2nd DUI in Florida

Getting arrested for driving under the influence can be a nerve-racking event. Now, getting arrested for your second DUI, that’s a whole different story. As a general rule of thumb, the sentencing and penalties for crimes get worse with each subsequent offense, and DUI is NO exception.

If you’ve been convicted of DUI in Florida before, you’ve already been through the wringer. So understandably, you’re going to want to fight your DUI charges.

In the face of a second DUI, here are the penalties that you are up against:

·         Fines ranging between $1,000 and $2,000.

·         If your blood alcohol level (BAL) was 0.15% or higher or if you had a minor in the vehicle, you face up to $4,000 in fines.

·         Up to 9 months behind bars.

·         With a BAL of 0.15% or above, or a minor in your vehicle, you could be sent to jail for up to 12 months.

·         30 days vehicle impoundment.

·         License revocation for a minimum of 5 years (if this was your second DUI within 5 years). However, you may be eligible for a hardship reinstatement after one year.

·         If it’s been more than 5 years since your first DUI, your license will be revoked for 180 days to 1 year.

·         If you are a commercial driver’s license holder, you will be permanently disqualified from driving commercial vehicles.

·         You are required to complete DUI School (second DUI within 5 years).

·         You will be required to install an Ignition Interlock Device (IID) for at least one year.

When does it become a felony DUI?

Generally, first and second DUIs are misdemeanors. If an intoxicated driver caused personal injuryor property damage to another, they are guilty of a first degree misdemeanor, punishable by up to a $1,000 fine and up to one year in jail.

On the other hand, whenever someone is convicted of a third DUI within 10 years, he or she is guilty of a third degree felony, punishable by a fine not to exceed $5,000 and/or 5 years in prison.

Are you facing charges for a second DUI in Miami? Don’t hesitate to contact my firm, Jonathan Blecher, P.A. for a free case evaluation. As a former prosecutor with over 30 years of DUI defense experience, I have what it takes to defend you!

Miami Beach Police Secure $100K for DUI Enforcement

According to a recent article in the Miami New Times, the number of drunk driving arrests in Miami Beach have been noticeably down in recent years.

In 2011, a reorganization of police patrol zones made it so the local police were concentrating more of their efforts towards combatting other types of crimes than nabbing drunk drivers.

The 2011 changes pressed on despite the fact that Miami Beach continues to have a high number of alcohol-related accidents. Of all of the Florida cities with more than 75,000 residents, Miami Beach comes in sixth for DUI crashes, despite the fact that it has a relatively low population.

Things are about the change. The Miami Beach Police Department secured a $100,000 grant from the Florida Department of Transportation, money which is going to the department so it can beef up its DUI enforcement efforts, the Miami New Timesreported.

What You Can Expect in 2016

So, what does this $100,000 grant mean to you? You can expect to see more DUI checkpoints and saturation patrols throughout Miami Beach in 2016. Part of that money will be used to pay for the officers’ work and overtime.

Under the law, all of the saturation patrols and checkpoints will be publicized by the department through traditional media and social media outlets. Additionally, the department will be running an awareness campaign with the infamous slogan that’s used nationwide, “Drive sober or get pulled over.”

The department’s goal is to reduce drunk driving crashes by 3 percent, and they intend to increase the city’s DUI arrests by 7 percent. Over the life of the grant, the campaign will include 21 saturation patrols and three checkpoints.

In 2013, the Miami Herald reported that after the patrol reorganization, DUI arrests were down below 500 a year. In 2009, the Miami Beach Police Department made nearly 1,200 DUI arrests.

If you’re facing DUI charges in Miami, contact Jonathan Blecher, P.A. to work with a former prosecutor with over 30 years’ experience!