Jacksonville DUI Lawyer

Driving while under the influence (DUI) is a very serious offense in Jacksonville, Florida. A first offense DUI conviction can result in a jail sentence of as much as six months, and a fine of up to $1000 dollars. Additionally, the defendant can expect to pay court costs, probation and substance abuse counseling.

Because of the gravity of a DUI charge in Jacksonville, FL, it is advisable to employ the counsel of a knowledgeable DUI attorney who will represent your interests, and challenge any evidence against you with the experience of years of dedicated service as a public defender and legal advocate.

Darryl R. Smith has been passionate about criminal law from his earliest days as an assistant public defender with the 9th Judicial Circuit, and he is eager to bring that expertise to bear for you as your Jacksonville criminal defense attorney.

DUI Offenses in Jacksonville, Florida

Being convicted of operating a motor vehicle while under the influence of an intoxicating substance is an offense that carries potential jail time and stiff penalties at the misdemeanor level and vastly harsher penalties once escalated to felony level offenses. If this happens, you will also need a Jacksonville federal crime lawyer to help you navigate this legal process.

Penalties for DUI Convictions in Jacksonville

Even a first time DUI offense can carry severe consequences. If the first DUI offense did not result in severe injuries and absent of prior DUI convictions, this is considered a misdemeanor offense, and can still result in incarceration, fines, a permanent criminal record and probation of as long as a year. A second DUI charge within five years of a first offense include but are not limited to:

No less than 10 days in county jail
A formal DUI conviction
A five-year suspension of unlimited driving privileges subject to the court’s discretion
An ignition interlock device installed at the expense of the convicted offender
A fine of up to $1000

Have You Been Charged with A DUI offense?

If you have, you need to contact an expert level legal defense professional like Darryl Smith immediately. He has the years of proficiency navigating the constantly shifting waters of Florida DUI law and the real time courtroom experience necessary to examine extenuating circumstances, and call into question any mitigating factors that may be involved.

Time is of the essence, since maintaining the integrity of evidence, and establishing a speedy court date will be critical to restoring lifeline driving privileges as quickly as possible. Darryl Smith has the expertise needed to analyze the evidence against the defendant, from initial stop through any and all breathalyzer tests and challenge the verity of the results in the defense of his client.

What to Do If You Have Been Stopped on DUI Suspicion

In no way do we endorse ever driving while intoxicated, and repudiate in the strongest possible terms the act of getting behind the wheel while compromised. At the same time, we understand that people make mistakes and sometimes exercise poor judgment, and may sometimes get caught up in a situation having actually done nothing wrong. There are steps that a motorist can take to minimize the possibility of a police officer deciding there is probable cause for a DUI stop.

These are the things that can help lead to a favorable outcome during a DUI traffic stop:

Remain calm. Police officers will take any sign of nervousness as an indication of evasiveness or intoxication. Remain composed, answer any and all questions succinctly and directly, and always be courteous and polite.
Keep your documents at arm’s reach. Fumbling around in the glove compartment while under the pressure of a DUI traffic stop will be considered an indication of intoxication. Have license, registration and proof of insurance on hand for access at a moment’s notice.
Never agree to a car search.
Take the sobriety test. Adequate performance of these motor skill heavy tests will call into question any unfavorable breathalyzer test.
Request a blood alcohol concentration test. Handheld, remote breath analyzing machines are notoriously unreliable. At trial, Darryl Smith can use any favorable BAC tests as part of his defense strategy.

Contact Darryl R. Smith, Esq Today

If you have been placed under arrest on a charge of DUI, you need the help of a qualified, experienced legal advocate. Darryl R. Smith is an experienced Jacksonville legal expert who has put in the work to be the experienced legal expert you need when you have been charged with driving under the influence. Contact Darryl R. Smith, Esq today.