Reader’s Question:

I need to get an SR22 with my new auto insurance policy because of my DUI to get my license reinstated but it seems like I would have problems getting it. Is it true that I need to pay the policy in full so that I can be issued an SR22 here in Jacksonville, Florida?

Forrest

Jacksonville, FL

The Florida Financial Responsibility Law mandates drivers and owners of automobiles to be financially responsible for damages and/or injuries they could cause to others when an accident happens. Your driver’s license would be in suspension for up to three years if you violate this law and you don’t have insurance to abide with the financial responsibility law. You would need to pay a reinstatement fee and show them certified proof of full liability insurance or SR22 for three years from the original suspension to reinstate your license.

Whether you need to pay the SR22 in full or not depends on the reason why you need to get it. You would need to get a six-month paid in full insurance policy since you are ordered to get SR22 insurance in Jacksonville, Florida because of your DUI. Some auto insurance providers underwriting rules demand the SR22 to be paid in full no matter what the state requirement is.

Tags: auto insurance, auto insurance policy, DUI, SR22 insurance

Reader’s Question:

My brother was charged with drunk driving in Jacksonville, Florida. He is already scheduled for a hearing next week. What would be the major impact of this charge to his criminal records?

Monica

Jacksonville, FL

Generally, after a DUI arrest, the offender goes to the court for arraignment, trial or negotiated disposition and conviction or sentencing. During this proceeding, the lawyer can challenge the BAC test’s reliability, offer defense expert evidence that the driver offender was not under the influence, obtain “discovery”, which is a documented evidence important to the offender’s charges. Sentence then on the other hand ( if found guilty), determines how the conviction was classified, the amount of fines and taxes the offender needs to pay, how long will the license be suspended or revoked, and whether parole, community service or even imprisonment is warranted. Penalties may be severe for first time offenders and would always be greater for subsequent convictions.

Being convicted with DUI has subsequent criminal record impacts. As opposed to popular belief, a DUI conviction may remain on the offender’s record forever unless the state allows it to be taken off or expunged. Nevertheless, it will still appear on the offender’s record for employers, credit bureaus, and government agencies to see. The police practice of keeping records of convictions is separate on how far back the prosecutor can go to allege “prior convictions” against the offender to increase the penalties if convicted.

Always make sure that you and your brother knows the state laws on DUI. I suggest as well getting the service of a legal professional in defending your brother in his DUI case. Once everything is cleared out, start looking for an auto insurance that would have policies covering DUI accidents.

Tags: auto insurance, drunk driving laws, DUI

Reader’s Question:

My boyfriend was charged for driving under the influence in Jacksonville, Florida. His driver’s license was already held up and was summoned for an Administrative hearing. What is this all about and is it different from the criminal charge filed against him?

Andrea

Jacksonville, FL

There are two faces in relation to DUI or DWI conviction, the administrative license suspension and a criminal charge. The administrative side relates to the driver’s license and driving records. The criminal aspect on the other hand relates fines, fees, penalties and the likes.

You boyfriend may face both Administrative and criminal charges. Under an administrative driver’s license suspension, his license is taken away even before he gets convicted should he refuse to take a sobriety test. To some other states, they automatically take away the licenses during DUI arrests regardless if the offender submits to the blood-alcohol test. Most courts in Jacksonville, Florida conduct an administrative hearing shortly after the arrest. This hearing is different from the court proceedings following the case. The administrative hearing address the factors surrounding the arrest like the arrest itself if it is based on reasonable ground, if the police officer offered to take a BAC test, if the officer gave enough information to the offender should the test failed and suspension or revocation of the driver’s license.

Generally, the Administrative part of a DUI arrest or conviction deals with the basis of the offense as well as the surrounding factors. The determination of the penalties and fines rests on the criminal charges. I suggest that your boyfriend hire the services of a DUI lawyer that could defend him of such charges. And after the case, I also suggest to him that he would definitely need to look for an auto insurance that would cater to him being involved in DUI case.

Tags: auto insurance, driver’s license, DUI, DUI lawyer

Reader’s Question:

My cousin was arrested for DUI last month in Jacksonville, Florida. What are the possible penalties she must face since this was her first time?

