Life can sometimes take unexpected turns. What do you do if you have been arrested for DUI? It is likely you have more questions than answers and need some legal help as soon as possible. With the right Fort Walton Beach DUI lawyer on your side, your mistake does not have to ruin your life.
A conviction for DUI can leave you with substantial, long-term consequences. Not only can you lose your driving privileges, but you can incur substantial fines and jail time. Additionally, a drunk driving conviction will lead to higher insurance premiums, community service, and even substance abuse treatment.
You want an experienced DUI lawyer on your side. Someone who knows and understands the law and will aggressively work on your behalf. You have rights and you have options, and you need a DUI lawyer like Jay Patel to open the doors to what those rights and options are.
If you have been arrested for a DUI, you need to retain a DUI attorney right away. They will handle all aspects of your DUI charge; everything from the administrative hearing on a license suspension or revocation to the criminal proceeding itself. All details of the traffic stop to the arrest will be carefully evaluated, to ensure there was probable cause to pull you over and probable cause to do a DUI investigation.
From the initial arrest, your Fort Walton Beach DUI attorney will examine police records, as well as question any witnesses and determine if you were properly advised of your rights before making statements to police. Field sobriety and breath, urine, or blood alcohol tests will be reviewed to verify they were properly administered.
Jay Patel is a Former Prosecutor and a Former Law Enforcement Officer with the Okaloosa County Sheriff’s Office.
Since 2017, Jay Patel Attorney at Law has been fighting for those charged with drinking under the influence in Fort Walton Beach. Whether you made a simple mistake driving home along Hollywood Boulevard NW or were caught driving erratically on Beal Parkway, we believe that these charges should not haunt you for the rest of your life. Our firm can fight for your future.
As a former prosecutor and deputy sheriff, Jay Patel understands the inner workings of DUI cases and the court systems involved. With this knowledge, he can guide you through every aspect of your case and make sure you stand a fighting chance against these charges. To seek the most favorable outcome possible, Mr. Patel can take the following actions:
Under Florida law, anyone can be charged with a DUI when operating a motor vehicle who has a blood alcohol content (BAC) of 0.08% or more. Even if you are not driving the vehicle, you can still be charged with a DUI if you are sitting behind the wheel if your BAC is in excess of the legal limit or the police “believe” you are impaired by alcohol or narcotics. This applies to motorists and boaters too.
Florida has what is known as an implied consent doctrine that requires drivers suspected of driving under the influence to submit to a blood, breath, or urine test to determine if they are intoxicated. The results of these tests are admissible against you if they were administered properly. You can challenge DUI tests, and experienced DUI lawyers know the best way to go about doing it.
It is illegal to drive while impaired by alcohol or narcotics. Every year drunk drivers cause untold accidents and often kill innocent victims.
Penalties for drunk driving can be harsh and include:
Driving or boating under the influence carries severe penalties. Even a first-offense carries the possibility of a license suspension. When you are caught driving drunk, there are a few different defenses that could apply to your case.
First, if law enforcement officers did not abide by the procedural rules when it came to gathering evidence against you, that same evidence derived from the investigation must be suppressed and cannot be used against you. When you are pulled over initially, the police must have a reasonable suspicion that you were driving under the influence or probable cause that you committed a traffic violation before pulling you over. Then, the police must ascertain facts to support a further detention for a DUI investigation. In addition, there are specific rules and procedures that law enforcement must follow when conducting a search of your vehicle during a traffic stop.
Second, an experienced DUI attorney might be able to help you overcome a DUI charge by showing that the prosecution cannot prove both elements of the charge beyond a reasonable doubt. They must be able to show that the defendant was the driver and that the defendant had actual control of the vehicle.
There are other possible defenses based on your circumstances. A good, top-notch DUI attorney will assist you in looking at all aspects of your case and determine which defense to use for your best outcome.
Jay Patel understands the stress you must be feeling right about now. You are very worried about what a DUI conviction could mean to you and your future. You have the right to be worried, but you also want an experienced and battled-hardened DUI defense lawyer in your corner. Not all DUI attorneys have the experience and the expertise when it comes to DUI arrests, but you can count on Jay Patel.
When you are facing serious consequences from your DUI arrest, you want to know there is someone fighting for you and will keep you informed of all proceedings as they come along. Jay Patel will do this for you and more.
Several common DUI charges can arise in Florida. These are pressed when an individual is arrested for driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol. First- and second-time DUIs are usually charged as misdemeanors. However, once you have a third or multiple recurring DUI charges, you will likely face felony charges. Around 30% of DUI cases are for repeat offenders.
In some cases, you may not need to blow a 0.08% on a breathalyzer to be arrested or even convicted of a DUI. The police and prosecution may use evidence of impairment to make their DUI case against you. Evidence of impairment can include:
A DUI charge doesn’t always just invoke legal penalties; it can also cause you to suffer a number of personal consequences as well. You might:
The unemployment rate for individuals with a criminal record is 30%.
Several forms of evidence can be used to fight a DUI charge in Florida. These include:
Jay Patel knows Florida’s DUI laws inside and out. A conviction could mean you are looking at license revocation, probation, fines, or even jail time. This is why he will help you to seek a dismissal or acquittal in some cases, or a lesser charge and a plea deal for other cases.
Mistakes are made all the time when administering sobriety tests, and all circumstances are thoroughly investigated. If there is a discrepancy or an argument to make, he will fight for you.
As a Fort Walton Beach DUI defense lawyer, Jay Patel is dedicated to providing the help you need. If you have been arrested for a DUI, seek legal advice today. You only have 10 days from the date of your arrest to request a hearing with the DMV to challenge the suspension of your driver’s license. Call Jay Patel today to find out your legal options.
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