HOLLYWOOD, FL DUI LAWYERS
If you have been charged with driving under the influence, known as DUI, it is important to have legal representation and get in contact with a reliable DUI defense lawyer as soon as possible. In Hollywood, Florida, driving with too high of a blood alcohol content in your system is viewed as a devastating offense.
If you are arrested for drunk driving, you can expect to face extremely high fines and fees, a driver’s license suspension and potentially lengthy time spent in jail. In DUI cases, the consequences can be even longer lasting than you realize, as the prosecution often attempts to have your driver’s license suspended or revoked, and it is very difficult to have your criminal record ever erased.
The optimum way of avoiding these consequences is by having our dedicated Hollywood DUI lawyers. Here at Magilligan Law, our Florida DUI lawyers are determined to help you have your DUI charges reduced or even dismissed altogether. When the rest of your life is on the line, the time to act is now.
Contact Hollywood DUI attorney now at 954-866-8058 to find out how you can set up a free consultation to begin planning a powerful DUI defense.
HOW DUI PROBABLE CAUSES WORK IN FLORIDA
If a person has been pulled over for an apparent DUI charge and ends up failing their breath test for the legal limit of alcohol in their blood (known as a BAC test), this does not mean that they should plead guilty.
In many scenarios, our knowledgeable, skilled criminal defense attorneys have been able to demonstrate that the law enforcement officers making the DUI arrest did not follow the appropriate procedures. Police officers are supposed to uphold the highest standards of the law, and if they do not have probable cause against a citizen, the entire DUI case could get tossed out.
Some examples of probable DUI cause include behaviors like:
- Reckless speeding
- Ignoring traffic lights and yield signs
- Driving carelessly and erratically
- Drifting in lanes or swerving
- Getting involved in a motor vehicle accident
If you have not displayed these reckless driving behaviors, and a police officer in Hollywood, Florida, pulls you over, they cannot then decide to arrest you under their suspicion that you might be driving under the influence.
It is important to understand that probable cause is a legal standard that requires more than just a hunch or suspicion. Law enforcement officers must have specific and articulable facts that would lead a reasonable person to believe that a DUI offense has been committed. This means that the officer’s observations and evidence must clearly support the decision to initiate a traffic stop and subsequent arrest.
Our experienced DUI lawyers in Hollywood, FL, meticulously review every detail of the arrest to ensure that the police officer’s actions were lawful and justified. This includes examining the timing and manner of the stop, the officer’s observations of your driving, and the administration of field sobriety tests. If any procedural errors or violations of your rights are found, we can challenge the validity of the evidence collected against you.
Furthermore, field sobriety tests and breathalyzer results are not infallible. Various factors such as medical conditions, improper test administration, or faulty equipment can affect the accuracy of these tests. Our skilled criminal defense attorneys are trained to identify these issues and use them to your advantage in building a strong defense.
By aggressively defending your rights and scrutinizing the probable cause for your arrest, our Hollywood DUI attorneys strive to protect you from wrongful convictions and the severe consequences that come with a DUI charge.
EXTENSIVE DUI CONVICTION CONSEQUENCES
Many people know that a criminal charge is a serious matter, but this is especially the case for driving under the influence. If you are convicted of a DUI, there is a lot more involved than just paying a fine, or going to jail for a few months.
For the rest of your life, you could be carrying a stained record that will prevent you from getting a job, obtaining a mortgage, having custody over your children, or even volunteering in your community.
When people see that you were drunk driving and have a prior DUI conviction, they automatically assume you are too reckless to be a contributing member of society. Do not rest until you gain powerful advocacy from a Hollywood, Florida DUI attorney that will build a strong DUI defense for you.
DUI convictions can also lead to long-term financial burdens, including increased insurance premiums and court-ordered fees. Additionally, you may face license suspension or revocation, severely impacting your ability to commute to work or fulfill daily responsibilities. The stigma of a DUI conviction can affect personal relationships and professional reputation, making it crucial to have an experienced attorney who understands the complexities of Florida’s criminal justice system.
DUI Offense Levels: First, Second, and Beyond
Understanding the distinctions between a first DUI offense and subsequent offenses is crucial when facing DUI charges in Hollywood, FL. Each level of offense carries different penalties and legal consequences, making it essential to have an experienced DUI lawyer by your side.
First DUI Offense
A first DUI offense is often treated less severely than repeat offenses, but it still carries significant penalties. If convicted, you may face fines, mandatory DUI education programs, community service, license suspension, and even jail time depending on the circumstances. A skilled criminal defense attorney can help minimize these consequences by challenging the evidence or negotiating plea deals.
Second DUI Offense
A second DUI offense within five years is considered a more serious crime and results in harsher penalties. These may include longer jail sentences, extended license suspensions, higher fines, mandatory installation of an ignition interlock device, and more intensive DUI education or treatment programs. The legal defense for a second offense often requires an aggressive DUI defense lawyer to protect your rights and future.
Third and Subsequent DUI Offenses
Third or subsequent DUI offenses are treated as felony charges in Florida, carrying severe consequences such as felony convictions, lengthy prison terms, substantial fines, and long-term license revocation. These cases demand the expertise of a passionate DUI defense attorney who can provide aggressive legal counsel to navigate the complexities of felony DUI charges.
No matter the offense level, our Hollywood criminal defense lawyers are dedicated to providing you with the strongest legal defense possible to help reduce or dismiss charges and mitigate the serious consequences associated with DUI convictions.
LET OUR HOLLYWOOD FL DUI ATTORNEYS FIGHT FOR YOU!
Here at Magilligan Law, our Hollywood drunk driving attorneys want you to know that there is still hope after you have been charged with a DUI charge. We are ready to carefully examine the evidence to build a DUI defense by looking for holes or gaps in witness testimonies, scrutinize police reports, and review video from traffic cameras.
In certain instances, we can even file a pretrial motion that requests the Florida court suppress evidence when it has been illegally obtained. In situations like this, DUI charges can be completely dismissed with the help of criminal defense attorneys.
CONTACT A DUI LAWYER HOLLYWOOD FL TODAY
Call us today at 954-866-8058 or contact us online so our aggressive Hollywood DUI attorneys can build a DUI defense and fight for your rights.