Tanya

Jacksonville, FL

Driving under the influence of alcohol is considered a criminal offense regardless which county your cousin may have committed it. There had been stringent road laws all around the United States, in which driving under the influence can lead to harsh punishment and higher penalty amount. Of course it depends on the severity and nature of the offense.

Jacksonville, Florida had one of the highest numbers of DUI arrests. State police as well as the MVA are trying to minimize DUI related cases by imposing harsher penalties and higher fines. First offenders may pay a fine of $250-$500 whereas second time offenders pays $500-$1000. Third offenders face a larger amount of penalty and jail time. For notorious or repeated offense, which actually depends on the seriousness of the offense, may lead the offender from a minimum of 6 months jail time up to a maximum of 30 years especially for drivers involved in vehicular accidents due to DUI.

Indeed, driving is actually not a privilege. It’s a big responsibility especially that you and your cousin live in a city where a large number of DUI cases had been recorded. The law had imposed harsher regulations just to minimize effect. I would suggest that, once your cousin is cleared out from this DUI case, start checking for low priced auto insurance that would keep you covered from road accidents.

Tags: DUI, DUI lawyer, DUI penalties

Reader’s Question:

My best friend got arrested for DUI in Jacksonville, Florida and temporarily released after paying the bail amount. What procedures take place on arraignments?

Patty

Jacksonville, FL

The first phase of courtroom proceedings is the arraignment. The arraignment in DUI cases represents the first and last time that the offender presents himself in court. DUI offenders usually plead guilty most especially if intoxication evidences are strong and there’s a minimal chance of plea bargain exists.

During an arraignment, the offender is summoned before the criminal court judge, who then reads the criminal charges against the person (who is now pertained to as “defendant”). The offender is asked if he has an attorney to defend his side, or if the court needs to provide a lawyer for the defendant. In his process, the offender is also being asked how does he/she pleads to the charges (which can be guilty, not guilty or no contest). A revisit for the bail may also be reviewed during arraignments. During this period as well that announcement for future proceedings in the case are finalized (these are preliminary hearings, pre-trial motions and the trial itself).

Being involved in a DUI case especially here in Jacksonville Florida is not an easy situation. The service of a DUI lawyer would be a great assistance for you. It has always been a great dilemma for driver’s being caught in such sticky situation. I also recommend getting a reliable and affordable auto insurance that would not let you go even in cases like these.

Tags: auto insurance, DUI, DUI lawyer, DUI trial

Reader’s Question:

My brother was charged with felony DUI here in Jacksonville, Florida and we were just wondering if there’s a way the charge can be reduced. How can his felony DUI be dropped to a misdemeanor?

Hayleigh

Jacksonville, FL

If your brother has a prior DUI, it is common for him to be automatically charged with a felony DUI. A felony DUI case is a serious business because it usually carries jail time if it won’t be dropped to a misdemeanor. The first thing your brother needs to do if he wants his felony DUI in Jacksonville, Florida to be dropped to a misdemeanor case is to call a lawyer who specializes in DUI cases in the state of Florida. Even if he doesn’t hire a lawyer, he can ask if it would be possible to get his charge dropped to a misdemeanor charge. He can try to get a clue from the lawyer how he would approach that effort in the jurisdiction of your charge.

Your brother can also talk with the prosecutor and ask if the DUI case could be reduced to a misdemeanor count. He could find a sympathetic prosecutor who would listen to what he has to say and reduce the charge instantly without having to do anything else. Also, remember that a felony or misdemeanor DUI may cause his car insurance to increase substantially so advise him that he can get a cheap but dependable car insurance from this website so should get an online rate quote now.

Tags: car insurance, DUI, DUI lawyer, felony DUI

Reader’s Question:

I am moving to Jacksonville, Florida and I was previously charged with DUI. Would it also reflect in my records here in Florida?

