In Florida, the term BAL (blood alcohol level) is used instead of BAC (blood alcohol content). Certain Florida drunk driving penalties apply when someone is caught driving a vehicle with blood alcohol level of 0.08 or higher; for commercial drivers, the BAL limit is 0.04, and for minors (below 21 years of age), it is 0.02. The implied consent law applies, which means you must give your consent for chemical test if the officer asks you for that. If you refuse, you will face an automatic license suspension for one year for the first time. For subsequent refusals, your license will be suspended for at least eighteen months. It is very important for you keep in mind that depending upon the severity of the offence, such as whether accidents or death or injuries are involved, the arresting officer may also use reasonable force to conduct the chemical test of urine, blood or breathe to find out the blood alcohol level.
First Dui Conviction In Florida
The first dui conviction in this state will result in the following Florida drunk driving penalties.
- Vehicle impound for a period of ten days
- Fifty hours of community service is mandatory. If you do not do so, you will be charged a fine of $10 per hour. It means if you participate in community service for only forty hours, you will have to pay a fine of $100. If you do not participate at all, you will be charged a fine of $500. Please note that this fine will be in addition to the basic monetary fine that you will have to pay for the first dui conviction in Florida.
- License suspension for a minimum period of six months is mandatory; the maximum period is twelve months.
- If the blood alcohol level is 0.15, the court will also order you to complete a DUI school, especially if you want to apply for a restricted license (with ignition interlock device).
- For minors and for those whose blood alcohol level is above 0.15, the monetary fine ranges from $1000 to $2000.
- For those whose blood alcohol level is between 0.08 and 0.15, the monetary fine ranges from $500 to $1000
- You can be sent to jail for a maximum of nine months if the blood alcohol level is above 0.15; there is no minimum mandatory imprisonment period.
- If the BAL is between 0.08 and 0.15, the maximum imprisonment period will be six months.
- The court may offer you an option to avoid imprisonment provided you agree to complete a certain treatment program for specified period of time.
Second Dui Conviction In Florida
The Florida drunk driving penalties for a second time conviction are as follows.
- Vehicle impound for a period of thirty days (if the conviction occurs within five years of the previous conviction)
- Five years of license suspension. You may get the license reinstated after one year provided you complete a DUI school program as ordered by the court. Besides that, you must also get an ignition interlock device installed for at least two years if the BAL is above 0.15 and for at least one year if the BAL is between 0.08 and 0.15.
- If the convict is a minor or someone convicted with a BAL of above 0.15, the monetary fine will range from $2000 to $4000.
- If the BAL is between 0.08 and 0.15, you will have to pay a minimum $1000 as monetary fine; the maximum is $2000.
- 10 days of jail term is mandatory if you get convicted for a second time within the five years of the previous conviction.
- For minors or for those whose Blood alcohol level is above 0.15, the maximum jail term is twelve months
- For those with BAL between 0.08 and 0.15, the maximum imprisonment period is nine months.
Third Dui Conviction In Florida
The following Florida drunk driving penalties apply for a third time conviction in a dui case. The third dui conviction is treated as third degree felony (if convicted within ten years of previous conviction)
- Vehicle impound for a period of ninety days
- If you have been convicted for a third time within ten years of the previous conviction, you will face ten years of license option. You may qualify for a hardship reinstatement of license after two years if you complete a DUI school program as ordered by the court. Besides that, you must also get an ignition interlock device installed in your vehicle in order to obtain a restricted license.
- For minors or for those convicted with blood alcohol level of above 0.15, a minimum $4000 of fine is mandatory; there is no maximum limit.
- For those with a BAL of between 0.08 and 0.15, the monetary fine ranges from $2000 to $5000.
- If the third time conviction occurs within ten years of the previous conviction, you will face a mandatory minimum thirty days of jail imprisonment, which can be extended up to twelve months.
Fourth Dui Conviction In Florida
A 4th dui conviction will result in the following Florida drunk driving penalties.
- Permanent suspension of driving license; there is no way to get the license reinstated. It means after a fourth dui conviction in Florida, you will no longer be legally able to drive a vehicle in this state.
- You may be sent to jail for a maximum period of five years
- The minimum monetary fine that can be charged is $2000; there is no maximum limit.
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