Panama City DUI Attorney – Defense for Florida DUI Charges
Why Is It Important to Hire a Panama City DUI Attorney Immediately After an Arrest?
The earlier an attorney becomes involved, the more options may be available to protect your license and your record.
When you are facing a DUI arrest, having a knowledgeable Panama City DUI defense attorney involved early can safeguard your driver’s license, your record, and your future. At The Morris Law Firm, our attorneys have handled hundreds of DUI cases in Bay County, including Panama City Beach, Lynn Haven, and Callaway. We carefully analyze each case to identify legal defenses that could reduce charges, result in dismissal, or improve your outcome. A DUI arrest can jeopardize your driving privileges, employment, and freedom making it critical to act quickly and seek legal representation. Contact our Bay County DUI defense team today for a free case review at (850) 257-5680.
How Can a DUI Defense Attorney Challenge the Evidence in a Florida DUI Case?
DUI cases often involve challenges to traffic stops, breath testing procedures, and field sobriety exercises. We take a personal approach to defense representation, paying close attention to the small details that can often help to receive the best possible outcome of your DUI case.
Do You Handle DUI Cases in Panama City Beach, Lynn Haven, and Bay County Courts?
We represent DUI clients in Bay County courts, including Panama City, Panama City Beach, Lynn Haven, Callaway, and surrounding communities. Having a knowledgeable Panama City DUI lawyer involved early can safeguard your driving privileges and help secure the best possible result for your case. Schedule your free consultation for a DUI case review.
What Are the Penalties for a First DUI in Florida?
Too often, people charged with DUI (especially first time offenders) make the mistake of not hiring a good attorney to help fight the charges and simply accept the sentence handed down by the state. While each case has its own set of facts, with a good Panama City DUI attorney hired to handle your case, you can often achieve a much better resolution.
The penalties for even a first DUI conviction in Florida are severe:
- Fines of $500 to $1,000 if your blood alcohol level (BAL) was .08 or higher
- Fines of anywhere from $1,000 to $2,000 if your BAL was .15 or higher, or if you were driving with a minor in the car
- Community service (mandatory 50 hours, or an additional fine equaling $10 per required community service hour)
- Probation for up to one year
- Jail time of up to 6 months (for BAL .15 or higher, the sentence could last 9 months)
- Vehicle impoundment for 10 days (not counting during your incarceration)
- Driver’s license revoked for up to one year
Florida DUI penalties are governed primarily by Florida Statute § 316.193.
Dana Morris, a Bay County DUI defense attorney, has successfully defended hundreds of DUI clients throughout Panama City and the surrounding cities, minimizing penalties and challenging unlawful arrests or testing procedures. He wants to help you if you have been wrongfully accused. He has handled DUI cases involving breath test challenges, traffic stop legality issues, and field sobriety testing defenses.
What Laws Govern DUI in Florida?
Florida DUI offenses are primarily prosecuted under Florida Statute § 316.193, which defines impairment, unlawful blood alcohol levels, penalties, and enhancement factors. Administrative license suspensions are handled through the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles (DHSMV).
When Is a DUI charged as a Misdemeanor in Florida?
A first or second DUI and a DUI involving property damage or minor injury are charged as a first-degree misdemeanors under Florida law. Convictions carry fines up to $1,000 and jail time of up to one year. Even visitors or spring break tourists can face these penalties. Early legal defense can reduce or dismiss these charges.
When Does a DUI Become a Felony in Florida?
In Florida, you may be charged with a felony DUI if you receive three DUIs in 10 years, or if you receive a fourth conviction at any time. You will also face a felony conviction if you cause serious bodily injury to someone else. At the Morris Law Firm, we have the experience and resources to deal with felony DUI charges.
Third DUI within 10 years = third-degree felony
Fourth DUI (regardless of timing) = third-degree felony
DUI causing serious bodily injury = third-degree felony
DUI manslaughter = second-degree felony
How Soon Will My Driver’s License Be Suspended After a DUI Arrest in Florida?
Following your DUI arrest, you typically have only 10 days to request a formal review hearing with the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles (DHSMV) to challenge your license suspension. Hiring an attorney quickly may help protect your driving privileges. Assert your legal rights—contact Dana Morris Law Firm 24/7 at (850) 257-5680. We will walk you through the steps to request the formal review hearing to challenge the automatic suspension of your driver’s license.
What DUI Tests Do Police Use in Florida DUI Arrests?
Law enforcement officers have several different options when it comes to testing drivers for alcohol consumption. The most common is the breathalyzer test along with roadside sobriety tests, such as walking in a straight line and following a pen light. These are known as walk-and-turn, one-leg stand, and horizontal gaze nystagmus tests. We advise clients about their rights in refusing or submitting to DUI testing. Check out our blog post for more information.
What Happens at Your First DUI Court Date in Florida?
Your first court appearance after a DUI arrest is usually called an arraignment. In Bay County and throughout Florida, this is where the judge formally informs you of the charges against you and asks how you wish to plead — guilty, not guilty, or no contest.
The arraignment is not a trial, and no witnesses testify at this stage. Instead, it starts the legal process that can lead to negotiations, motions to challenge the traffic stop or testing procedures, and possibly reduced charges or dismissal depending on the facts of your case. This helps protect your rights while your defense attorney begins reviewing the evidence, including police reports, dashcam or bodycam footage, breath test records, and field sobriety test procedures.
Can a DUI Lawyer Appear in Court for Me in Florida?
Yes. When we defend your DUI case, our DUI defense attorneys will file paperwork to enter a not guilty plea on your behalf. We will also file a waiver of presence which will allow you to avoid appearing in court for this and other court dates.
Having an experienced DUI lawyer in Panama City, knowledgeable in Florida DUI law, involved early can make a significant difference in how your case moves forward, whether you have to travel back to Florida for court appearances, and what options may be available to you.
How Do I Speak With a Panama City DUI Attorney for a Free Consultation?
If you or a loved one has been arrested for DUI on Panama City Beach or the surrounding areas, we encourage you to speak with an experienced Panama City DUI defense attorney for a free consultation. We’re available 24/7, so if you think you need to hire an attorney to help, reach out to us now at (850) 257-5680 or contact us for a free consultation with Dana Morris, a Panama City criminal defense attorney with over 25 years of experience. We will discuss your rights, the possible consequences of a conviction, and your best available legal options going forward.
We also have a Spanish translator available for those seeking a Spanish-speaking criminal defense attorney (abogado de defensa criminal / abogado criminalista) on your defense team.
We also have a Spanish translator available for those seeking a Spanish-speaking criminal defense attorney (abogado de defensa criminal / abogado criminalista) on your defense team.
