Florida DUI Related Charges

Most Florida DUI arrests occur when a driver is pulled over after being suspected of operated his or her vehicle under the influence. Usually, a policeman will identify a suspect due to a simple traffic violation, ranging from driving without headlights to running a stop sign. It's also common for arrests to occur at various DUI checkpoints throughout the state. Unfortunately, in some instances, a DUI arrest is made following a crash where someone may be seriously injured or worse. This type of event is always a tragedy, and not just for the victim, but for the driver as well.
The following is a list of DUI related charges and their criminal penalties. Please note that this is for informational purposes only. If you are facing any of these charges, you should contact a DUI lawyer prudently.

• DUI Misdemeanor Conviction: A conviction of DUI Misdemeanor occurs when a person's driving under the influence results in property damage or personal injury. This DUI offense is a First Degree Misdemeanor in Florida, and carries the penalties of a $5000 maximum fines and up to five years in prison.
• DUI Felony Conviction: A conviction of a DUI Felony occurs in cases of repeat offenders or accidents that involve serious bodily injury. For repeat offenders, a person who receives a third DUI conviction within a ten year timeframe, the crime is a Third Degree Felony with a fine of no more than $5000 and up to five years in prison. If the offender causes serious bodily injury to another person, the DUI conviction will also be a Third Degree Felony carrying the same punishment.

Manslaughter and Vehicular Homicide

• DUI/Manslaughter: If a person is killed while drunk driving, the charge will be DUI/Manslaughter. This is a Second Degree Felony and mandate a maximum fine of $10,000, and up to fifteen years in prison.
• DUI/Manslaughter/Leaving the Scene: This crime is charged when the driver committed DUI Manslaughter and either knew, or should have known, that the accident occurred. Additionally, the driver must have failed to give information about the accident or render aid. This First Degree Felony has a maximum fine of $10,000 and up to thirty years in prison.
• Vehicular Homicide: Vehicular Homicide is a Second Degree Felony that imposes a fine of no more than $10000 and up to fifteen years of prison.
• Vehicular Homicide/Leaving the Scene: A driver is guilty of this First Degree Felony if convicted of vehicular homicide after leaving the scene of the accident. The fine is no more than $10000 with a penalty of up to thirty years of prison.

It is hard enough to cope with the guilt and remorse of unintentionally injuring another person or their property while drunk behind the wheel. Dealing with the grief, however, is even more difficult when facing serious DUI charges and their consequences. A conviction of a DUI felony such as manslaughter or vehicular homicide will change your life forever. Due to these high stakes, it's critically important to hire a DUI lawyer with trial experience in felony defense.
Our DUI lawyer, Michael VanDerZee, is a veteran of the Air Force AND courtroom. As a state prosecutor, he won the Mothers Against Drunk Driving Florida Prosecutor of the Year Award while handling countless felony cases ranging from grand theft to murder. If you're in the Central Florida area, including Lakeland, Tampa, and Orlando, and are looking for an experienced DUI lawyer to take on your representation, give us a call. We provide free consultations from our Lakeland based office. Contact us today for more information about DUI Related Charges in Lakeland, Brandon, Winter Haven, Bartow, Kissimmee, Tampa, Orlando and Central Florida.