DUI Penalties in the Tampa, Florida
Area & How they May Prevent Car Accidents
Driving under the influence of alcohol
is a careless act that puts all of us at risk. Whether
we are traveling down Hillsborough Avenue in Tampa, McMullen
Booth Road in Clearwater, or Central Avenue in St Petersburg,
if we cross paths with a drunk driver, we have a much
greater chance of being in a car accident with injuries.
Because of the inherent danger of drunk
driving, anyone who drives while under the influence of
alcohol in the Tampa, Florida area faces tough criminal
penalties, many of which are not negotiable. One of the
most painful DUI penalties is the loss of one's drivers
license. It is also estimated that a person charged with
DUI in the Tampa, Florida area will spend at least $9,000
legal fees, towing charges, bail, DUI school, alcohol
treatment, lost wages, insurance premium increases, and
other costs. Plus, if the DUI suspect caused property
damage or injuries to others, there is a good chance the
victims will hire a car accident
lawyer in Tampa and sue for damages. This could greatly
increase the financial cost of DUI.
The loss of money and driving privileges
are just the tip of the iceberg for DUI penalties in Florida.
The following is a general overview of penalties enforced
for first, second, third, and forth or more DUI charges:
| FIRST CONVICTION |
| Fine |
$500-$1,,000, with BAL .15 or higher
or minor in the vehicle, not less than $1,000 or more
than $2,000 |
| Community Service |
50 hours |
| Probation |
Not more than 1 year |
| Imprisonment |
Not more than 6 months; with BAL .15 or higher or
minor in the vehicle, not more than 9 months |
| License Revocation |
Minimum 180 days |
| DUI School |
12 hours DUI School Requirement Evaluation conducted
to determine need for treatment |
| Ignition Interlock Device |
Up to 6 months |
| SECOND OFFENSE/CONVICTION |
| Fine |
$1,000-$2,000 with BAL .15 or higher or minor in
the vehicle, not less than $2,000 or more than $4,000 |
| Imprisonment |
Not more than 9 months; 2nd conviction within 5
years, 10 days in jail, 48 hours of confinement must
be consecutive |
| License Revocation |
Minimum 180 days; 2nd offense within 5 years after
first conviction; 5 year revocation |
| DUI School |
21 hours DUI School Requirement Evaluation conducted
to determine need for treatment |
| Ignition Interlock Device |
Minimum of 1 year |
| THIRD OFFENSE/CONVICTION |
| Fine |
$2,000-$5,000 with BAL .15 or higher or minor in
the vehicle, not less than $4,000 |
| Imprisonment |
Not more than 12 months; 3rd conviction within 10
years, mandatory 30 days in jail; 48 hours must be
consecutive |
| License Revocation |
Minimum 180 days; 3rd offense within 10 years after
second conviction; 10 year revocation |
| DUI School |
21 hours DUI School Requirement Evaluation conducted
to determine need for treatment |
| Ignition Interlock Device |
Minimum of 2 years |
| FOURTH OR MORE CONVICTION |
| Fine |
Not less than $1,000 |
| Imprisonment |
Not more than 5 years |
| License Revocation |
Permanent revocation |
The above penalties assume no serious
injuries or wrongful deaths occurred as a result of the
drunk driving charge. If, however, a drunk driver does
cause serious injuries or death, the penalties increase
dramatically. Being convicted of DUI manslaughter or vehicular
homicide is punishable by up to 15 years in prison; leaving
the scene after DUI manslaughter or vehicular homicide
is punishable by up to 30 years in prison.
If you or a family member has
been seriously injured by a drunk driver in the Tampa,
Florida area, please contact the Tampa car accident law
firm of Dale Appell, P.A. for a free initial consultation
of your case.
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