The state treats driving under the influence (DUI) offenses very seriously, and a conviction could cost you your freedom. In addition, a conviction could damage your reputation in the community, strain relationships with peers and family members, and even jeopardize your job. Contacting a dedicated Fort Pierce DUI lawyer from Jonathan Jay Kirschner, Esq., & Associates could help you protect yourself and minimize the harsh consequences of a drunk driving charge. An experienced local criminal defense attorney could assist you in devising an effective defense strategy for any charges brought against you.

Possible Penalties for Driving Under the Influence

DUI convictions carry harsh legal consequences, including fines, jail time, and mandatory treatment programs. A convicted offender may also face steep insurance premium increases due to reckless behavior and risk a lengthy suspension of their driver’s license.

Under state law, an arresting officer can legally seize a driver’s license if the driver’s blood alcohol content exceeds the legal limit of 0.08 percent or if the driver refuses a chemical test. This on-the-spot administrative suspension stays on the driver’s record; however, the driver can protest it within 10 days of a drunk driving arrest.

Due to the short timeframe, it is important to contact an attorney immediately after a DUI arrest and license suspension in Fort Pierce. Our skilled lawyers could demand a formal review hearing that could protect an individual’s driving privileges. While waiting for the hearing, an attorney could also help the individual obtain a 42-day permit, which would allow them to continue driving while they protest the license suspension.

If the hearing succeeds, the state invalidates the suspension. Even if the hearing fails, it allows the person to learn more about the evidence against them.

Possible Defenses in Drunk Driving Cases

Many people assume no legal defense exists if they fail a breathalyzer test. However, a skilled Fort Pierce lawyer from our firm could develop innovative defense strategies to protect people’s rights in all types of drunk driving cases.

Potential Defense Strategies

A knowledgeable lawyer could fight a DUI charge by disputing the validity of the breathalyzer test. Police officers must follow specific regulations and procedures before and during breathalyzer testing. If the arresting officer makes an error, the legal team may seek to suppress the test results. Our attorneys could also challenge the validity and legality of the traffic stop. Furthermore, if the prosecution relies on witness testimony to prove the driver was drunk, an attorney could cross-examine the witness to uncover possible false statements.

Potential Legal Outcomes

Legal teams fight for the best possible outcome given the individual facts of a particular case. A positive outcome could be that:

  • The prosecutor drops the charges before trial
  • The prosecutor reduces the drunk driving charge to a lesser offense, such as reckless driving
  • The jury returns a not-guilty verdict
  • The defendant receives reduced penalties

An attorney could achieve these outcomes by determining the best strategy with which to fight the DUI charges.

Contact an Impaired Driving Attorney From Our Firm in Fort Pierce Today

Fighting drunk driving charges presents significant challenges. However, working with a legal team experienced in a wide range of drunk driving cases could improve your chances of success.

Contact the team at Jonathan Jay Kirschner, Esq., & Associates to speak to a Fort Pierce DUI lawyer and learn if we could help you retain your driving privileges following a drunk driving charge.