If you have been notified by court summons to appear in a Florida court and answer certain charges, then YES, you should definitely hire a Florida criminal defense attorney. This is because a court summons tells you that you are being sued or facing criminal charges, and asserts the power of the court to hear and determine the case against …
I Have Been Pulled Over For a Florida DUI. Am I Required To Take A Breathalyzer Test?
If you find that you have been pulled over for a Florida DUI, then NO, you are not required by law to take a breathalyzer test. In fact, you can refuse any roadside tests that an officer asks you to perform. But make sure that you do so politely and respectfully, because if you act belligerently, an officer can also …
I’ve Been Stopped For DUI In Florida – What Should I Do Now? (Part A)
If you are stopped under the suspicion of a Florida DUI, you can take steps to protect yourself against serious criminal charges. Here is a list of things to do if you find yourself in this situation. Pull your vehicle over steadily, and in a safe location It is important to remember that once an officer suspects you of a …
I’ve Been Stopped For DUI In Florida – What Should I Do Now? (Part B)
Refuse roadside tests Even if you are suspected of a Florida DUI, you are under no obligation to perform a roadside sobriety test. This can only provide the officer with incriminating evidence against you. Not only can roadside tests be inaccurate, but they leave the determination of sobriety entirely in the hands of the officer. Therefore, refuse to take any …
Florida Millionaire and Polo Club Founder Charged With DUI
In May 2010, John Goodman, the Florida multimillionaire and founder of the International Polo Club in Wellington, was arrested in Palm Beach County and booked under charges of Florida DUI and vehicular homicide. The arrest came 3 months after Mr. Goodman allegedly drove his Bentley through a stop sign, which resulted in a collision with a vehicle driven by Scott …
When is a Florida police officer required to read me my Miranda rights?
A Florida police officer is required to read you your Miranda rights any time they have taken you into custody and are interrogating you. They are not, however, required to read you your Miranda rights in Florida before questioning you outside of an arrest, or after arresting you if they choose not to ask you questions. For example, if a …
What is the difference between an arraignment and a preliminary hearing?
Preliminary hearings and arraignments both occur before your trial, but have different purposes. The preliminary hearing is where the judge decides if there is enough evidence mounted against you for you to stand trial. The arraignment is where you can file your plea of guilty, not guilty, or no contest. It is not necessary for you to have a preliminary …
Federal Sentencing Guidelines
In terms of guidelines for punishment, the federal and state court systems utilize different sources. The federal courts refer to the “Federal Sentencing Guidelines” in order to help them determine penalties. These inform the court’s decision but are not mandatory so you could either a sentence either above or below those guidelines. Read more about the differences between state crimes …
Insurance Costs of a DUI in Florida
A Florida DUI conviction carries a number of costs. Beyond the basic fine that accompanies a Florida DUI, a conviction may also result in jail time, which can cost you in the form of lost work, a suspended license, mandatory community service, and driving school. Beyond all of these costs, however, is an often steep increase in your insurance premiums. …
Attending Traffic School in Florida
If your license is suspended as a result of a Florida DUI conviction, you will need to attend traffic school in order to get a hardship reinstatement. For a first-time DUI conviction in Florida, your license will be suspended for 180 days to 1 year, and you must complete 12 hours of traffic school. If your license is reinstated, you …