Nothing can ruin a great vacation in sunny
Florida like getting arrested for a DUI offense. What happens when you
are arrested out of your home state for a DUI and what can you do about
it? Here's how you can do everything you can to make sure what happens
in Florida doesn't come back to haunt you in the future.
The Arrest
A police officer can arrest you regardless of your home state. Often they will give you a breathalyzer test or perform a roadside sobriety test. Your car could be impounded or searched for evidence of open alcoholic containers, which may reveal evidence of other drugs. After the initial arrest you will likely be taken to the police station and need to be bailed out and make your initial plea.
What Happens After You Get Arrested?
You might think that you could just continue with your vacation, pack up and fly back home, but if you live anywhere else in the US, the Interstate Drivers License Compact ensures that your home state will treat your DUI offense as if it happened where you live. This can mean the suspension of your license or even another arrest warrant, if you fail to appear in court.
Depending on how your home state treats DUIs or DWIs, you potentially could be facing the suspension of your license until the outcome of the proceeding in Florida is concluded. Additionally, if you typically do any amount of travel out of the country, a pending criminal proceeding for a DUI could prevent you from leaving the country. If you are from outside of the USA, a conviction for A DUI may even prevent you from returning in the future.
It's important to take steps to handle the case while you are in Florida as time begins ticking as soon you arrested, which can affect your legal rights.
Retain a Qualified Lawyer in Florida
By hiring a qualified lawyer in Florida, you can ensure that someone will be able to negotiate on your behalf with the prosecutor. A local attorney, such as James Davis, may also be able to enter a plea for you, and can request the evidence the state intends to offer to get an idea on how to proceed. With that information in hand, your defense attorney can see how to challenge the allegations.
Just because you were arrested does not mean that the state can prove its case. There may be evidence violations that took place which would prevent them from presenting a vital piece of information, or the police may have used an unreliable method for determining intoxication. Don't give up, talk with attorney James Davis to see what strategies can be employed to best maximize your case.
Of course, the best course of action is to avoid drinking and driving in the first place, but if you've already been arrested for a DUI, get an attorney as soon as possible before you need to head home to protect your rights and limit the damage.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR: James Davis
The Law Office of James Davis represents clients who need services regarding criminal law and many other law services. The Law Office of James Davis is located in Jacksonville, Florida and has been serving the community since 1999.
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