What is the best defense against a DUI?
The top 10 legal defenses to driving while intoxicated (“DUI”) charges fall into three categories. These are that:
- You can fight DUI charges by arguing that you were merely driving erratically or poorly–but NOT driving under the influence. This defense is especially helpful with charges that you were “driving under the influence” under Vehicle Code 23152(a) VC.
- Your physical appearance plays a big role in your DUI investigation.
One of the first things prosecutors focus on is your driving pattern. They routinely have the arresting officer testify that you were driving in a manner “consistent with” someone who was under the influence of alcohol or drugs. Often, this so-called “pattern” includes allegations that you were speeding or weaving within your lane.
We rebut this evidence by having the officer testify about all of the ways that you drove properly and safely. We elicit testimony from the arresting officer that:
- The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — the nation’s leading authority on DUI — says that cues based on driving patterns are predictive of drunk/drugged driving only 35% of the time.
- Even the National District Attorneys Association admits that driving behaviors are sometimes “quite nuanced.”
Example: Tony accidentally serves between lanes while scratching his ankle. Police pull him over and arrest him for DUI even though he had only one drink that night.
Tony’s attorney gets the officer to admit that he was driving within the speed limit, pulled over as directed, parked without difficulty, and otherwise was driving with “the caution characteristic of a sober person.”
The attorney also gets the officer to admit that sober people often drift into other lanes for reasons having nothing to do with drug or alcohol consumption. This defense to Tony’s charges leads to a “not guilty” verdict.
Using Form 5.2.5, an officer can simply “check off” that you displayed these signs / symptoms, without further elaboration.
We defend you against DUI charges by addressing the “innocent” explanations that could have led to those signs. For instance, are all common causes of red eyes.
Experienced DUI defense attorneys know that “the smell of alcohol on your breath” does not necessarily mean you drank alcohol.
We also elicit testimony that alcohol has no odor. What people perceive as alcohol on the breath is actuall
How much does a DUI lawyer cost in Florida?
Lots of people ask us what the true cost or average cost of a DUI in Orlando, Florida. Knowing these costs isn’t just essential for those who have found themselves on the wrong side of the law—it’s crucial for all of us. In the following article, we’ll dissect every potential DUI Costs in Central Florida. This isn’t a light topic, but it’s one we should all be informed about.
The State of Florida punishes DUI harshly; as such, there are a number of penalties a court will enforce if you are convicted of DUI. In addition, repeat DUI offenses and aggravating factors (such as the presence of minors, or damage to property) may lead to a more severe sentence. Contact our Orlando criminal defense attorney near you to help get your life back on track.
In addition to the criminal penalties for DUI, you may be subject to administrative driver license penalties by DMV as well as financial and personal collateral consequences, including loss of a job, immigration issues or professional licensure discipline. Here are some ranges of costs that you might expect to pay after being arrested for a DUI in Central Florida.
| 1st Time Offender | 2nd Time Offender |
|---|---|
| $264 | $395 |
| 1st Suspension – by DHSMV | 2nd Suspension – by judge, if Convicted |
|---|---|
| $223 | $223 |
DMV hardship license co-owned by the defendant: 1st Time Offender- 6 months = $575, 2nd Time Offender- 2 years = $1,790. 10 days for each vehicle. Insurance hikes with FR-44 Form required for 3 years, expect premiums to increase by 200-400%. $300,000 total per accident, and $50,000 property damage.
The first financial hit you’ll take is likely the towing of your vehicle. And let’s be clear: this is no small expense. You’re looking at anywhere from $100 to $300 just to get your car off the road. And don’t forget, that’s just the initial fee—every extra day your car sits in the lot will cost you more. This is just the beginning of a long and costly journey that goes far beyond a simple fine.
After the initial shock of being arrested, you’ll soon face the practical matter of securing your release. That’s where bail bonds come into play. A bail bond is essentially a guarantee to the court that you’ll show up for your future hearings. It’s a financial arrangement that temporarily gets you out of jail—but it comes with a price tag.
For a first-time DUI offense, you’re generally looking at bail amounts ranging from $100 to $3,000. It’s a wide range, largely influenced by your criminal history and the circumstances of your arrest and whether you pay your bail in full (which will be refunded to you later) Or if you just pay 10% to the bondsman (which is not refunded, that is just their bail bond fees.) Thus for a first time DUI, the average bail is $100-$200 if they pay the bondsman or $500-$1,000 bond for a first DUI offense if they pay the bond directly to the court.
Although this is a one-time payment, it’s a significant one, and it’s essential to account for it in your overall DUI budget.
How much does a DUI lawyer cost in Illinois?
The cost of hiring a DUI lawyer in Illinois is mainly based on the experience of the lawyer and the amount of lawyer training in the DUI Act. Some other reasons may vary between lawyers, such as attorney overhead.
