DUI Defense Attorney in West Palm Beach, FL
A DUI arrest can leave you scared and uncertain about what happens next. The flashing lights, the field sobriety tests, and the ride to the station are just the beginning of a process that can affect your license, your job, and your criminal record for years.
Palm Beach County sees many DUI cases prosecuted each year, and after an arrest in West Palm Beach, you have just 10 days to request a hearing to contest the automatic suspension of your driver’s license. This is time that moves fast without an attorney in your corner.
Contact Gonzalez & Associates, PLLC right away so our West Palm Beach DUI defense attorney can start building your criminal defense immediately.
Why Choose Gonzalez & Associates, PLLC?
Attorney Orlando Gonzalez has spent decades defending clients facing criminal charges and has seen firsthand the procedural errors and mistakes that law enforcement officers make during DUI investigations.
His commitment to holding the system accountable means your rights are protected from the moment of the traffic stop through every stage of the formal charges. Potential defenses our firm examines in every DUI case:
- Lack of reasonable suspicion for the initial traffic stop
- Improper administration of field sobriety tests
- Faulty or improperly calibrated breathalyzer equipment
- Failure to follow proper arrest procedures
- Violations of your Miranda rights during questioning
- Inaccurate blood test results due to mishandled samples
Driving Under the Influence (DUI) in Florida
Florida takes DUI offenses seriously, and the consequences begin the moment you are pulled over. Under Florida Statute § 316.193, you may face a DUI conviction for doing the following:
- Operates a vehicle with a blood alcohol concentration of .08 or higher
- Drives or is in actual physical control of a vehicle while impaired by alcohol
- Operates a vehicle while under the influence of a controlled substance
- Drives while impaired by a combination of alcohol and drugs
Florida DUI Penalties
Penalties for a DUI conviction in Florida increase significantly with each subsequent offense, and even a first-time charge carries consequences that go well beyond a simple fine. Here is how the penalties break down depending on the circumstances of your case:
- Fines: A first offense carries fines between $500 and $1,000, while second and third offenses can reach $2,000 to $5,000.
- Jail Time: First-time offenders face up to 6 months in jail, while repeat offenders face mandatory minimum sentences of 10 days to 5 years.
- License Suspension or Revocation: A first DUI results in a suspension of 180 days to one year, and subsequent convictions can lead to revocation for up to five years or permanently.
- Ignition Interlock Device: First-time offenders with a BAC of .15 or higher must install an interlock device for 6 months, while repeat offenders must install one for at least 2 years.
Enhanced Penalties for Property Damage or Bodily Injury
When a DUI results in an accident, the charges and penalties escalate dramatically. Prosecutors in Palm Beach County treat these cases with heightened aggression, and the potential consequences reflect that severity:
- DUI with property damage is charged as a first-degree misdemeanor
- DUI causing serious bodily injury becomes a third-degree felony
- DUI manslaughter is a second-degree felony
- Leaving the scene of a DUI fatality is a first
Don’t Wait to Speak to Our West Palm Beach DUI Defense Lawyer
Has a DUI arrest put your driving privileges, your career, and your freedom at risk? The clock starts running on your license suspension the moment you are arrested, and critical defense windows close quickly.
Contact Gonzalez & Associates, PLLC at 561-500-4529 to schedule a free initial consultation with our West Palm Beach DUI defense lawyer who will review the details of your arrest, identify every weakness in the prosecution’s case, and pursue the strongest defense available to protect your future.
