Fight DUI and Traffic Charges Effectively

DUI and traffic defense representation in Pinellas Park to protect your license and minimize penalties.

A DUI charge in Pinellas Park affects your driving privileges, your insurance rates, and your criminal record. Florida law imposes strict penalties for DUI convictions, including fines, license suspension, mandatory alcohol classes, and possible jail time, even for first-time offenders. SPB Law PA represents clients charged with DUI, DWI, and traffic violations, challenging the evidence and procedural errors that can lead to reduced charges or dismissal. The goal is to protect your ability to drive and avoid a conviction that follows you for years.

DUI defense involves reviewing the arrest report, examining the legality of the traffic stop, and challenging the accuracy of breathalyzer or field sobriety tests. Traffic defense addresses citations such as reckless driving, driving with a suspended license, and speeding violations that carry points or license suspension. Your attorney will represent you at administrative license hearings and in criminal court to defend both your driving privileges and your record.

If you have been charged with DUI or a traffic violation in Pinellas Park, contact SPB Law PA to discuss your defense.

How DUI arrests are challenged in court

Your attorney will start by reviewing the circumstances of the traffic stop, as police must have reasonable suspicion to pull you over. In Pinellas Park, DUI arrests often rely on field sobriety tests and breathalyzer results, both of which can be challenged. Field sobriety tests are subjective and can be affected by medical conditions, footwear, or uneven road surfaces, while breathalyzer machines require regular calibration and maintenance to produce accurate results.

Once your attorney identifies weaknesses in the prosecution's case, you will notice that the state must prove every element of the charge beyond a reasonable doubt. If the traffic stop was unlawful or the testing procedures were flawed, evidence may be suppressed, which can lead to dismissal of the charges.

Your attorney will also represent you at the Department of Motor Vehicles administrative hearing, which determines whether your license will be suspended. This hearing is separate from the criminal case and has a shorter deadline, so acting quickly is necessary. Traffic violations are handled similarly, with your attorney negotiating for reduced penalties or contesting the citation in court.

These cases raise a lot of immediate concerns

When you are charged with DUI or a serious traffic violation, you need to know what happens to your license, what penalties you face, and what options you have for defending yourself.

What happens to my license after a DUI arrest in Pinellas Park?
Your license is automatically suspended ten days after your arrest unless you request an administrative hearing within that time. Your attorney can request the hearing and challenge the suspension based on the legality of the stop and the accuracy of the test results.
How can a breathalyzer test be challenged?
Breathalyzer results can be challenged if the machine was not properly calibrated, the officer did not follow testing protocols, or you have a medical condition that affects the reading. Your attorney will review maintenance records and certification documents to identify errors.
What are the penalties for a first DUI conviction in Florida?
A first DUI conviction can result in fines up to one thousand dollars, up to six months in jail, a license suspension of up to one year, mandatory DUI school, and possible installation of an ignition interlock device. Penalties increase if your blood alcohol level was high or if a minor was in the vehicle.
What happens if I refused the breathalyzer test?
Refusing a breathalyzer test results in an automatic license suspension of one year for a first refusal and eighteen months for subsequent refusals. The refusal can also be used as evidence against you in court, though it does not guarantee a conviction.
Can a traffic citation affect my license?
Certain traffic violations, such as reckless driving or driving with a suspended license, carry points that can lead to license suspension if you accumulate too many within a certain period. Your attorney can negotiate for reduced charges or attend traffic school to avoid points.

DUI and traffic cases in Pinellas Park involve strict deadlines for administrative hearings and court appearances, and missing a deadline can result in automatic penalties. If you are facing a DUI or traffic charge, learn more about your defense options by contacting SPB Law PA.