Free DUI Lawyer Jacksonville Florida

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.

Reader’s Question:

My cousin was charged with DUI here in Jacksonville, Florida and he worries too much about the money he’d likely have to spend at the course of his trial. How much does bail usually amounts to and how much would be the court costs and probation?

Eden

Jacksonville, FL

The cost of DUI varies greatly and it would not be the same for everyone, but honestly, it would cost a lot if someone would be convicted for DUI. The bail amount on your cousin’s DUI charge in Jacksonville, Florida would also greatly vary, depending on several factors. A handful of very lucky people get personal recognizance bonds, which cost nothing but the promise to appear in court. But most individuals should pay between $50 and $500 to be released. The court costs would be between $160 and $300 and that excludes any subpoena fees. Also, if a videotape was used, there would be $15 more that is assessed.

Probation fees would depend upon the length of probation. $25-$40 per month would be the statutory range for such fees, so if the probation would be for two years, it could cost as much as $960. The maximum monthly fee for probation is $60 per month so that means if the probation is for two years, the total cost would be $1,440. Regular conditions of probation also include the completion of a DUI education program and this usually costs $50-$125.

Reader’s Question:

If a person is charged with DUI in Jacksonville, Florida, is it gonna be automatic that the person will be sent to jail? What other instances that a person can be convicted for DUI?

Mina

Jacksonville, FL

Only under certain circumstances in DUI cases that a person is in danger of being sent to prison. For example, refusing to submit or give a sample of breath or blood could get a driver a jail term. But in any case, the driver should hire the services of a good DUI lawyer in Jacksonville, Florida because the DUI lawyer could point out the faults in the blood alcohol testing procedures and could protect you or at least reduce your punishment.

There are also other instances under which a person could be convicted for DUI. If a person is involved in a DUI case while driving at high speeds or could have been involved in an accident which involves children, the consequences would take that into account. Also, having a high blood alcohol reading would put a person in much greater risk of having a DUI conviction most especially if the prosecution can prove that the person’s ability to drive has been impaired because of the alcohol consumed or because of other substance. Whatever the case may be, it would be imperative that the driver act fast and hire the services of a good DUI lawyer.

Reader’s Question:

Finding a good defense attorney seems to be so difficult after I have been charged with DUI here in Jacksonville, Florida. Could you please tell me how do I find a good DUI attorney?

Lisa

Jacksonville, FL

I understand that it can be difficult to find and retain a good DUI attorney in Jacksonville, Florida, especially if many attorneys are not experienced and fully capable of handling DUI cases. You have to make sure that you make the right inquiries so that it could help in finding the best DUI attorney. The very first thing that you would have to do is to make sure that the fees are thoroughly explained and in writing and find out if it already includes the administrative hearings held by the DMV. You also have to know if the fees include cost of expert witnesses and other requirements for the trial.

Then you would also have to make sure that the attorney is a DUI specialist which means that the attorney exclusively focuses on DUI defense. Find out also if the attorney has any record of complaints from the State Bar and if the attorney is Board-certified by the National College for DUI Defense. You might also want to ask if the attorney would have the blood samples reanalyzed by a lab. For this matter, the DUI attorney can call technical expert witnesses in police procedures and blood/breath analysis.

Reader’s Question:

I know that there can be a lot of challenges against a DUI arrest that my son could use on his DUI case in Jacksonville, Florida. What can be done if there was no reason or basis enough for the officer to stop a vehicle in a DUI arrest?

Georgina

Jacksonville, FL

Most DUI cases have won by challenging the reason for the vehicle being stopped. The police officer who asked someone to pull over should put forth some explanation to justify why the vehicle was stopped. This explanation should include the fact that the person committed a traffic violation which simply means that the officer should prove that the stop was lawful.

In your son’s DUI case in Jacksonville, Florida, if the police officer could not demonstrate that a traffic infraction was committed by your son, the DUI defense lawyer should file a motion to suppress. If there was no reason or basis enough for the police officer to stop your son’s vehicle, then there is also no basis for the DUI arrest. Therefore, the stop was illegal because the officer didn’t have any lawful reason to justify the DUI stop. If the judge agrees, then there would be a big chance that the entire DUI case would be dismissed.