Drunk driving is one of the most common criminal charges people face in Florida and throughout the country. Despite public awareness campaigns to alert people of the dangers of drunk driving, thousands of people in Florida are charged with this crime each year. And, the penalties that these individuals face upon conviction can be difficult to overcome.
So, what are the penalties for a DUI conviction in Florida? Well, it depends on the level of the crime that a person is charged with. For instance, the more “priors” that a person has, the higher the potential penalties can be. Or, the higher a person’s blood alcohol content is alleged to be, the higher the potential penalties as well.
For starters, there is the potential to be sentenced to serve a term of imprisonment. A first-time DUI conviction may not include any jail time but may include a lengthy term of probation. These individuals will also likely be ordered to attend mandatory alcohol education or treatment classes. But, those who are convicted of DUI and have prior convictions may actually face the prospect of a prison sentence.
Even if a Florida resident avoids a prison sentence, almost everyone who is convicted of DUI will face a license suspension. The length of the suspension gets longer with each successive DUI conviction. With the potential penalties in play with a DUI conviction, Florida residents would be smart to contact a drunk driving defense attorney immediately to plan a sound criminal defense strategy as soon as possible after a DUI arrest.