Golden Gate, FL DUI Law Firms & Lawyers

As long as the passenger is of legal drinking age, the driver should be fine. It may cause an officer to suspect a driver is impaired if they can tell the passenger has had too much to drink, but the driver is otherwise not at risk of arrest. That is the purpose of having a designated driver.

You should have the right to have them tried separately.  Since you did not get a suspended license charge with the DUI I assume that it occurred at a later time or that the state attorney just picked up on the fact you were suspended at the time.  Felony usually means 2 or more prior drivining on suspensions.   Not sure what you mean by what is the case study. 

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.