Fort Lauderdale First-Time DUI Lawyers
It could happen to anyone. You may be out for dinner with some coworkers and enjoy a few drinks during the meal. You think you know your limit, so you make sure you don’t drink too much. You jump in the car and head back home, but get pulled over for running through a red light. The officer asks you if you have had anything to drink, and all of a sudden you are being charged with driving under the influence.
If you have been arrested for DUI, you are not alone. Thousands of people are accused of driving under the influence in Florida every year. Remember, being arrested or charged with DUI does not mean that you are guilty. You deserve to protect your rights and share your side of the story. Our Broward County DUI lawyers bring two decades of experience to every case we take on, providing a superior level of service. We can help you build a strong and strategic defense; let us review your case today.
What Should I Do If I Have Been Arrested?
Many people are unaware of how to protect their rights, or even what rights they have, after a criminal arrest. In the state of Florida, there are implied consent laws, which means any driver must submit to a breath or blood test if they have been pulled over by police. If you refuse to take a test, your license will automatically be suspended for a year, even if you were not in the wrong.
Understanding Trenton’s Law
On October 1, 2025, Trenton’s Law went into effect in Florida. This law can have an impact on both first-time offenders and repeat offenders, creating harsher penalties.
For a repeat offender facing a DUI or BUI manslaughter charge, the law now allows a prison sentence of up to 30 years.
The first refusal to take a breathalyzer test has now been criminalized in Florida; it is a second-degree misdemeanor offense. This is crucial for first offenders who may be deciding if they should refuse a breathalyzer or not. Doing so can have serious ramifications on a person’s future, perhaps resulting in up to 60 days of incarceration.
In both of these ways, Trenton’s Law could have a major impact on your potential sentencing. If you are facing charges, it is imperative to understand all of your legal options.
In Order To Protect Your Rights, You Should Do The Following:
- Cooperate with police officers
- Do not share your “story” with arresting officers, only provide the required information (name, DOB, etc.)
- Exercise your right to an attorney
- Start building a strong defense with your legal team
- Gather any witness testimony or physical evidence
- Get an expert opinion on the results of a blood or breath test
There are many ways you can challenge your charges, especially if an arresting officer violated your rights. Our firm can walk you through your options and help you make sure that you secure a favorable outcome for your case.
Frequently Asked Questions About First-Time DUI Charges In Fort Lauderdale
Fort Lauderdale residents facing their first DUI arrest often have critical questions about penalties, license suspension and long-term consequences.
What are the penalties for a first-time DUI in Florida?
A first-time DUI conviction in Florida carries mandatory fines ranging from $500 to $1,000. Courts may impose jail time up to six months. Additional penalties include probation, community service hours, mandatory DUI school attendance and vehicle impoundment for 10 days. Courts often order completion of substance abuse evaluation and treatment programs. Installation of an ignition interlock device may be required for certain cases. These penalties represent minimum requirements, and judges may impose harsher consequences based on case circumstances.
Will I lose my license after a first DUI arrest?
Yes, license suspension occurs through two separate processes. Administrative suspension begins immediately upon arrest if you submit to testing and register a breath or blood alcohol content of .08% or higher, resulting in a six-month suspension. Refusing to submit to chemical testing triggers an automatic one-year suspension under Florida’s implied consent law. Following conviction, the court imposes additional revocation ranging from 180 days to one year for first offenses without bodily injury. You may qualify for hardship reinstatement after serving a mandatory 30-day period without driving privileges by completing DUI school enrollment and attending an administrative hearing.
What happens if my BAC was .15% or higher, or there was a minor in the car?
Enhanced penalties apply when breath or blood alcohol levels reach .15% or above, or when a minor passenger is present in the vehicle. Fines increase to a range of $1,000 to $2,000 for these aggravating circumstances. Maximum jail time extends from six months to nine months. Courts mandatory order ignition interlock device installation for up to six months. These elevated consequences reflect the increased danger posed by severely impaired driving or endangering children.
How long does a DUI stay on my record in Florida?
A DUI conviction remains on your criminal record permanently in Florida. The state does not allow expungement or sealing of DUI convictions. This permanent record affects employment background checks, professional licensing applications, insurance rates and future DUI penalties. Prior DUI convictions count toward enhanced sentencing regardless of how many years have passed. For example, a second DUI conviction occurring 20 years after the first still qualifies as a second offense for penalty purposes.
What is the 10-day rule in Florida?
There is an automatic license suspension after a DUI arrest in Florida, but the 10-day rule means that a driver has 10 days to ask for a review. During that 10-day period, the DUI citation is essentially a hardship license.
Under a hardship license, a person can still drive for necessary purposes, like going to school or commuting to work, but only for 10 days. If they do not ask for a review, the long-term license suspension goes into effect.
What is an FR-44 and how does it affect my insurance?
In order to have your license reinstated in Florida, you may need to use an FR-44 form to prove that you have the correct level of insurance. This raises the minimum liability coverage required on your policy. For bodily injury liability, you must have $300,000 of coverage per accident and $100,000 per person. For property damage liability, you need $50,000.
This is substantially higher than the traditional personal injury protection coverage that is required for drivers without a DUI. They only need $10,000 for personal injury protection and another $10,000 for property damage liability. After a DUI, you need substantially more insurance than you did before.
Call Now For A Free Consultation
Even if you have no criminal record, you could still be facing up to $1,000 in fines and six months in jail. You may even have your license suspended, causing even more complications for you. Do not risk having a DUI conviction on your record. Get in touch with a Broward County DUI attorney today.