| In April, a cab driver in Orlando, Florida was | | | | revocation of 6-12 months |
| apprehended following a 100-mph chase on Interstate | | | | - Second offense after 5 years (.08 BAC): License |
| 4 and was later charged with driving under the | | | | revocation of 6-12 months |
| influence (DUI) and weapons related charges. | | | | - Second offense within 5 years (.08 BAC): License |
| The fact that his blood alcohol content (BAC) was | | | | revocation of 5 years |
| 0.177 might explain why he was in a hurry to elude the | | | | - Second offense within 5 years (.15 BAC): License |
| police officer. Even if it was his first DUI offense, the | | | | revocation of 5 years |
| penalties are greater when driver BAC levels are | | | | - Third offense within 10 years (.08+ BAC): License |
| above.15 (While anything over.08 is DUI, higher amounts | | | | revocation of 10 years |
| brings stiffer sentences). | | | | - Third offense after 10 years (.08 BAC): License |
| Even worse, for someone who earns a living as a | | | | revocation of 6-12 months |
| driver, he is quite likely to lose his driving privileges for | | | | - Fourth offense (.08+ BAC): License revocation is |
| six months to one year. That is in addition to jail time | | | | permanent |
| up to nine months, a 12-month probation period and | | | | A qualified and experienced DUI/drunk driving attorney |
| $1,500 in fines. (None of these penalties take into | | | | might be able to get the charges reduced, even in |
| account weapons charges that include firing from a | | | | situations where it is clear the field sobriety test was |
| moving vehicle and using a firearm while under the | | | | performed appropriately and that the equipment was |
| influence of alcohol). | | | | operating accurately. In some situations, the penalties |
| You can lose your driving privileges for life | | | | may be just as harsh, but reduced to a conviction of |
| Anyone apprehended for DUI/drunk driving in Florida is | | | | reckless driving or even less. A DUI conviction follows |
| subject not only to fines and possible jail time, but also | | | | a person for life, affecting such things as insurance, |
| to the loss of driving privileges for months, sometimes | | | | employment, and acceptance in schools and the |
| years and even for life. Here is the mandatory | | | | military. |
| minimum as required by state law: | | | | Of course, it is almost impossible to be a functioning |
| - First offense (.08 BAC): License revocation of 6-12 | | | | member of society when you are unable to drive. |
| months | | | | Effective legal counsel is as much about maintaining |
| - First offense (.15 BAC): License revocation of 6-12 | | | | your ability to work and take care of your |
| months | | | | responsibilities as it is the fines and other penalties |
| - Second offense after 5 years (.08 BAC): License | | | | involved in the DUI conviction. |