Getting a DUI in Tampa is never a fun thing to deal with. Getting multiple DUI’s in Tampa is even less fun. Because the thing about Tampa DUI’s is that they continue to haunt you for the rest of your life. In addition to serious punishments attached to the actual DUI, prospective employers and landlords are within their legal rights to inquire about DUI’s way down the road. That means, even if you got a Tampa DUI when you were 22 and you are now 45 applying for a job, you will still have to answer in the affirmative if asked about it. Working with a Tampa DUI attorney can help lessen the punishments against you (or even get you off completely) but the entire process can be extremely taxing.
Here’s a quick look at potential punishments attached to your first Tampa DUI conviction: jail time, probation, community service, attending a victim impact panel, installation of an ignition interlock device and fines. There is a fair amount of leeway in the attachment of some of these punishments and a lot of that has to do with the nature of your case and your criminal past. Some of these punishments are designed to deter future bad behavior and rehabilitate you. When you receive a second Tampa DUI, the court sees this as an indication of your failure to take the first round of punishments seriously and the length and severity of second time DUI punishments will certainly reflect this disappointment in your behavior.
In Tampa, there are two mandatory punishments the courts will attach to a second DUI conviction: jail time and license suspension. Here’s a look at the specifics of each of these punishments:
- Jail Time: A second Tampa DUI within a five year period comes with a minimum of ten days in county jail. In some instances, we have been able to get clients time in a county alcohol treatment program in lieu of jail time.
- License Suspension: A second DUI conviction in the last five years will also result in a mandatory license suspension of five years. The first year of this suspension is especially difficult as the individual will not be able to drive for any reason.
Getting a second DUI in Tampa is serious business. And the Tampa police are always on the lookout for DUI’s. But just because you are charged with driving under the influence does not mean that you are going to be convicted of it. At Finebloom & Haenel knows how difficult the time following a second Tampa DUI arrest can be.
Give us a call today for an obligation-free consultation on your case. Even if we were not your attorneys the first time around, we can help get you the best results possible this time. We will go over the difference between the first DUI and second and also outline your legal option. Give us a call today for a free consultation. We look forward to hearing from you soon.
Published with help from my friend David Benowitz
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