CALL US IF YOU HAVE BEEN ARRESTED FOR A DUI 813-444-4777
Driving Under the Influence (DUI), Aggravated DUI and DUI related issues are criminal charges. They are one of the most common crimes in the United States and not to be taken lightly. If you have been charged with an alcohol-related offense there are penalties you could face that will impact your life. At Chamberlin Law Firm, our experienced lawyers specialize in ensuring your rights are represented and the future of your driving privileges are protected.
The first step you should take after a DUI arrest is to call Hunter Chamberlin for a free initial consultation. Whether you are facing your first, second or third offense, Hunter Chamberlin will represent you by ensuring the Breathalyzer and blood test from your DUI arrest was legitimately administered and admissible in court. He will take the time to understand your charges, advise you of your rights and determine what defenses are appropriate for your case. As a former prosecutor, Hunter Chamberlin has the experience it takes to best position your case before the State.
Call today, your future depends on it: 813-444-4777.
What to do when pulled over DUI?
In Florida, if you are pulled over by the police while driving under the influence of alcohol, whether you are heading home from a party or you grabbed a beer after work, you are required to take a test only if you are arrested for DUI. This gives you one window of opportunity; avoid being arrested.
Immediately, if you are stopped, pull over safely and get ready to show the officers your proof of insurance, license, and registration. The officer uses the opportunity to ascertain state. It shows how quick and accurate you respond to commands. We recommend keeping the documents somewhere nearby, such as in a Ziploc bag in your glove compartment, for easy and fast retrieval.
CALL US IF YOU HAVE BEEN ARRESTED FOR A DUI 813-444-4777
Be Polite
You are not legally bound to tell the officer more information apart from providing your license, proof of insurance, and registration unless you are in an accident. Therefore, it is prudent not to say much and answer the officer’s questions honestly. Keep in mind, the officer had probable cause to stop you and how you respond is crucial.
CALL US IF YOU HAVE BEEN ARRESTED FOR A DUI 813-444-4777
Avoid Self-Incrimination
In most cases, the officer will ask you if you have been drinking. Try as much as possible not to self-incriminate yourself by admitting that you had consumed alcohol. The officer may have smelled your breath for alcoholic beverages and your acceptance puts you in trouble.
CALL US IF YOU HAVE BEEN ARRESTED FOR A DUI 813-444-4777
Getting Out of the Car
It is advisable not to get out of the car voluntarily. You may even refuse the request by citing safety reasons on the roadway. Remember to remain polite when doing so. If the officer insists, do not refuse lest you will be arrested. You can just say that you do not want to do a roadside evaluation without an attorney, keeping in mind that you are not allowed by law to do it.
CALL US IF YOU HAVE BEEN ARRESTED FOR A DUI 813-444-4777
Ask for an Attorney
You can request the officer to let you call your attorney if it gets pushy. Additionally, you can politely hand over the keys to the officer and seek to take a cab home. This may result in the towing of your car.
CALL US IF YOU HAVE BEEN ARRESTED FOR A DUI 813-444-4777
Hire an Experienced Attorney
In case you are arrested for DUI, you will need an attorney. You need an attorney with the experience necessary in handling DUI cases because they know what to expect and the available options.
As a prosecutor, Hunter handled hundreds of DUI cases, including many trials before juries. That knowledge and experience allow Hunter to quickly hone in on the possible strengths and weaknesses of a DUI case, maximizing the chances for a successful outcome in both the administrative and criminal cases. If you or someone you know has been charged with a DUI, contact Chamberlin Law Firm today for a free initial consultation.
CALL US IF YOU HAVE BEEN ARRESTED FOR A DUI 813-444-4777
Being stopped and arrested for Driving Under the Influence (DUI) can be a scary and confusing experience. For example, few individuals are aware that under Florida law, a driver can be arrested and convicted of a DUI offense even if their breath alcohol content is below a 0.08. An individual stopped by a law enforcement officer for suspicion of DUI will be confronted with several significant choices to make, including whether to agree to perform roadside tests or not (did you know you have the right to refuse to perform those tests?), and whether or not to provide a breath sample. Usually, these decisions have to be made on the spot, and they can have serious consequences.
If you choose to provide a breath sample to a police officer, and that sample results in a reading of 0.08 or higher, you will be facing not one but two separate legal matters. First, you will have to defend an administrative suspension of your license, which takes effect 10 days after the administrative suspension unless you file a request for a formal review of that suspension with the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles (DHSMV). If the request is not made within 10 days, you forfeit forever the right to contest the administrative suspension.
In addition to the administrative proceedings, you will also have a criminal case against which you will have to defend. The criminal penalties for DUI conviction depend on a number of factors including the breath reading, the number of prior DUI convictions you may have, how recent those DUI convictions may have been, and a variety of other factors. Under certain circumstances, a DUI charge can be reduced to a less severe charge, such as a charge of reckless driving. That reduction can have a number of benefits, including preventing a dramatic increase in your insurance rates and preserving the possibility of sealing your case in the future.
As a prosecutor, Hunter handled hundreds of DUI cases, including many trials before juries. That knowledge and experience allow Hunter to quickly hone in on the possible strengths and weaknesses of a DUI case, maximizing the chances for a successful outcome in both the administrative and criminal cases. If you or someone you know has been charged with a DUI, contact Chamberlin Law Firm today for a free initial consultation.
