Florida DUI Criminal Penalties

Under Florida law, driving under the influence of Alcohol or other controlled substances may result in an arrest for DUI. A DUI is a criminal charge that may be proven by an impairment of normal faculties, an unlawful blood alcohol level, or a breath alcohol level of .08 or above. No matter which way the offense is proven, the DUI conviction results in the same penalties.

First Florida DUI Conviction

• Fines: Your first Florida DUI conviction will result in a fine of no less than $250, and no more than $500. If your Blood/Breath Alcohol Level (BAL) is 2.0 or above, or there was a minor in the vehicle, your fine will be between $500 (minimum) and $1000 (maximum).
• Community Service: A first DUI conviction carries a mandatory community service order of 50 hours. Alternatively, there is a $10 fine for each hour required.
• Probation: For a first DUI conviction, a period of probation may not exceed one year.
• Imprisonment: DUI may result in imprisonment of no more than six months, unless a minor was present in the vehicle or the BAL is .15 or above. In the latter case, the DUI will carry a sentence of no more than nine months.
• Vehicle Impoundment: Unless the family of the DUI recipient has no other methods of transportation, the vehicle will be impounded for ten days.

Second Florida DUI Conviction

• Fines: Your second Florida DUI conviction will cost you no less than $500, and no more than $1000. With a minor in the vehicle or a BAL of 2.0 or higher, the minimum and maximum fine amounts are doubled.
• Imprisonment: A second DUI will result in a sentence of nine months or less. With a BAL of .15 or higher, or if a minor was present in the vehicle, the maximum sentence is twelve months. If it's the second DUI conviction within a five year period, a mandatory imprisonment of at least ten days will be imposed (48 of the hours must be consecutively served).
• Vehicle Impoundment: A second DUI conviction within five years will result in a vehicle impoundment of thirty days, which will not run concurrent to jail time served.

Third Florida DUI Conviction outside 10 Years

• Fines: A third Florida DUI conviction within 10 years will produce a fine of at least $1,000, but no more than $2500. If a minor was in the vehicle, or the BAL was 2.0 or higher, the cost will be $2000 or more.
• Imprisonment: DUI will result in no more than 12 months of incarceration.

Third Florida DUI Conviction within 10 Years

• Fines: If you are convicted of a third DUI within a ten year timeframe, a maximum fine of $5000 will be imposed. With a BAL of 2.0 and above, or with a minor in the vehicle, the fine will be no less than $2000.
  
• Imprisonment: A third DUI Conviction within a period of ten years will result in a mandatory imprisonment of at least thirty days, 48 hours of which must be served consecutively.
• Vehicle Impoundment: A Third DUI within ten years will be impounded for 90 days.

Fourth or More Florida DUI Convictions

• Fines: A fourth or subsequent Florida DUI conviction will result in a fine of at least $1000. A BAL of 2.0 and higher, or a minor in the vehicle, will result in a minimum of $2000.
• Imprisonment: A fourth or subsequent DUI conviction will result in a term of no more than five years.

Whether you or a loved one is facing a first DUI charge or a fourth, the outcome carries serious implications and should not be taken lightly. It is paramount that you contact a local DUI lawyer so your case sees the most positive possible results.

If your arrest occurred in Lakeland, Tampa Bay, Orlando, or any other area of Central Florida, our DUI lawyer, Michael VanDerZee, is here to defend your rights. As a former Florida State Prosecutor, Michael personally handled countless DUI cases. He knows how the state will build its case against you, and he knows how to exploit the state's weaknesses to your advantage. To have a free consultation with Michael, the DUI lawyer that was awarded the Mothers Against Drunk Driving Florida Prosecutor of the Year, call us today.

Contact us for more information about DUI Criminal Penalties in Lakeland, Brandon, Winter Haven, Bartow, Kissimmee, Tampa, Orlando and Central Florida.