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The hiring of a lawyer is an important decision that should not be based solely upon advertisements. Before you decide, ask us to send you free written information about our qualifications and experience. This web site is designed for general information only. The information presented at this site should not be construed to be formal legal advice nor the formation of a lawyer/client relationship.
DUI & Traffic
As a lawyer practicing primarily in the area of Criminal Law, Randall Grantham devotes a substantial portion of his practice and training to criminal traffic offenses and specifically to DUI, or Driving Under the Influence, cases. When someone is arrested in Florida for DUI, there are really two separate cases that arise: the court case, where a person's liberty is at stake, and the Driver’s License case.
If you have been arrested for DUI, and you refused to take a breath, blood or urine test, OR if you took the test and your result is 0.08% or higher, you have only 10 days to request a special hearing with the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles to save your license. If you or your lawyer do not request a hearing within the first 10 days, you forever waive, or give up, the right to challenge the suspension of your license and will receive a penalty of at least a six-month suspension (and as much as an 18-month suspension) of your Florida driving privileges, even if the charge of DUI is later dropped or you are found not guilty.
DUI is one offense, that can be proved in one of two ways: drunk driving can be proved by impairment of normal faculties by alcohol and/or controlled substances (including prescribed medicines), or unlawful blood alcohol or breath alcohol level of .08% or above. Florida DUI penalties upon conviction are the same, regardless of the manner in which the offense is proven.
The penalties and consequences for a Florida DUI arrest are serious and far-reaching. They include fines, jail, and administrative license suspensions. They also can include license suspensions, separate and apart from those imposed by the DHSMV, which are imposed by the court.
Depending on the severity of the charge, or the prior record of the driver, DUI legislation in Florida allows for penalties if found guilty, of a fine of anything from $500 to $5000 and up to a 5 year jail term. Routine penalties for even a first time DUI with no aggravating circumstances include:
• Jail Time or Probation
• License Suspension
• Fines & Court Cost
• DUI Driving School
• Mandatory Alcohol Treatment
• Car Forfeiture or Immobilization
• Community Service Hours
• Car Insurance Cancellation
Randall Grantham has practiced criminal law and DUI defense for nearly 30 years. He attends continuing legal education classes to stay current with all changes in the law and the newest techniques to challenge the charges made by the police against you or your loved one.
If you or someone you care about has been charged with a DUI, the most important thing to do is to contact The Law Offices of Randall C. Grantham immediately to schedule an appointment.
