Anyone who has been in trouble with the law in their past knows that a big part of moving forward is to keep your slate clean once your case is over. The more times you are arrested, the harsher the penalty the second or third time around. Additionally, if all of your charges are related to driving (such as a reckless driving, DUI, or other traffic violation) you run the risk of having harmful points add up on your driving record and you can lose your right to drive. Losing the ability to drive is huge, because you then have to rely on family and friends or public transportation to get around.
If you have more than one DUI, the penalties increase but the prosecution is not able to use prior cases that are too “old”. At some point the past simply has to stay in the past. Here is how it works:
- Second offense: if you are charged with a second DUI within five years of the first then the State is able to bring up your prior case.
- Third offense: a third offense has to occur within ten years to be of any consequence.
Offense that number beyond three can land you in jail and also cause you to permanently lose your driver’s license. In order to make sure that you receive the most lenient sentence possible and that the “punishment fits the crime”; call a qualified DUI defense attorney for help. Whether this is your first offense or you have been down this road before we know what to do in order to reach satisfactory results. With first time offenders the typical defense involves challenging the breath test results and advocating for a term of probation that is not too intrusive on your daily schedule. However if this is your second or subsequent offense the plan of attack changes. Our approach is to develop a defense strategy that meets fits the specific facts of your case while still meeting your needs. For more information or to learn what you can expect during your DUI case, call our office.
If you have questions about DUI defense, call our office for answers. Call an experienced criminal defense attorney in Stuart and the Treasure Coast. Your first visit is a free initial consultation.