Timmy

Jacksonville, FL

If you are asking if your previous conviction would affect your driving career in Jacksonville, Florida, then the answer is yes. It has an enormous impact not only on your driver’s license but also in getting insurance premiums and rates. Laws pertaining to DWI and DUI in the United States determine your driving privilege within the state. Moving to a different state after a DUI/DWI arrest or conviction to avoid penalties is really not a good idea. There are certainly some factors that you need to consider. We have what we call Interstate driver’s license compact. This is an agreement that allows all 45 states in the US to share information about certain types of conviction such as DUI and DWI. Florida is one of the states which enforces this compact and is included on this agreement. In short, if you are convicted with DUI in Texas and got your license suspended, your license is suspended as well within all 44 states. One more agreement to consider is the Non resident violator compact. In this agreement, unpaid fines and penalties for traffic rules violation in another state can have your license revoked and or suspended in the state where you are driving.

I also understand that driving privilege is really important. I suggest you get a good lawyer that has better understanding on your state laws about DUI and DWI. Above all, a good car insurance package for people who had previous DUI/DWI record maybe of some help.

Tags: car insurance, DUI, DUI conviction, DUI lawyer

Reader’s Question:

I’m having my driver’s license reinstated soon after a DUI conviction here in Jacksonville, Florida? What is the process involved in getting my driver’s license back after the suspension period?

Vinnie

Jacksonville, FL

The very first thing that you need to do to reinstate your driver’s license after your DUI conviction in Jacksonville, Florida is to know what is on your driving record. You can do that by purchasing it from the Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) then you need to call them and ask them what other DMV fees are needed to reinstate your driver’s license. There’s usually a $5 reinstatement fee and also payment for all other outstanding parking/moving violation fines.

With all the information that you need, you have to file for an SR22 auto insurance with your current insurance company. If they don’t offer SR22 coverage, you can find another company with the lowest price for your auto insurance. This website gladly offers free SR22 insurance quote so you can get the best deal for your auto insurance at a cheap price. If you have already been issued the SR22, you can go to a local DMV office to reinstate your driver’s license immediately.

Tags: auto insurance, driver’s license, DUI, DUI conviction, SR22 insurance

Reader’s Question:

I didn’t have a rate increase on my auto insurance when I got convicted for DUI here in Jacksonville, Florida. Will my premiums increase once they find out about it later on?

Marci

Jacksonville, FL

If your insurance company misses your DUI conviction in Jacksonville, Florida during the time that it happens, surely they will find out about it once you file an SR22 auto insurance that you will need to get your license back and restore your driving privileges. The SR22 auto insurance would be your proof that you have a liability insurance and this is being required by the Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV). The DMV also requires that they should be notified by your auto insurance company in case your insurance policy lapses or is cancelled for any reason.

Once the auto insurance company discovers your DUI conviction if you file an SR22, you will be considered a high risk driver and your auto insurance provider may still increase their rates. If the auto insurance company doesn’t offer SR22, they may cancel your policy or not renew it at the end of your coverage. In this case, you would have to find another insurer who will provide an auto insurance policy with SR22 insurance. You may find the best premium rates if you try to get an online rate quote available from this website.

Tags: auto insurance, DUI, DUI conviction, SR22 insurance

Reader’s Question:

Is it true that aside from the legal consequences that I could have if I will be convicted for my DUI case here in Jacksonville, Florida, it would also have hidden penalties?

Jaheem

Jacksonville, FL

If you will be convicted for your DUI case in Jacksonville, Florida, the legal consequences include the loss of your license, fines, court costs, probation, jail time, vehicle impoundment or forfeiture and installation of ignition interlock device on your car. Aside from these legal penalties, it’s true that there would also be “hidden” DUI penalties following a DUI conviction. The first on the list is the probable loss of your job or you can lose some opportunities for future employment. Your car insurance will also be affected as your premium rates will certainly increase.

Another “hidden” DUI penalty is with regard to travelling out of the state or abroad because it could be limited. Substance abuse treatment and community service are other consequences that a DUI prosecution and conviction could bring. So you have to protect yourself from unfair losses of your rights and privileges. You must obtain guidance through the legal and practical “minefield” that is a DUI case. You can definitely minimize the consequences of your DUI charge, or you can avoid them altogether by making sure that you make the most appropriate decisions before accepting any plea offers.

Tags: drunk driving laws, DUI, DUI cost, DUI lawyer, DUI penalties