DUI Defense for Professionals in Orlando

If you are a licensed professional in Florida, such as a doctor, nurse, lawyer, teacher, pilot, realtor, accountant, or commercial driver, when Orange County deputies or Orlando police officers charge you with driving under the influence (DUI), your problems come at you from two directions: the criminal justice system and your professional licensing board.

Our skilled DUI attorneys understand the gravity of your situation and apply our unique talents to your criminal case and represent you in front of your licensing board, since in some instances you face losing your license. We begin with an ardent DUI defense for professionals in Orlando because, without a conviction, your licensing board probably will not take further action against you.

DUI Laws and Consequences

Florida Statutes § 316.193 sets the limit for drunk driving blood alcohol content (BAC) at .08 percent or if law enforcement suspects you are impaired because of your mannerisms.

Penalties for a conviction consider aggravating factors, such as children as passengers or if your breathalyzer test exceeds 0.15 percent. First and second DUIs are misdemeanors but the third is a felony if it occurs within 10 years of the second charge. Subsequent charges are third-degree felonies. Even a first DUI can land you in jail for up to six months and subject you to probation, fines, community service, license suspension and installation of an Ignition Interlock Device (IID), all of which is at the discretion of the judge. Additionally, a DUI conviction could remain on your record for 75 years.

Professionals convicted of DUI can face suspension of their professional license, public reprimands, revocation of licenses, mandated alcohol programs, and continued monitoring because their fitness to practice has been questioned. If you are a professional in Orlando and you have been arrested or already convicted of DUI, our attorneys can represent you in criminal court and present a strong defense or mitigate your penalties by representing you before your licensing board.

Defenses for Professionals Charged with DUI

Your DUI defense may come as early as law enforcement detains you. Under the Fourth Amendment of the U.S. Constitution, officers must have probable cause to stop and search you and your auto. If they violate your rights, any evidence confiscated from you or your auto, such as an open bottle of alcohol in the glove compartment, the search is invalid, and the evidence void. In general, police need a search warrant to detain and search you, your auto, or your home. But there are exceptions.

If you consent to a search or the damning evidence is in plain view, such as that liquor bottle on the passenger seat, or if you decide to outrun the police and they are in hot pursuit of you. There is also an automobile exception that allows a search if the officer believes you are intoxicated or high because you are weaving, driving well below the speed limit, or cannot stay in your lane.

Police violate your Fifth Amendment rights by failing to warn you that you can remain silent and you have a right to consult an attorney before you give any statement. You are required to provide basic information, such as your name, and documentation such as your driver’s license and insurance card. Other defenses our attorneys will explore include:

• Challenging the portable breathalyzer the officer uses in the field, which is not as accurate as those used at the station
• Proving you have a medical condition, such as diabetes, which can cause you to slur words and be disoriented if your sugar is low
• The chain of custody for evidence was breached
• You are using a legal drug prescription drug in the manner prescribed
• You are sleeping in your car, and the keys are not within your reach, which could indicate you do not have control over the vehicle, a necessary element to charge you

Defending a DUI is stressful for anybody accused, but when your professional career is at stake, our attorneys can provide you with the best DUI defense for professional license holders in Orlando.

Our Orlando Attorneys are Equipped with DUI Defenses for Professionals

For thoughtful, aggressive, and caring representation after you are charged with DUI, or to mitigate the damage to your professional license, our criminal defense attorneys are ready to advocate for the best outcome. We build credible defenses and may be able to get your charges reduced to reckless driving to circumvent trouble with your licensing board.

We can also appear before the board to negotiate less draconian penalties. We will find a solution. We have successfully presented hundreds of defenses for professionals charged with DUI, so call us now and we will get to work for you.