| DWI (driving while intoxicated) and DUI (driving under | | | | The second time you are convicted of DWI/DUI, your |
| the influence) are defined as operating a vehicle while | | | | fines will range from $500-$1000. If your BAC is .20 or |
| impaired by alcohol consumption. If your blood alcohol | | | | higher or you have a minor in the vehicle, it will range |
| concentration (BAC) is .08 or higher, or you have a | | | | from $1000 to $2000. Your jail time will increase to nine |
| chemical or controlled substance in your blood, you are | | | | months, twelve if your BAC is .20 or there is a minor in |
| considered legally impaired. DWI and DUI are serious | | | | the vehicle. Your vehicle will be impounded for thirty |
| offenses and come with very harsh penalties in the | | | | days and your driver's license revoked for at least six |
| state of Florida. | | | | months. If it is the second conviction you have |
| Drinking and driving is extremely dangerous and results | | | | received in five years, ten days of mandatory |
| in the death of many innocent people each year. The | | | | incarceration is required. You will also lose your license |
| laws against doing so are becoming increasingly | | | | for five years. You may be able to apply for a |
| tougher. As the offender repeats the crime, the | | | | hardship license after one year. |
| penalties grow worse. A conviction for DWI/DUI will | | | | Your Third Conviction |
| remain on your record for seventy-five years. | | | | If it has been less than ten years since your last |
| Basically, one mistake and it will follow you for the rest | | | | conviction, your fines will be $2000-$5000, jail for thirty |
| of your life. | | | | days, vehicle impounded for ninety days and license |
| Your First Conviction | | | | revoked for at least ten years. Outside the ten year |
| Even your first conviction will cost you dearly. Here are | | | | period your fines will range from $1000 to $2500. Your |
| the penalties for the first DWI/DUI conviction: | | | | jail time will be up to twelve months. Your vehicle will |
| • Fines ranging between $250 and $500. A BAC of | | | | be impounded and your license revoked for at least |
| .20% or higher, or having a minor in the vehicle with | | | | five years. |
| you, raises your fine to $500-$1000. | | | | Any Additional Convictions |
| • Mandatory fifty hours of community service. If | | | | • Fines of at least $1000. For a BAC of .20% or |
| you do not perform your community service, you will | | | | higher, at least $2000. There is no maximum amount |
| receive an additional fine of $10 per required hour of | | | | posed on fines. |
| community service not performed. | | | | • Incarceration for up to five years. |
| • One year of probation. | | | | • Mandatory permanent revocation of your license. |
| • A minimum of eight hours of jail time and as long | | | | There will be no eligibility for hardship reinstatement. |
| as six months in jail. If your BAC is .20% or higher, your | | | | The penalties listed only relate to standard convictions |
| jail sentence could be as much as nine months. | | | | and are the best case scenarios for conviction. There |
| • If someone else is injured or killed as a result of | | | | are other factors involved when determining penalties |
| your DWI/DUI, you can face at least two years in jail. | | | | such as: under age drinking and driving, property |
| • Your vehicle will be impounded for ten days | | | | damage, injury to someone else (felony) or death to |
| following your release from incarceration. | | | | someone else (manslaughter). |
| • Your driver's license will be revoked for a | | | | To learn more about the penalties for DWI/DUI, please |
| minimum of six months. | | | | visit the website of Hardesty, Tyde, Green and |
| Your Second Conviction | | | | Ashton, P.A.. |