Free DUI Lawyer Jacksonville Florida

Reader’s Question:

I submitted to the Intoxilyzer after being arrested for DWI. Did I make a mistake? Please also note that this is my first DWI case in Jacksonville. Will I be condemned to an active prison time?

Erika

Jacksonville, FL

To answer your first question Erika, in most cases, no you did not make a mistake. However, there is no unconditional regulation as to whether it is better for one’s argument to surrender a breath sample or not, however in spite of the conditions, a negative response will have an outcome in a one-year suspension of your Florida Driver’s License. Moreover, the analysis on the Intoxilyzer is not automatically ascertain of your guilt; herein, saying no to the submission of a breath test could without cause revoke somebody who has one more issue available to his or her innocence.Erika this time to answer your succeeding question, the answer will be a big yes. However, not including the occurrence of disgustingly infuriating factors, most people who were charged of a first-time DWI in Jacksonville FL are sentenced to a provisional probationary period of time. It should be noted, nevertheless, that the state law offers prosecutors the good judgment to sentence anyone convicted of DWI to active jail time. Moreover, if definite aspects are at hand and established by the State, one may be convicted to a period of obligatory jail time, and even a first time wrongdoer may be disallowed from having a restricted driving opportunity.

READER QUESTION:

What is an AV rated Jacksonville DUI attorney, and what is the benefit of using one?

Mark

Hey, Mark:

The AV rating system is a great way to gauge the expertise of the lawyers you are looking at. It is a system for lawyers, by lawyers, of lawyers, etc., etc. It’s basically a peer review system, the lawyer way of leaving a positive note on your Facebook wall. Okay, a little more complex than that, but you’re basically, when looking at an AV rated Jacksonville DUI attorney, seeing the opinion from the experts in the field, which has a lot more value than just the average recommendation.

An AV rating for an AV rated Jacksonville DUI attorney measures a couple of things. You’re going to get a high AV rating if you have a good deal of experience and expertise in your field, if your well esteemed amongst your peers, and if you have a stellar track record.

READER QUESTION:

What do I need to know when hiring a Jacksonville DUI attorney?

Tonya

Good question, Tanya.

You know, even if you go into your consultation armed with correct information, knowing the right questions is still one of the most important things in the process of hiring a Jacksonville DUI attorney. Here are a couple of suggestions. Bring a notepad!

• Ask the lawyer for the number of drunk driving cases s/he has taken to court.
• Are you a scholar in DUI law (i.e. are you published?)?
• Has someone in your firm been experienced in showing police how to perform FSTs (field sobriety tests)?
• How much of your time do you spend on defending DUI cases?
• Do you regularly attend or conduct seminars on drunk driving case law and defense?
• Do you or any of your employees have any experience in prosecution of DUI cases?

This is just a short list, which should be taken along with ratings, references, and other factors, but it will give you a good look into whether hiring a Jacksonville DUI attorney from this particular law firm is a good idea for you.

–Fashun

READER QUESTION:

Can i find a jacksonville dui lawyer online?

craig

Well, Craig:

Many prominent lawyers, from drunk driving law to divorce law to immigration law, have their own websites where they post pricing information, contacts, references, and so on. These sites are often excellent sources of information on DUI law and can provide insight into the lawyer in question, so you can, technically, find a Jacksonville DUI laywer online.

However, when dealing with an online Jacksonville DUI lawyer, you have to act like your walking on ice. The internet is a place where truth is shifty, and this is no different when dealing with legal representatives. Some lawyers who claim on their websites to specialize in DUI law really have no experience in the area, and may offer their “advice” for extremely low prices. While low prices don’t always mean low quality, they should send up a red flag or two.

Even if you take a lawyer’s website into account, the best way to choose your lawyer is to actually meet them in person and speak with them.

–Fashun

When you go see a Miami FL DWI lawyer, it’s important to know what evidence there is against you when it comes to your DUI. There are a few categories that this evidence falls into, and here is a list.

• Physical symptoms.

There are a few things about your physical actions and appearance which could give away intoxication, such as slurring your speech, reddenned or bloodshot eyes, and the like.

• Driving evidence.

Normally, cops will pull you over because something about your driving gives away intoxication. This could include things such as weaving in and out of your lane, driving with your headlights off, stopping and going constantly, and so on.

• What you say.

Sometimes, you just give yourself away with your words. You may say that you had a six pack of Bud Light (only!), which may seem like nothing in your drunken state but is a big hit against you.

• BAC.

Your blood alcohol level can be taken a couple of ways. Sometimes through a breath test and other times in other ways, but it’s level can determine the proof and severity of your charges. Your Miami FL DWI lawyer needs to know the results of all of this.

