Conditions for a Florida Felony DUI

DUI or Driving Under the Influence of alcohol is an offense of operating a vehicle while or after consuming alcohol, intoxicating chemicals or any other controlled substances. The Florida law defines the DUI offenses as a detriment of normal faculties or improper levels of alcohol in blood or breath. DUI can otherwise be referred to as Driving Under Intense Influence (DUII), Operating a Motor Vehicle While Intoxicated (OMVI), Driving While Intoxicated (DWI), Operating While Intoxicated (OWI). The offense may also arise if the mode of transport is a boat, aircraft, horse-drawn vehicle or even a cycle. Whatever the form in which the the felony is proven, the penalties imposed are almost the same.

The alcohol level is detected by conducting a scientific test named BAC (Blood Alcohol Content) which measures the weight of alcohol in blood. Law enforces punishment if the BAC count is 0.08% or above and this is applicable in all states.

Under Florida’s DUI laws, the victims can litigate restaurants, bars or hotels or other liquor-licensed companies. The courts are prohibited from holding back adjudication in DUI  cases or from lessening the charge if the BAC count of the accused is 0.15% or more. The judges are disallowed to alter the administrative suspension assigned by the statute. Depending on the type of conviction and other intensifying factors, the fines may amount to anywhere between $250 and $2,000.

The offenses are classified as First Conviction, Second Conviction, Third Conviction (more than 10 years),Third Conviction (within 10 years) and Fourth or Subsequent Conviction.

Levels and Penalties

* The highest fine which is within $5,000 is slapped on the Third Conviction category (within 10 years) where the Blood/Breath Alcohol Level (BAL) is .20% or more, or there is a minor in the vehicle.

A compulsory imprisonment tenure of at least 30 days is imposed where 48 hours of confinement must be continuous.

* The Third Conviction (more 10 years) holds for a fine more than $1,000 and less than $2,500 with BAL of .20% or higher or a minor in the vehicle.

The sentencing tenure of not more than 5 years is assigned.

* Under the Fourth Conviction level, the fine is not less than $1000 where the BAL reads .20% or more or a minor in the vehicle.

The sentencing tenure is not more than 5 years or as coded by the Florida Statutes.

* Under the Second Conviction, the fine charged is not less than $500 or more than $500 where the BAL is .20% or more or minor in the vehicle.

The sentencing period is not more than 9 months. With BAL of .20% or above or minor in the vehicle. If Second Conviction is within 5 years, a mandatory imprisonment of at least 10 days applies where at least 48 hours of continuous confinement is compulsory.

The driving license of the offender is held for a minimum period of 180 days to a maximum of 5 years. In case of DUI manslaughter, compulsory permanent revocation is imposed and if there are no previous DUI convictions on record then a hardship reinstatement is coded after 5 years.


* The lowest fine is imposed under the first conviction category where the amount is not less than $250 or more than $500 with BAL of .20% or higher or minor in the vehicle.

The sentencing terms calls for a tenure of about 6 months to 9 months.

For further details on fine schedules and imprisonment conditions visit :
http://www.flhsmv.gov/ddl/http://www.peoplepublicrecords.org/duilaws.html

Other Penalties

Community service is compulsory for First Conviction for about 50 hours or else an extra fine will be charged.

A minimum of 5 years revocation and a 1 year hardship reinstatement is imposed if the DUI case involves serious bodily injury or vehicular homicide convictions.

The drink driving lawyers of  Florida assort the DUI cases as the Florida Department Of  Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles Cases (FDHSMV) and a case where the person’s liberty is at stake.

In Florida,the consequences for a DUI crime often follow a prolonged procedure where the punishment involves fines, imprisonment, license suspensions which are generally imposed by FDHSMV.