SARASOTA COUNTY DUI LAWYER
Experienced D.U.I. Lawyer in Sarasota County, Florida
If you or a loved one has been arrested for a D.U.I., you may be facing many uncertainties. The consequences of a D.U.I. in Florida can be serious. You may be facing license revocation or fines. A D.U.I. can show up on your criminal record, affecting your reputation for the rest of your life. Individuals with D.U.I.s on their records report having difficulties traveling abroad and performing other tasks. A D.U.I. can also put your freedom in jeopardy due to potential jail sentencing. Furthermore, D.U.I. convictions can lead to higher insurance premiums, penalties, and other fees. The Law Offices of Michael M. Raheb understands the stress that a D.U.I. arrest can place on individuals and families.
It is important to remember that an arrest isn’t the equivalent of a conviction and that you have the right to defend yourself in a court of law. You are innocent until proven guilty. If you’ve been arrested for a D.U.I., it is important to seek the counsel of an experienced D.U.I. lawyer in Sarasota County, Florida. Officers are required to follow certain procedures when arresting an individual for D.U.I. If an officer fails to follow legal protocol, your case may be dismissed in court. An experienced D.U.I. lawyer can review the circumstances of your arrest, review all records, and determine whether your case was properly handled. In some cases, individuals may face the highest penalties under the law for D.U.I. when the reality is that the penalty can be greatly reduced through proper litigation. If you’ve been arrested for a D.U.I. in Sarasota County, Florida, you need The Law Offices of Michael M. Raheb.
Proper Police Procedure for D.U.I. Arrests in Florida
In order for the state’s D.U.I. conviction to be successful, the prosecutor must show that the officer who initially stopped you had grounds for stopping you and had probable cause to believe that you were driving under the influence of alcohol. If you were arrested, the arresting officer is required to follow certain protocols. For instance, the arresting officer is required to read you your Miranda rights. The officer is required to inform you that you are under arrest and to inform you why you have been arrested. Officers can detain individuals without arresting them. For instance, the officer can detain you and submit you to further sobriety testing. If you fail these tests, you can be arrested. Officers are also required to properly ask for your consent before submitting you to a chemical test. Florida is an implied consent state, meaning that if you have been lawfully arrested for a D.U.I., your choosing to drive is considered consent to taking a blood alcohol test. If you are arrested and refuse to take the test, you face immediate license suspension of one year. It is important to note that the officer must have lawfully arrested you prior to requesting that you take the chemical blood alcohol test. If an officer doesn’t follow proper procedure, pulled you over without cause, or failed to have probable cause, the prosecution may have difficulty convicting you of a D.U.I. in court. When you seek the counsel of a D.U.I. attorney, your lawyer will review the relevant details of your case to ensure that proper procedure was followed and that you were arrested on lawful grounds. The officer can ask you questions, but you always have a right to choose not to answer any questions asked of you.
Officers are always required to inform you about the crimes you are being charged for if you are under arrest. The officer who is arresting you is also required to identify themselves. If you have been arrested for a D.U.I., do not speak to any officers without requesting the counsel of an attorney. You have the right to remain silent and to refuse to answer questions and you have the right to have an attorney present during any interrogations. If you have been arrested for a D.U.I., or are facing D.U.I. charges, you need a skilled D.U.I. lawyer who can protect your rights. The Law Offices of Michael M. Raheb in Sarasota County, Florida has years of experience making sure individuals who face D.U.I. charges are treated fairly and properly.
Consequences of a D.U.I. in Florida
If you have been arrested for a D.U.I. in Florida, it is important to understand the possible consequences you could face if convicted. A first-time D.U.I. offender can face a jail sentence ranging up to one year, fines as high as $2,000, and license suspension up to one year. The legal blood alcohol limit in Florida is 0.08. If you fail a field sobriety test, you will be required to take a chemical blood alcohol test. If your blood alcohol level is found to be higher than the legal limit, you will be arrested. Second, third, and fourth-time D.U.I. offenders face greater consequences.
If you’ve been arrested for a D.U.I. in Sarasota County, Florida, you need a D.U.I. lawyer who can help you build a strong defense. With the help of a skilled D.U.I. lawyer, the consequences of a D.U.I. conviction can often be reduced, and in some cases, individuals who are innocent can avoid a conviction altogether. Contact the Law Offices of Michael M. Raheb today to learn more about how you can protect your driving privileges, your freedom, your reputation, and your future.
