Up there with distracted and reckless driving, drunk driving is one of the leading causes of car accident fatalities. For this reason alone, Florida has implemented strict DUI laws to keep the roadways as safe as possible. Regardless of the efforts of state legislators, drunk driving continues to occur often, but those charged with a DUI do have legal resources.
Many people believe that being accused of a DUI equates to a conviction, but that isn’t so. Knowledgeable defense attorneys can inspect every letter of the law, highlight precedents, and use the language of particular statutes or regulations in favor of the afflicted. Those unaware of the legal resources available to them will simply accept the assistance of a public defender or worse, not acquire legal representation altogether. Statistics show that your chances of being convicted of a DUI drastically increase without legal representation or when represented by a public defender. Ensure that your case is managed with careful hands when you acquire the services of a Melbourne DUI lawyer.
Being charged and being convicted of a DUI are two different instances that carry separate repercussions. While convictions may warrant jail time or probation, being charged with a DUI can lead to the following:
On the occasion that your license is valid at the time of the incident, the courts will allow you to drive with your DUI citation for the following ten days. During that time, however, you must request a formal review hearing to challenge the administrative suspension of your driver’s license if you wish to get it back. This is known as the Ten-Day Rule.
Those who request an administrative hearing within the allotted ten-day time frame will receive a temporary license valid for up to seven days after the hearing. Those who fail to submit a timely request for a formal hearing will have their license suspended for anywhere from six to eighteen months, depending on the specifics of the case.
Drivers who choose not to seek legal counsel may unknowingly allow the specified time frame to request a hearing to expire, inadvertently agreeing to have their license suspended for six months. Don’t let one poor decision have a lasting effect on your driving ability. Trust the Melbourne DUI lawyers to provide reliable and thorough legal representation.
William Umansky with The Umansky Law Firm has practiced criminal law for over two decades and is very knowledgeable of Florida drunk driving laws. During that time, he has built a team of experienced lawyers who are unafraid of prosecutors, judges or trials by jury. If you’ve been charged with a DUI, contact us today. We can evaluate your case and discuss your legal options at no cost to you.
The Umansky Law Firm Criminal Defense & Injury Attorneys
