Being charged with driving under the influence (DUI) in association with an auto accident can bring severe penalties for the accused. The first offense a driver may face is a criminal charge for impaired driving.
This charge can result in criminal penalties even if the level of impairment is below 0.08% because driving under the influence is defined as driving under the influence of alcohol, regardless of one’s blood alcohol content (BAC).
Regardless of BAC, an investigating officer can issue a citation for reckless driving, which could be a serious issue resulting in civil penalties. Any DUI accident case is a complicated legal issue, and a conviction on any charge can ruin one’s life. This is why it is vital to retain an experienced and aggressive Broward criminal defense attorney for all DUI cases.
DUI Penalties
Those found with a BAC of 0.08% or greater will typically face a suspended license and significant fines along with jail time. The court is not obligated to assign the minimum penalty in any case, and it’s highly unlikely they will in an accident case that results in a conviction. Multiple offenders can expect even more severe sentencing with extended license suspension periods and prolonged jail terms.
Accident Penalties
In an accident scenario, even a borderline BAC reading can be problematic when severe injuries are involved. In fact, charges stemming from a DUI accident are typically worse than simple DUI penalties and could result in a felony DUI charge. Additionally, fatal accidents could result in vehicular homicide charges that could forever change the accused’s life.
Why You Need Private Criminal Defense lawyer
All individuals accused of causing DUI accidents are eligible for the assignment of a public defender for their criminal cases, but this rarely bodes well for the accused. The PD’s priorities may be compromised because their caseloads are much higher than private attorney caseloads, but a private attorney can provide aggressive criminal defense that could make all the difference in your case.
Contact a Broward DUI Attorney
Florida DUI accidents are always serious legal matters, but alleged defendants can fight for their rights. Contact our Broward criminal defense firm Hager & Schwartz PA, for experienced representation for your case.
Call (954) 840-8713 now for an immediate consultation!