Citrus County Criminal Traffic Lawyer

Defending Your DUIs and Suspensions

Drunk driving or driving with a suspended license can be an extremely serious crime. In cases like these, punishments are usually hefty, which is why it is so important to avoid drinking and driving at all costs. However, if you are charged with drunk or suspended driving misdemeanors in Florida, it is essential to find representation that understands all aspects of your charge. At Caughey Law, PLLC our firm aggressively defends individuals charged with DUI or driving on a suspended license in Citrus County. A consultation with our attorney can help you understand what comes next and fully exercise your rights. Do not hesitate to contact us today for a free consultation for more information about how we can help. 

It is important to have representation that understands the investigatory tactics used by law enforcement and how they will be used in a trial. Having handled and litigated DUI and suspended license cases for the past 10 years, Bryan can walk you through your case and how a prosecutor will litigate your facts. We will also be aware of and try to minimize any collateral consequences of these charges, such as DMV Administrative Suspensions. It is important to note that both DUI and driving while license suspended are enhanceable charges, meaning that if convicted a second, third, or more, the State will seek to enhance the severity and penalty of subsequent offenses, eventually leading to minimum mandatory jail time or even felony convictions. 

Call (352) 645-2215 or fill out our form online.

Florida DUI Laws & Penalties

Florida laws define driving under the influence (DUI) as being under the influence “of alcoholic beverages, chemical substances or controlled substances to the extent that your normal faculties are impaired or an unlawful blood alcohol or breath alcohol level of .08 or above.”

Florida statute 316.193 outlines the following penalties for convictions:

How Serious Can Florida Criminal Traffic Violations Become?

Florida Criminal Traffic Statutes are broad and cover a wide variety of conduct, everything from Driving on Suspended Licenses, DUI, and Racing on a Highway to Fleeing to Elude and Felony DUI-Serious Bodily Injury or Death. Most of these charges are ineligible for diversionary programs by statute so it is important to start raising defenses early on in the case. 

Two common felony criminal traffic charges are Felony Driving on Suspended License (DWLS) and Fleeing to Elude. A Driving on Suspended License case is often arrested as a felony offense when the arresting officer sees the reason for the suspension as Habitual Traffic Offender (HTO). While true that most HTO suspensions do meet the statutory requirement for a felony charge, recent changes in the law have made the analysis much more technical and an experienced attorney will thoroughly review a client’s complete driving history to make sure a client’s record supports the Felony charge. This is particularly important if the felony DWLS is a client’s first and only potential felony conviction, or if the client has serious prior criminal history because they may score mandatory prison on Florida’s Scoresheet, even on a suspended license case. 

The next is Felony Fleeing to Elude, which starts off as a third degree felony but if law enforcement or if the prosecutor believes they can prove high speed, or wanton disregard for the safety of persons or property in the course of the event, the charge can be pursued as an enhanced fleeing to elude, a second degree felony, punishable up to 15 years in prison. While you cannot challenge the underlying reason for a traffic stop if it results in a fleeing to elude charge, an experienced attorney will be able to track the alleged conduct to the statute to mount your best defense. One element required under the Statute is that the involved Law Enforcement vehicle must be plainly and conspicuously marked with agency insignia. With the popularity of unmarked and ‘ghost cars’ within various agencies this element may not be met. The involved patrol car must also have lights and sirens activated to qualify. 

Attorney Bryan Caughey can guide you through the steps needed to build a comprehensive case and represent you in court. Whether this means fighting for reduced sentencing or helping you avoid consequences, we are here to assist. Don't let this difficult time be an obstacle in your life longer than necessary — contact Caughey Law, PLLC today for your free consultation.