The Story of a Typical DWI / DUI Traffic Stop
Imagine a visit to the Tampa Bay area, on a Florida vacation. There is a dui traffic stop or a minor accident and the cop smells alcohol and asks you to step from the car. The cop often innocently asks if the driver needs directions. More questioning will follow as to where you came from and where you were going. A series of “tests” designed to be recorded and to make drivers look at the very least silly usually follows.
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What happens to me after a DUI arrest?
How do I get out of jail after a DUI Arrest?
How do I get my Driver’s License back after a DUI charge?
How do I get a copy of the Police Reports?
What happens to me after a DUI arrest?
Failure of Roadside “Tests”
Upon your imminent “failure” of this field or roadside sobriety tests you are part of a DUI Traffic Stop. The cop who stopped you may call a “DUI specialist” to the scene of the traffic stop. Then an officer will take you and the video to the county jail. Then at the jail, an officer asks you to submit to a breath test.
Loss of Privilege
If you don’t comply with the request, the officer seizes your driver’s license and the law suspends your driver’s license immediately or in as little as 10 days. A national data-sharing system shares this event with all 50 states. Your insurance company, an employer, a potential landlord, a potential employer will now have easy access to this alcohol-related traffic stop.
Recording of “Test”
Some Florida counties also produce a video at the jail at or near the time of the breath test. Hernando County, Florida is one such county. Hillsborough County Florida sometimes records the performance of field sobriety test in a room at the jail. The police will sometimes record the request ( in Florida, an Implied Consent warning ) and refusal to take a breath test on video.
DWI Defense or DUI Defense under the strict Florida law can be quite challenging. Often the police are the main and only witnesses. Licenses authorities, prosecutors, and judges will have access to a video of your driving and your field sobriety tests.
Under Florida public records law, the media can obtain copies of all reports, including this video.
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How do I get out of jail for a DUI Arrest?
If the result is over .08, then the jail is required to hold the driver until a second breath test is less than .08. This is true even though bond has been posted. Upon release from jail, drivers wonder, what happened to my car? Cops usually will rummage through the vehicle seeking cash, contraband (usually drugs or weapons or open containers of alcoholic beverages). A tow truck is generally called to the scene and the vehicle is impounded.
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What happened to my car?
Getting the vehicle back can be quite a challenge. Once you figure out who took your car and where it went, these operators require a photo ID. This is tough since the cops took your license in their efforts to suspend your license.
You must confront the scientific evidence from the breath test and/or the blood tests. Damaging evidence against you may include the breath test, the blood tests, officer’s testimony, and Standard Field Sobriety tests.
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How do I get my Driver’s License back?
Business Purposes License
If you have no prior DUI charges, then you may be eligible for a business purposes only restricted driver’s license. You can waive any challenges to the traffic stop, the alleged refusal to submit to a breath test, or having a breath result of over .08 at the time of the alleged driving. This waiver permit costs around $500. You pay directly Alcohol Traffic Education, the Bureau of Administrative Reviews, and the Division of Drivers Licenses directly. The disadvantage of a business purposes only restricted driver’s license is a permanent entry on your driving record. The entry lists the traffic stop, the refusal, and a breath result over .08.
Hardship License
Another option, usually with the help of a Tampa DUI Lawyer, is to have your attorney request an administrative hearing (with or without witnesses ). You have 10 calendar days from the DUI traffic stop to pay a filing fee and request a hearing. The hearing may be set within 30 days. Your DUI ticket says if you are eligible for a 42-day hardship license. You may challenge the facts and validity of the DUI arrest and the DUI traffic stop under the Florida Law.
Standards For Suspension
The arresting officer sought the suspension of your driver’s license on the date of the DUI stop. The hearing officer uses the standards of the Florida Administrative Code. The hearing officer uses a checklist from that code to validate the suspension of your driver’s license. The checklist covers a few technical requirements surrounding the DUI traffic stop. It also covers the refusal to submit to a DUI breath test. Further, it covers the evidence of a valid DUI breath test over .08 on the Intoxilyzer 8000 breath machine.
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How Do I Get a Copy of My DUI Arrest Police Reports?
A competent DUI Defense Attorney can file proper legal requests meeting all deadlines. These force the state to provide all information they intend to use against the driver. Some Florida DUI Lawyers have knowledge of the highly technical issues covered in this article and can establish your defense against DUI charges. In Florida, DUI is a serious charge. A conviction usually results in a nearly permanent entry on your driving record, even if you do not have a Florida driver’s license. You cannot seal or expunge the record of this conviction to prevent others from uncovering this event in your life. You need a serious defense. A Board Certified Criminal Trial Lawyer in the Tampa Bay Florida area, can be your attorney and defend you against drunk driving charges and other traffic offenses. A DUI / DWI lawyer to defend against this charge is available right now. Please call 813-222-2220.
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