DUI Attorneys in Destin, Fort Walton Beach & Niceville
DUI, DWI, or BUI are serious charges in the state of Florida, and a DUI conviction can follow you for the rest of your life, impacting your career and livelihood in the future. In fact, a DUI conviction will remain on your record for 75 years, so your entire life. Even first-time offenders can find themselves facing jail time. And the more offenses you have on your record, the worse the penalties become.
Matthews & Matthews, LLP has three law offices to better serve you in the Emerald Coast. Our DUI lawyers have years of experience helping form solid defenses against DUI charges. We’re here to help find creative solutions so that you receive the most favorable outcome possible. We ensure each client receives our whole-hearted attention, understanding, and, of course, legal expertise. We will give you an honest assessment of your DUI case. Call today for a consultation!
REASONS TO CHOOSE OUR DUI LAWYERS IN THE EMERALD COAST
- Experienced
- Knowledgeable
- Caring
- Superb track record in court
- Local
- Confident
- Ethical
- Strategical
WHAT IS DUI?
DUI stands for driving under the influence. While some states use terms like DWI (driving while intoxicated), Florida law uses DUI.
In Florida, a person can be charged with DUI if they are operating or in actual physical control of a motor vehicle and:
- have a blood or breath alcohol concentration (BAC) of 0.08 or higher, or
- are impaired by alcohol, drugs, or a combination of both to the extent that their normal faculties are impaired.
“Normal faculties” include the ability to see, hear, walk, talk, judge distances, drive an automobile, and perform the mental and physical acts of daily life.
Motor vehicles—including cars, trucks, and SUVs—can cause serious harm when operated while impaired. As speed increases, so does the risk of injury to others. Florida law sets strict standards to promote roadway safety and reduce impaired driving.
(See Fla. Stat. § 316.193)
WHAT IS BUI?
BUI stands for boating under the influence. Similar to DUI, Florida law prohibits operating a vessel while impaired by alcohol, drugs, or a combination of both.
In Florida, a person can be charged with BUI if they are operating a vessel and:
- have a blood or breath alcohol concentration (BAC) of 0.08 or higher, or
- are impaired by alcohol, drugs, or a combination of both to the extent that their normal faculties are impaired.
“Normal faculties” include the ability to see, hear, walk, talk, judge distances, and perform the mental and physical acts of daily life.
A “vessel” includes boats, jet skis, and other watercraft. Operating a vessel while impaired can pose serious risks to passengers, other boaters,
and swimmers. As with motor vehicles, the risk of injury increases with speed and impaired judgment. Florida law establishes strict standards to promote safety on the water and reduce alcohol- and drug-related incidents.
(See Fla. Stat. § 327.35)
PENALTIES FOR DUI
It’s safe to say that Florida has some of the harshest DUI laws in the United States, with the judge being able to impose a wide range or penalties, depending on the circumstances of your case. Jail time is not unheard of for first time offenders, which is why you need an exceptional DUI attorney in Destin if you are facing DUI charges. Here’s the possible consequences of a DUI conviction:
1st Offense:
- If your BAC (blood alcohol content) is less than .15 without a car crash, you can receive up to 6 months in confinement or if you refuse a breath test. Your fines are between $500 and $1000.
- If you have a BAC level that is .15 or higher, or you were driving with a minor in the vehicle, you can receive up to 9 months in jail. Your fines are between $1,000 and $2,000.
- If you are involved in a car crash, you can receive up to 12 months in jail.
2nd Offense:
- If your second DUI arrest is within 5 years of the first DUI conviction, you face a minimum of 10 days in jail if convicted, or a residential rehab program at the judge’s discretion. Your fines are between $500 and $1000.
- If your second DUI arrest is more than 5 years after your first DUI conviction, and if you refused a blood or breath test, or you were below .05 BAC level with no car crash, then you face a maximum of 9 months in jail, with no minimum jail time.
- If your second DUI arrest is more than 5 years after your first DUI conviction, and you had a BAC level of greater than .15, or you were driving with a minor in the car, then you face a maximum of 12 months in jail, with no minimum jail time. Your fines are between $2,000 and $4,000.
3rd Offense:
- If your third DUI arrest is within 10 years after your other two DUI convictions, you face a 30-day minimum jail time sentence if convicted. Your fines are between $2,000 and $5,000.
- If your third DUI arrest is more than 10 years after your other two DUI convictions, there is no minimum jail time, with a maximum of 12 months in jail.
4th Offense or More:
- If you are convicted of a fourth DUI, you will face a felony conviction. This carries a sentence of up to 5 years in a Florida state prison and be considered a felon from then on. Your fines are a minimum of $2,000.
HOW OUR DUI ATTORNEYS CAN HELP IN THE EMERALD COAST
When you’ve been arrested for DUI, DWI, BUI, or DWAI in the state of Florida, your world can seem to stop. With such life-changing ramifications on the line with a DUI conviction, you need a top-notch DUI attorney to help.
Matthews & Matthews, LLP serves the Emerald Coast, and all of the surrounding areas with exceptional DUI representation. We understand that this is a difficult time in your life, and we do our best to ensure you have a favorable outcome. You can rest assured that if you partner with our DUI attorneys that we will do our due diligence to discover what happened on the day of your arrest, the circumstances, and read all of the reports. We will give you our honest assessment of your DUI case and how we think we can help. When facing a DUI charge in Florida, you don’t want to go it alone. Call our compassionate DUI lawyers today!
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Remembering Our Past
At Matthews & Matthews, we remember what Northwest Florida was like in the past and have played a meaningful role alongside community leaders in shaping what it is today. As our region continues to grow, we remain committed to being the partner of choice—past, present, and future. Take a journey through time and rediscover our area’s rich history in photographs.