Clearwater Criminal Defense Law Blog

A DUI conviction in Florida typically leads to several consequences and penalties for the defendant. One of the lesser-known consequences in Florida is mandatory alcohol education, which is sometimes colloquially known as “DUI school.” Here’s what you need to know about mandatory alcohol education in the state of Florida. In general, DUI school is substance abuse counseling that is focused upon teaching students the consequences of drunk driving and ways in which to prevent driving drunk in the future. Different classes discuss the subject in different ways, but ultimately the emphasis is on...

  One of the more tedious aspects of dealing with a DUI in Florida is getting your car out of police custody after it has been impounded. Following is a discussion of car impounding in Florida and what you need to know about the process if you ever find yourself facing a DUI arrest and prosecution in Florida. Florida is among the many states that impounds the vehicles of those arrested for DUI. From a policy perspective, the goal of vehicle impoundment in Florida is to deter future DUI offenses by removing the defendant’s vehicle from his or her possession. Although some states have...

Although a driving under the influence (DUI) conviction can come with some heavy penalties, in certain cases the penalties may be even more severe. In such cases, the law prescribes harsher penalties under its “aggravated DUI” laws. Here’s what you need to know if you ever find yourself charged with aggravated DUI. Aggravating Factors Under Florida law, several aggravating factors exist that may increase the penalty for a DUI. For instance, as the legal blood alcohol content (BAC) is 0.08%, driving with a BAC of 0.15% or above is classified as aggravated DUI and may lead to a jail sentence...

During a DUI arrest in Florida, it is typical for the arresting officer to ask the detained individual to submit to a breath, urine, or blood test in order to determine impairment. Many states, including Florida, make it a separate crime to refuse such a test. Here’s what you need to know about Florida’s “no refusal” implied consent law if you find yourself suspected of driving under the influence. Basics Prior to implied consent laws, obtaining a breath, blood, or urine sample during a DUI investigation required a warrant. Obtaining a traditional warrant takes time, sometimes several hours,...