI Law

Q: How Much Does a Sarasota, Florida DUI Lawyer Cost?

A: A Sarasota DUI lawyer can work on DUI charges based on a variety of fee agreements, which usually depend on the case complexity, any prior convictions someone has, and the attorney’s level of experience. Some defense attorneys request an upfront retainer fee, while others charge an hourly fee for their legal services. If you’re considering retaining a Sarasota defense attorney, it’s helpful to set up an initial consultation to discuss their specific written fee agreement.

Q: Can I Refuse a Field Sobriety Test in Sarasota?

A: In Sarasota, you can refuse to complete any field sobriety tests. You won’t face any legal penalties for the refusal, and your refusal also can’t be used negatively against you later in court.

However, if a law enforcement officer asks, you must take a standard breathalyzer test. Refusing this test can lead to serious consequences. If you have further questions about refusing a field sobriety test, a trusted Sarasota DUI defense attorney can help.

Q: Can a First-Time DUI Be Dismissed in Sarasota?

A: For Sarasota first-time DUI offenses, it’s possible to dismiss such charges. However, a dismissal isn’t guaranteed, and the case outcome depends on the factual circumstances of your case, the evidence gathered against you, and whether your constitutional rights were potentially unlawfully violated during the arrest. If you want to dismiss a first-time DUI offense, a well-informed Sarasota attorney can discuss your case.

Q: Why Can Having a Minor in the Vehicle Impact a Sarasota DUI Case?

A: Having a minor in the vehicle at the time of a DUI arrest can impact a case because the law prioritizes protecting minor children from any potential harm resulting from impaired driving. A DUI with a child in the vehicle is typically an aggravating factor that leads to harsh penalties like fines, jail time, and ignition interlock installation. If you had a minor in the vehicle during a DUI arrest, it’s crucial to contact an experienced DUI defense attorney.

Contact the Experienced DUI Defense Attorneys at Ruhl Law, P.A. Today

If you need help from experienced defense attorneys who have successfully resolved DUI matters just like yours, The team at Ruhl Law, P.A. can help. Contact us today to set up an initial, confidential consultation with trusted Sarasota defense attorneys.