Miami DUI Attorney

Valiente Law defends people arrested for DUI in Miami and throughout Miami-Dade County. We review the traffic stop, the evidence and the circumstances of the arrest, and help you understand both the criminal case and the issues affecting your driver’s license. Our team can discuss your situation in English or Spanish.

At Valiente Law, we have successfully defended hundreds of DUIs including dozens of DUI trial victories. We have extensive experience defending clients against DUI charges in Miami, Fort Lauderdale, West Palm Beach and throughout the state of Florida. While being pulled over and arrested is an unsettling experience, an arrest does not determine the outcome. Our legal team will work diligently to assert any viable defenses in order to preserve your driving privileges and your reputation.

Penalties for DUIs in Florida are very severe even for a first-time offense and they enhance based on whether or not there was a crash involving property damage, bodily injury or even death of another person involved in the accident. For these types of cases, you can’t just call an attorney out of the phone book. What you need is someone who is highly technical, competent, and aggressive and able to handle DUIs the way that they should be handled. And that’s us. That’s Valiente Law. At Valiente Law, we have the experience, the knowledge and the capability to aggressively handle DUIs from pre-file to trial.

Call Us At 305.764.5460 For A FREE Consultation! 

Florida DUI Laws

Under Florida Statutes section 316.193, DUI involves driving or being in actual physical control of a vehicle while normal faculties are impaired by alcohol or specified substances, or with a blood- or breath-alcohol level of 0.08 or higher. A DUI allegation can require a defense even without a test result above that level.

The criminal case and your license

An administrative license suspension follows a process separate from the criminal charge. Section 322.2615 provides a 10-day period from issuance of the suspension notice to request review. Have your notice and arrest paperwork reviewed promptly to identify the options, deadlines and eligibility rules that apply to you. Commercial drivers and drivers under 21 may face additional licensing rules.

Florida DUI Penalties

DUI penalties in Florida are determined by factors such as your blood alcohol level, whether you have prior DUI convictions, and the age of any passengers in the car with you. For a standard first DUI conviction without enhanced penalties, the statutory fine is $500 to $1,000 and incarceration may be up to six months. Probation, DUI education, community service, vehicle impoundment and license consequences also require consideration. The exact requirements depend on the applicable law and facts.

The penalties are enhanced, however, for having a BAC of .15 or higher or for driving under the influence with a minor passenger in the vehicle. Finally, the punishments for second or multiple offenses become increasingly severe, including mandatory jail sentences, significant fines, license suspension, probation, enhanced DUI school, vehicle impoundment and mandatory use of an Interlock Ignition Device; penalty enhancements may also apply.

Other DUI offenses in Florida include:

• DUI Causing Serious Bodily Injury — Occurs when a person driving under the influence causes or contributes to the serious personal injury of another. This offense is classified as a third-degree felony and carries penalties of up to 5 years in prison, or 5 years probation, and a $5,000 fine. There is also the potential of minimum mandatory sentencing under the Florida Criminal Punishment Code, and the court may award restitution to compensate the victim for his or her losses.
• DUI Manslaughter — Occurs when a person driving under the influence causes or contributes to the death of another, including an unborn child. DUI Manslaughter is charged as either a first- or second-degree felony. A conviction could result in a minimum mandatory four-year prison sentence, maximum sentencing recommendations, and a $10,000 fine; vehicular homicide charges may also apply.

Defenses Against DUI Charges in Florida

If you have been charged with DUI, we will conduct a thorough investigation to determine the relevant facts of your arrest and work to challenge any sobriety exercises that have been administered:

• Field Sobriety Exercises — The one-leg stand, walk-and-turn, and horizontal gaze nystagmus or HGN (following a stimulus with your eyes from left to right), are field sobriety exercises typically used to measure motor skills and coordination. Such exercises are inherently flawed, because results vary from person to person and are often based on the subjective determinations of the arresting officer.
• Breath Tests — The machine that police use for breath alcohol tests in Florida must be properly and regularly maintained by a properly certified technician or Breath Test Operator (BTO). Inaccurate results can occur if the machine is not properly calibrated, or when other factors, such as mouthwash or dental procedures, trigger a false positive result.
• Blood Tests — Tests administered to measure your blood alcohol level can be challenged if the blood sample was compromised by human error during collection, handling, testing or analysis. Police can only force you to give a blood sample for testing in limited situations. As such, blood test results are often successfully suppressed when police do not follow established law on obtaining the blood sample.

Need A DUI Lawyer in Miami? Call Now

At Valiente Law, we understand that driving is essential to your livelihood and your way of life. We also know that being convicted for a first offense DUI can have serious consequences, while a conviction for multiple offenses, or causing serious bodily injury or death, may result in a lengthy prison sentence and significant fines. With so much at stake, it is crucial to have a dedicated advocate in your corner and one who knows how to defend a DUI in Florida.

Whether your BAC was found to be over the legal limit, you failed a field sobriety exercise, or the police arrested you without probable cause, we will explore all of your options, and pursue the best line of defense. Above all, we will work tirelessly to preserve your driving privileges, your freedom, and your peace of mind.

Call our office today at 305.764.5460 or complete the online contact form to set up a No Cost Consultation.  

Featured Testimonial

Miami DUI Defense Review

Mr. Valiente from the first phone call, has provided excellent service and knowledgeable service to reduce my charges from a DUI conviction to a Reckless driving. He maintained a positive attitude which calmed my nerves through this process. Mr. Valiente’s experience came into play especially when the State was not ready for my case, he provided them with the information they should have had which led them to agree to the terms without requiring another court date to be set. I have already referred Mr. Valiente to a fellow colleague.

Jason

Miami DUI Attorney

5/5