West Palm Beach DUI Lawyer
Even though the penalties for drunk driving have significantly increased in the past few decades since the 1970s when driving under the influence was at an all-time high, the prevalence of drunk driving still remains high. In fact, about one third of traffic collision fatalities are caused by DUI drivers. If you were arrested for driving under the influence, you are well aware that the days of police officers allowing drunk drivers to “sleep it off” are long gone. In order to stay out of jail, you need to contact a West Palm Beach DUI lawyer as soon as you can. Here at Haber | Blank LLP, our DUI lawyers do not just jump at the first plea deal the prosecution throws our way. We work diligently to achieve the best possible outcome for our clients, each and every time.
Consequences of a Florida DUI
Put quite simply, a DUI can ruin your life. It can impact your job, your social status, your relationships, and your finances. The legal ramifications of a DUI may include the following penalties:
- Jail time (mandatory jail time in certain scenarios)
- Driver’s license revocation
- Fines
- Installation of an ignition interlock device
- Community service
- Impounded vehicle
- Increased insurance premium
- Substance abuse counseling and monthly reporting
- DUI driver’s school
- A DUI stays on your driving record for 75 years
A misdemeanor or felony DUI is part of the public record, meaning that a DUI stays with you long after your period of probation or jail sentence. As such, a DUI can, and likely will, impact your employment, ability to hold public office or run for a school board, etc. as it will show up on any background check run by potential employers. Furthermore, there is nothing to stop mortgage lenders from running a background check. If a bank is on the fence about offering a loan, a DUI record can be the straw that breaks the camel’s back.
Causing Bodily Injury While Drunk Driving
If you are involved in a collision that injures another road user, including your own passengers, you can be charged with a third-degree felony if you were driving under the influence and are proven to be at fault. And there is a high likelihood that you will be found at fault, given the fact that you were intoxicated. A third-degree felony carries a fine of up to $5,000 and five years in state prison. As a DUI driver, killing another road user is a second-degree felony and requires a mandatory minimum prison sentence of four years. The maximum prison sentence, however, can be up to 30 years.
Call a West Palm Beach DUI Lawyer Today
DUI drivers kill over 10,000 people a year and injure countless others. Prosecutors know this, and never go easy on DUI defendants, even if it is their first run-in with the law. As such, it is absolutely critical to your future that you work with a West Palm Beach DUI lawyer. Do not hesitate to call Haber | Blank LLP today at 954-767-0300 to schedule a free consultation.
