| In Florida, DUI or driving under influence of alcohol/drugs | | | | Probation can also be given for DUI under Florida State |
| or other intoxication substances is a serious offense | | | | Law s. 316.193 (5)(6), F.S. For a first conviction, the |
| equivalent to misdemeanor or traffic crime or even | | | | maximum period of probation and incarceration is 1 |
| felony. A person is said to be under the influence of | | | | year. Imprisonment for DUI is mentioned under s. |
| alcohol if he/she has blood or breath alcohol content of | | | | 316.193 (2)(a) 2, 4(b), (6)(j), F.S. For a first conviction, the |
| more than 0.08 (grams of alcohol per 100 milliliters of | | | | maximum jail term is 6 months. It is 9 months in case |
| blood or grams of alcohol per 210 liters of breath). | | | | the BAL (blood alcohol levels) crosses 0.20 or if there |
| Violators of DWI (driving while intoxicated) laws can be | | | | is a minor in the vehicle. For a second conviction, the |
| arrested and penalized under the Driving Under the | | | | maximum term is 9 months. It is 1 year if the BAL |
| Influence of Alcoholic Beverages, Chemical | | | | (blood alcohol levels) crosses 0.20 or if there is a minor |
| Substances or Controlled Substances Law s. 316.193, | | | | in the vehicle. If the second conviction is within 5 years, |
| F.S. | | | | there would be a mandatory imprisonment of a |
| A Florida DUI or DWI conviction would mean a | | | | minimum of 10 days. |
| permanent criminal record, fine, community service, loss | | | | If the third conviction occurs within 10 years, mandatory |
| of license, vehicle immobilization, higher insurance rates | | | | imprisonment is given for a minimum of 30 days. If the |
| and may be even imprisonment. Punishments would | | | | third conviction occurs more than 10 years after the |
| vary depending upon the number of times the person | | | | prior conviction, the maximum imprisonment is for 12 |
| was convicted under DUI. 2nd, 3rd or 4th convictions | | | | months. Fourth or subsequent convictions attract a |
| attract bigger punishments like permanent | | | | maximum imprisonment of 5 years or as provided in |
| disqualification from driving/permanent license | | | | s.775.084, Florida Statutes. |
| revocation, bigger fines and longer jail terms. | | | | |