This is why the costs of a DUI attorney should not be of great importance. Think of it this way. If your lawyer gets you out of jail, you don’t miss work or you lose your job because of this problem, the price to pay will be reduced to a few thousand dollars for that. Compare this to the unpredictable consequences you may encounter by being in jail and losing your source of income.
Most DUI lawyer fees are less than $5,000 and can be significantly less depending on your area and the lawyer of your choice. You just want to make sure you get one that will help you in the right direction and you will get a deal you can handle, not the ones that will give you just the usual deal that everyone will get anyway.
If you’ve been arrested for driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs, you don’t have a lot of time to hire a lawyer. But you shouldn’t hire just any lawyer. The article condenses the average cost of hiring an Illinois DUI attorney for your case.
The cost is typically starting at a minimum of $2,500 up to 25,000 when fighting a first-time DUI charge in court with an attorney. Several factors can affect the average cost of DUI and DUI attorneys in Illinois. The cost may vary depending on the attorney, the criminal charges, and the activities surrounding your arrest.
According to Illinois DUI law, the penalties for drunken driving involve the revocation of your Illinois driver’s license for at least one year, possible imprisonment, hefty fines, and community service. This can have a wrecking effect as it can lead to the loss of your job, marriage, or other things that are important to you.
It is a DUI offense to drive, attempt to drive, or oversee a moving vehicle in Illinois if the level of alcohol or drugs in your breath, blood, or urine exceeds the prescribed level. Once the level of drug or alcohol is higher than .08 BAC, you can be charged with a DUI charge in Illinois.
Aside from the revocation of license and possible imprisonment, those who are arrested for driving under the influence (DUI) face a series of Illinois DUI costs and fines. Below are the costs and fines associated with drunken driving in Illinois, and Chicago.
- You will be mandated to take a class on the dangers of a DUI in Illinois, and you’ll have to pay for it. Remedial substance abuse classes start at $50 a class and counseling fees of $200. Plus, there’s an additional Illinois DUI cost for drug and alcohol screening.
- Upon a DUI arrest in Illinois, you will likely have to post bail, from several hundred to several thousand dollars. The good news is that it will be returned to you minus non-refundable fees if you appear as planned in court.
- You may also have to pay a towing and impound fee to get your car back, which is typically another $500 to $2,000 in IL DUI costs.
How much is a DUI lawyer in Florida?
A DUI charge, or Driving Under the Influence, is a very serious and life-altering event in any state. DUI penalties in Florida are severe and are often zealously pursued by prosecutors; if a person is charged with multiple DUIs, expect the consequences to increase. It is imperative to remember your rights after a DUI charge and, with the help of a dedicated and aggressive DUI attorney, determine the right course of action depending on your unique case and the circumstances of your arrest.
The overall costs of a DUI in Florida can add up. They encompass everything from court fees to insurance rate hikes, fines, and attorney fees. Expect to pay for most or all of the following costs:
- Court fees
- Towing costs
- Fines
- Probation fees
The above costs do not take into account the potential loss of income incurred while someone is serving a jail sentence or completing a mandatory treatment program.
In every state, including Florida, DUI penalties are taken seriously by the courts and are pursued relentlessly by the prosecution. In Brevard County, the alleged perpetrator’s eventual penalties will depend on their level of intoxication at the time of the arrest, any other crimes on their record, and what, if any, injuries or damages were a result of their driving. Intoxication tests done at the police station post-arrest can use urine, blood, and breath to determine the exact level of inebriation.
Once the test for alcohol intoxication is completed, know that anything over a .08% blood alcohol content (BAC) is considered a DUI; if you are a commercial driver, this amount is much lower at just .04% BAC. Furthermore, commercial drivers under the age of 21 cannot have any percentage of BAC as this is a zero-tolerance policy for underage drinking.
Every person has physical differences that cause them to metabolize alcohol or other illicit substances at a different rate, and not every person will outwardly manifest intoxication in the same way. For example, a person who is arrested for DUI may still have drugs detectable in their bloodstream while not feeling as though they are intoxicated if several hours have passed since they consumed the drug. This also varies depending on how frequently the person uses this drug or other drugs.
There is no exact way to determine the effect your intoxication test will have on your DUI case. A DUI defense attorney can approach and analyze the events leading up to and after your arrest and offer sound legal advice regarding your impending case and possible defenses that will lessen or even eradicate your charge based on the test’s timing, method of administration, lab analysis, or other circumstances. Because DUI penalties are so costly and severe, a criminal defense attorney with a personalized, passionate, and highly skilled approach can offer legal counsel to help you understand your rights and ensure the greatest possible outcome for your future.
DUI costs vary from case to case on a multitude of factors. The average cost includes court fees, towing costs, fines, probati