Second DUI in Pinellas County, FL
After a DUI arrest in Pinellas County, FL, contact a criminal defense attorney at Sammis Law Firm.
If you have a prior DUI arrest, then you will not qualify for a waiver review hearing for the immediate reinstatement of your hardship driving privileges. Instead, hire an attorney to demand a formal review hearing and obtain your 42-day driving permit.
The penalties for a second DUI are harsher than the penalties for a first DUI in Pinellas County, FL. Pursuant to Section 316.193(2), F.S., a second DUI offense is subject to the following penalties:
- up to nine months in jail;
- a fine ranging from $1,000 to $2,000;
- mandatory IID installation in all vehicles leased or owned and routinely operated by the offender for at least one year.
If a person’s second DUI offense occurs within five years of a previous DUI conviction, the penalty is enhanced to include:
- at least ten (10) days in jail, of which at least forty-eight (48) hours must be consecutive;
- vehicle impoundment for thirty (30) days, which may not occur concurrently with any term of imprisonment; and
- driver license suspension for at least five (5) years.
If a second-time offender’s BAC is 0.15 or higher, or a passenger under the age of 18 is present in the vehicle, the penalty is further enhanced to include:
- a fine ranging from $2,000 to $4,000;
- up to twelve (12) months in jail;
- mandatory IID installation in all vehicles leased or owned and routinely operated by the person for at least two continuous years.
Attorney for a Second DUI in Pinellas County, FL
The attorneys at Sammis Law Firm represent clients charged with a first or second DUI in Pinellas County, FL. We can help you understand how to best fight the charges in court and challenge the administrative suspension at the Bureau of Administrative Reviews (BAR) Office in Clearwater, FL.
Many of these cases involve aggravated circumstances if the BAC is over .15, a child passenger is present, or a crash with property damage occurred.
The main office of Sammis Law Firm is located in downtown Tampa, FL. We recently opened an office in Clearwater near the CJC Courthouse. Our office is located at 14010 Roosevelt Blvd Suite 701, Clearwater, FL 33762-3820.
Don’t face the judge alone. Contact our experienced criminal defense lawyers focused on serious traffic crimes. We can help you understand the penalties that might apply to a DUI charge in Pinellas County, FL.
Call 727-210-7004.
Additional Resources
Level 2 DUI Program at Suncoast Safety Council – Learn more about how to register online for the Level 2 DUI Program at Suncoast Safety Council. To register for the Level 2 Pinellas County DUI Program, you must live, work, or attend school in Pinellas County. To register, you must provide proof of identification, a copy of the DUI citation, the results of a breath, blood, urine test, the affidavit for refusing to submit to testing, and the judgment of guilt. The Level II DUI course requires twenty-one hours (21) of instruction to address issues pertaining to convictions for one or more alcohol or drug-related traffic offense and a one-hour face-to-face substance abuse evaluation completed by a certified DUI Evaluator. The cost is $476.50 which includes a $445.00 program fee.
This article was last updated on Thursday, June 16, 2022.
