For a person to be found guilty of driving under the influence (DUI) in Florida, the prosecution must prove the person’s “normal faculties” were impaired while they were driving. Typically this is done by demonstrating the individual had a blood alcohol or breath alcohol level of at least .08.
Drunk drivers are much more likely to cause accidents and traffic injuries. A DUI conviction can be used as evidence in a personal injury lawsuit to demonstrate the negligence on the part of the offender.
In criminal court, a DUI offender can expect the following penalties:
- Fines: First-time offenders can expect a fine of $500 to $2,000, with the fines increasing to $2,000 to $4,000 for anyone who registers a .15 or higher or has a minor in the vehicle.
- Community service: First-time offenders will be required to perform at least 50 hours of community service, or additional fines for each hour of required service.
- Probation: First-time offenders face probation of up to a year.
- Imprisonment: First-time offenders face imprisonment of up to six months, or sentencing terms in residential alcoholism or drug abuse programs credited toward imprisonment. The maximum term is nine months for a first-time offender with a .15 or higher.
All of the aforementioned penalties increase when it is a multiple conviction, and when there are other aggravating factors (such as serious injuries or fatalities) those can also have an effect on the degree of punishment the offender can expect.
To learn more about how to use a DUI conviction in your personal injury claim as evidence, contact an experienced Sarasota, FL personal injury lawyer at Goldman, Babboni, Fernandez & Walsh.