Although I advise getting a Jacksonville FL DUI attorney involved in pretty much every case, sometimes you have to make a decision and with money tight, want to save as much as you can. So are there any situations in which you don’t need a lawyer? Here are a few levels of need.

1. You might need a lawyer if this is your first conviction and you don’t have a good understanding of DUI law, the consequences for a conviction, and your options. It’s also possible that you will need a Jacksonville FL DUI attorney if your job is one which requires bonding, or if you have a job which could deny you a license to practice your profession based on your DUI conviction.

2. You should get a lawyer if this is the second time you have been caught for drunk driving, or if you were caught with your blood alcohol limit over .20. In these situations, the penalties are more stiff and it’s more difficult to get a plea bargain.

3. You absolutely need a Jacksonville FL DUI attorney if this is one in a string of many DUI offenses; if you were drunk driving and got into a car accident, especially if it was with another car, and even more especially if someone was hurt or killed as a result of the accident; if your job is as a driver and your ability to work depends on your use of your driver’s license.

So, once you find your Miami DUI lawyer, what exactly can your DUI lawyer do for you?

• Take a look at what’s going on. An experienced Miami DUI lawyer can tell you right off the bat what possible consequences you can face when up against a DUI conviction, and if they spend a lot of time on DUI cases, then they’re bound to know more than a representative the state might get you. This is why it’s important to hire your own lawyer if you have the money.
• Give you an explanation. DUI law is complicated, especially you get into the less populated terroritories, such as if you’re under the age of 18 (or someone under the age of 18 was in the car with you), or your BAC was upwards of .20. A good Miami DUI lawyer can sit you down and explain the ins and outs while offering possible plea bargains, so that you can decide which way you will go with your case.
• Handle the paperwork. There’s a lot of manual work that goes along with a conviction for drunk driving, and a lawyer can ease the stress by filling out your paperwork, scheduling hearings, and dealing with the DMV.
• Represent you before a judge. This is the main thing people think about when they think of a lawyer, and it’s one of the many things a Miami DUI lawyer can do for. By representing you, they can argue for you to be allowed the plea bargains you discussed a couple steps earlier.

You can’t go into your DUI trial knowing absolutely nothing about what you’re getting yourself into. Even if you have the best Fort Lauderdale DUI lawyer ever, you should still educate yourself enough so that you can follow what’s going on and even possibly check on your lawyer. Attorneys aren’t prfect, after all–surely you’ve heard the jokes?

Before you even start looking for a Fort Lauderdale DUI lawyer, you should have a basic understanding of Florida DUI laws which may apply to you. Here’s a breakdown:

1. As soon as you get booked, your license is going to be suspended. You’ll be allowed a temp license for 10 days, and then for a month after that you’re license will be absolutely suspended, and then, if you qualify, you could get a hardship license to get yourself to and from work. If not, you’re license-less for the next six months.

2. A DUI conviction will go on your criminal record. This could affect future chances of employment.

3. If you are convicted of drunk driving, you could spend as much as 6 months in jail on your first time, 9 on your second and 12 on your third. The length of stays are even higher if you have a minor in the car with you or if your blood alcohol level exceeds .20

4. Your vehice could be impounded.

You’re eyes were probably a little bleary when you saw the red and blue lights reflecting across your rearview mirror as you drove. Maybe you had only ‘had a few’ or maybe you had a few too much, but either way, you probably didn’t think of the consequences when you inserted the key in the ignition, and so as you find yourself coming off of the fear and guilt and humiliation you probably experienced as you had to walk in a straight line and undergo other tests in front of other cars whizzing by, you probably realize that you aren’t prepared for this at all, and don’t know what you’re next step will be.

The primary thing on your mind should be whether or not you want a Florida DUI lawyer to represent you and your case. Even if you think the case is open and shut–you did it, right, might as well fess up?–that doesn’t mean that hiring a lawyer is necessarily out of the question. The decision should be a pretty simple one–you should. Especially in a high stakes case such as a DUI one.

The best Florida DUI lawyer will measure up to several standards. He or she will:

• be knowledgeable of Florida DUI law.
• handle DUI cases either exclusively or at least 50% of the time.
• be an expert in this area of law
• be in good standing within the bar

You shouldn’t choose a Florida DUI lawyer based only on these superficial characteristics, though. If you intend on hiring one, you should see them in person. Most of the time, you will be able to get a free or at least very cheap consultation with a DUI lawyer. You need to know if this is someone you feel you can trust, who you will be willing to work with over the course of your case. If you have difficulty finding a lawyer, just open up the yellow pages or call your state bar association. You can also find a list of DUI lawyers here.