Orlando DUI Defense Attorney

Hire the best Orlando DUI Defense Attorney that you possibly can.

That’s the best advice anyone can give you.  It may make the difference between walking away from your arrest with zero criminal history – or having a criminal conviction on your record for the rest of your life.

DUIs in Florida are very serious.  If you are convicted of a DUI, that means you can never have that charge sealed or expunged off your record – ever!  Not only will your driving privileges be lost, but you will have to do probation, community service and a bunch of other stuff that you really want to try to avoid.

If you refused to blow or you blew really high, there are still plenty of defenses out there.  Don’t think that it is pointless to hire a lawyer.  Body camera videos are the not the end all be all.  Many times, they actually help the defense because there is something on them that the officer did wrong!

The field sobriety exercises are mishandled all the time.  Case law changes on DUIs each week.  You will want your attorney to be aware of what to look out for when researching your case.  We pride ourselves on knowing what to look for and finding weaknesses in the State’s case against you.  We also have a reputation of going to trial and winning.  We fight for every case we have – and we fight hard.

A big part of what we do here is help our clients to prepare a character portrait.  This is a packet of information that we use to present to the prosecutor.  Sometimes, the evidence against our client is significant.  When that happens, we prepare for damage control.  What that means is we prepare a packet of information on our client that portrays them in a positive light, and demonstrating how this one incident was aberrant (or unusual/atypical) behavior.  There are many ways to go about this.  First, a picture is worth a thousand words.  Pictures of you (the accused) working in the community, doing military service, church work, or even a picture of you with your family can make all the difference in the world to a prosecutor.  After all, we want them to see you as a person – a good, all-American, society contributing, family person – instead of just another number or file.  Second, character reference letters from reliable, reputable sources who know you well.  Pastors from church, retired military members, retired judges or lawyers in the community, really anyone.  Third, show initiative and acceptance of responsibility.  This can be done by voluntarily enrolling in the DUI Counterattack School with the Florida Safety Council.  Maybe even starting on some community service.  All this may very well help convince the prosecutor to reduce the DUI to a reckless driving charge or even drop the charges altogether.  It happens all the time.  But prosecutors need to see that your attorney is organized, prepared, and knows their client.

We have defended many people arrested for DUI here in Central Florida and we want to be your Orlando DUI Defense Attorney.  We know how to properly conduct formal review hearings and trials for DUIs.  Don’t go it alone or with a lawyer who does not have the proper experience.  Attorney Thomas Feiter was a DUI Specialist when he was prosecutor for the State of Florida and he brings that knowledge to your side.  Call today for a free consultation at 407-344-4837.

Florida DUI Updates in 2024

Florida has implemented several updates to its DUI laws since 2020, aiming to enhance road safety and impose stricter penalties on impaired drivers. Notable changes include:

1. House Bill 0039 (Effective 2024):
– Refusal to Submit to Testing: This bill mandates the installation of an ignition interlock device (IID) on all vehicles owned, leased, or routinely operated by individuals who refuse a lawful breath, urine, or blood test after a DUI arrest. The costs and responsibilities for installing and maintaining the IID fall on the individual.

2. House Bill 0871 (Effective 2024):
– Plea Restrictions: Prohibits trial court judges from accepting certain pleas when an individual is charged with a DUI, potentially leading to more severe consequences upon conviction.
– Refusal Penalties: Classifies the refusal to submit to a breath, urine, or blood test as a first-degree or second-degree misdemeanor, depending on the circumstances.
– DUI Diversion Programs: Authorizes judicial circuits to establish DUI diversion programs, offering eligible first-time offenders an opportunity for rehabilitation and potentially reduced penalties.

3. House Bill 0447 (Effective July 1, 2024):
– Intoxication Defense in Civil Actions: Eliminates the use of intoxication as a defense in civil actions arising from DUI-related incidents. This means individuals cannot claim they were too impaired to be held liable for damages resulting from their actions while under the influence.

These legislative updates reflect Florida’s commitment to deterring impaired driving and enhancing public safety through stricter enforcement and penalties. All the more reason to get the best DUI defense attorney in your corner.