Melbourne DUI Lawyers

Protect Your Freedom & Driving Privileges

A DUI conviction will have serious and lasting consequences on your life. If this is not your first offense or there is any property damage or injuries involved, the circumstances can be even more severe. At Funk, Szachacz & Diamond, our DUI attorneys in Melbourne represent clients facing charges for DUI.

DUI Charges in Florida

A person may be charged with DUI in a few different situations. One is being in physical control of a vehicle when the person’s normal faculties are impaired by alcohol or drugs. Another is not having impaired faculties, but having a blood alcohol level of 0.08 or higher, while in physical control of a vehicle. In fact, you don’t actually have to be driving to be charged with DUI. People have been charged with DUI for sitting in the driver’s seat with the keys nearby, even if he or she is not actually driving the car.

Consequences of a DUI Conviction

A DUI can have a severe impact on your life, even if you are not convicted. In Florida, anyone stopped by law enforcement and having a blood-alcohol level of more than 0.08 or refusing to take the testing will have an immediate administrative driver’s license suspension of between six and eighteen months. Our DUI lawyers in Melbourne can advise you of options that may be possible in your situation, such as business purpose licenses, challenging the suspension, or completing an educational program to regain your license.

The other possible penalties for a DUI conviction include:

• Fines
• Driver’s license suspension
• Vehicle impoundment
• Community service
• Imprisonment

In addition to the penalties imposed by the court, you will have a permanent conviction on your record. You will have to contend with the social consequences of a DUI conviction and your record may limit employment opportunities in fields that require applicants to have a clean driving record. You will pay significantly higher rates for car insurance, even after your driver’s license is reinstated.