A driving under the influence (DUI) charge can change your life in an instant and take away your sense of security. It can also damage your most cherished relationships and your professional career. However, you could fight back in court with the help of an experienced Gainesville DUI lawyer from The Law Offices of Robert David Malove.
With over 60 years of combined experience, our attorneys have defended the rights of many South Florida residents whom law enforcement has accused of DUI and other crimes. Let our criminal defense lawyers help you fight these allegations, too.
Understanding State DUI Laws
State laws prohibit drunk driving and punish people who do not adhere to them. The basis of a DUI charge is a blood alcohol content of 0.04 percent for commercial motor vehicle drivers and 0.08 percent for other motorists operating their vehicle at the time of their arrest.
These laws apply even if you feel fine and operate your vehicle normally. When a law enforcement officer initiates a traffic stop, conducts a breathalyzer test, and finds that your blood alcohol levels are at or exceed those numbers, they can arrest you on drunk driving charges. Without the assistance of an experienced DUI attorney in Gainesville, you may face serious penalties, including possible jail time.
What Are the Consequences of a DUI Conviction?
Depending on the severity of the situation, a DUI conviction may include the following:
- Monetary fines
- Probation or community service
- Vehicle impoundment
- License suspension for up to a year
- A prison sentence
In some cases, defendants may receive all these penalties, even if it is their first DUI offense. Repeat DUI offenses receive harsh penalties, as the state mandates severe punishment for offenders. The state may charge a DUI as a felony if it is the third offense within 10 years of the first. Penalties include a 10-day vehicle impoundment, DUI school, license suspension for up to five years, jail time, imposition of an ignition interlock device, and monetary fines.
If your alleged DUI involved severe bodily harm or injury or led to involuntary manslaughter, you may face a long imprisonment and a personal injury or wrongful death civil lawsuit, making the assistance of an experienced Gainesville legal team important.
Possible Defense Strategies for a DUI Case
An experienced drunk driving defense attorney from our firm could defend you in Gainesville by deploying proven strategies we design to not only question the circumstances of the arrest but also find weaknesses in the prosecution’s argument. We center DUI defense strategies around the following possibilities:
- Investigating the traffic stop by establishing whether there was a valid reason for it
- Determining whether law enforcement conducted the sobriety or breathalyzer test accurately
- Identifying malfunctions in the tools law enforcement used for the tests and questioning their reliability
- Establishing that a pre-existing health problem may have compromised your field sobriety tests
- Proving that you were not in actual physical control of the car
- Establishing a case against the arresting officer based on a rights violation—for instance, not properly reading your rights during your arrest
Contact Our Lawyers About Representing You for a DUI in Gainesville
The threat of a DUI charge can cause tremendous anxiety and stress. At The Law Offices of Robert David Malove, we understand our clients’ fear of losing their freedom or a court unfairly labeling them as criminals.
A Gainesville DUI lawyer from our firm could listen to your concerns, fight for your rights, and work to secure reduced charges, dismissal, exoneration, or another favorable outcome. Call today to discuss your case.