Eloise, FL DUI Law Firms & Lawyers

You should have a lawyer check to make sure that you have no outstanding warrant that you are unaware of and if that is clean, forget about it unless you hear otherwise. You should have a lawyer check on the warrant instead of trying to do it yourself since you do not want to inadvertently initiate something that wouldn't otherwise happen. Also, you should make sure that the RMV and the Post Office have your correct mailing address. It is our legal obligation to make sure the RMV has current address and you want the post office to be accurate to make sure you don't miss a mailing. If there are no outstanding warrants, then forget and see what, if anything, happens.

Unfortunately, it really depends on what county you are in when you get a DUI.  In some counties they offer pre-trial diversion (“PTI”).  After a successful completion of PTI, the charge is dismissed by the state and you can potentially have your record sealed/expunged. Certain counties do not offer the PTI for first time DUI offense (such 12th judicial circuit in and for Sarasota, Manatee, and DeSoto).  In places like the 12th Circuit, a first time DUI conviction is considered a criminal traffic case and carries a Misdemeanor conviction.  A standard 1st time DUI is a Second Degree Misdemeanor. A DUI with property damage/personal injury is considered an enhanced DUI. They both, however, are considered criminal traffic and just because you have the enhancement it does not mean that one is criminal and one isn't (all things being equal and you not being entitled to PTI).  Additionally, if the damage or the personal injury is severe, the DUI can be filed as a Felony (the level is based on the severity of the injury).  In any event, if you plea No Contest or Guilty to a DUI then you will most likely have a criminal record. 

An experienced lawyer would have to review the criminal complaint filed and the supporting evidence what would be provided by the prosecuting attorney.