Driving under the influence of alcohol and/ or drugs in Orlando is a serious crime. The penalties that convicted offenders face are severe and can have a huge impact on their lives. If found guilty, an offender will likely serve jail time, suffer a license suspension, have to pay a hefty fine, and more.
If you have been arrested for a DUI in Orlando and you have prior DUI convictions, you must act quickly. It is in your best interest to hire an experienced Orlando DUI lawyer to try and get your DUI charge dropped or reduced to reckless driving. The more convictions you receive, the more severe the DUI penalties become.
To organize a free consultation with one of our Orlando DUI lawyers and to begin fighting your charges, call us now at (941)-444-4444.
Is Jail Time Mandatory for a 2nd DUI in Orlando?
Jail time will be mandatory if an offender receives a second conviction within five years of their first DUI conviction. In these cases, offenders will have to serve a mandatory ten days in jail.
The length of jail time that an offender will have to serve following their second conviction will depend on several factors, such as their breath test results. Offenders who were recorded to have a blood alcohol content (BAC) of or above .08 percent can serve up to nine months in jail. However, those recorded to have a BAC of .15 percent or above can serve up to one year in jail.
DUI is a serious offense. If you wish to avoid spending time in jail, you will need to hire reputable Orlando DUI attorneys. The only way to avoid jail is to get your second DUI case reduced or dismissed.
The Consequences of a Second DUI Conviction
If convicted of DUI and it is your second offense in Orlando, you can expect to experience the following penalties:
- Between $1,000 and $2,000 in monetary fines.
- Mandatory ten days in jail.
- A jail sentence of up to five years.
- Up to one year of probation.
- Vehicle impoundment for 30 days.
- A requirement to install an ignition interlock device.
- A driver’s license suspension of up to five years.
- Attendance of a Florida DUI school.
We’re here to serve you. Our phones are open 24 hours a day. Is Jail Time Mandatory for a 3rd DUI in Orlando?
An offender that commits their third DUI conviction within ten years of their last conviction will have to serve a mandatory jail sentence of 30 days. However, if a third DUI has been committed over ten years since a previous conviction, there is generally no mandatory jail time that an offender is expected to serve.
Although not mandatory, people who are convicted of a third DUI conviction can serve up to five years in jail. Felony DUI cases and DUI cases that involve serious bodily injury, manslaughter, and major property damage, will be punished more severely than average DUI cases.
We’re Florida’s top litigation team with over 75 years of combined experience The Consequences of a Third DUI Conviction
If you have suffered your third DUI arrest, you can expect to face the following penalties if convicted:
- Between $2,000 and $5,000 in monetary fines.
- Mandatory 30 days in jail.
- A state prison sentence of up to five years.
- A driver’s license suspension of up to ten years.
- Vehicle impoundment for 90 days.
- Community service.
- Mandatory DUI school attendance.
- Mandatory alcohol treatment programs.
From the initial call to updates on your case status, we are here to get you answers. The Consequences of a Fourth DUI Conviction
A fourth DUI offense is a major deal. Being convicted of DUI four or more times will result in you receiving the most extreme consequences if convicted. You will more than likely suffer the following punishments:
- A monetary fine between $2,000 and $5,000.
- Up to five years of jail time.
- Up to five years of probation.
- Loss of driving privileges for life.
- Vehicle impoundment for 90 days.
- Community service.
- Mandatory DUI school and alcohol treatment program.
DUI Charges in Orlando
All DUI charges in Orlando are punished severely. These chargers, however, are categorized differently depending on the number of previous DUI offenses a person has received. Below we have stated how DUI charges are generally categorized:
- A first DUI conviction is a misdemeanor.
- A second DUI conviction is a misdemeanor.
- A third DUI conviction is a misdemeanor if an offender has not received a previous DUI conviction within the last ten years.
- A third DUI conviction committed within ten years of the last conviction is a felony.
- Fourth and subsequent DUI convictions are felony charges.
These charges, however, are not guaranteed. All DUI cases are different, and the charge awarded to an offender will depend on the circumstances of their case. Those who cause a fatality can expect to receive a second or third-degree felony charge. These DUI charges are serious and will require an experienced criminal defense attorney to fight them.
How to Challenge Multiple DUI Convictions
If you have been arrested for committing a DUI offense and you have previous convictions, you must contact reputable Orlando DUI attorneys. By hiring a reputable member of our law firm, you will give yourself a fighting chance of getting your case dismissed or reduced.
One of our attorneys will be able to examine your DUI case, and all of the evidence held against you. They will do all they can to prove your innocence. If they cannot get your case dropped, they will strive to get your charges reduced to reckless driving charges. This would be very beneficial to you as the penalties attached to reckless driving convictions are far less severe than the penalties attached to DUI. Furthermore, Orlando DUI attorneys can get reckless driving convictions expunged from criminal records.
How an Orlando DUI Attorney Can Help You
An Orlando DUI attorney can help you in a variety of ways, including:
- Offer you honest and unbiased legal advice.
- Investigate your case.
- Examine all relevant evidence.
- Build you a solid defense strategy.
- Guide you through the legal process.
- Help you navigate complex DUI laws.
- Defend your case in a courtroom.
- Be a supportive figure that you can trust and depend on.
Defense Strategies for Driving Under the Influence
It is much more difficult to defend a second or subsequent DUI offense than a first offense. This means that you are far less likely to get a second or subsequent DUI charge dropped. The best outcome generally achieved for people who have experienced multiple DUI arrests is to have their charges reduced to reckless driving.
The criminal offense of reckless driving is outlined under Florida Statute 316.192. Although receiving a conviction is not ideal, the penalties attached to reckless driving are less severe than those attached to DUI. In a meeting with one of our criminal defense attorneys, they will be able to explain defense strategies to you in greater detail. Don’t hesitate to get in contact with us for some legal advice.
Contact an Orlando DUI Attorney at the Law Place Today!
As we have established, driving under the influence is a major criminal offense in Orlando. If you are facing another conviction for DUI, you must contact reputable DUI attorneys. You may have gotten off lightly with your first offense, but it is unlikely that you will suffer the same fate again. The more convictions you receive, the worse the penalties become.
It is in your best interest to seek legal counsel as soon as possible after your arrest. The more time you give your attorney to build your defense case, the greater the chance you have of being successful.
To organize a free consultation with one of our DUI defense attorneys, call us today! Our team is available to take your call 24 hours a day. What are you waiting for? Phone us now at (941)-444-4444.
