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DUI

Fort Myers DUI Lawyer

Defending Clients Charged With Driving Under the Influence in Lee County, Florida

When facing a DUI charge in Florida, you need the support and expertise of a skilled legal team to protect your rights and provide a strong defense. 

At Calvo & Calvo, Attorneys at Law, our criminal defense lawyers understand DUI cases' challenges and potential consequences. 

Our dedicated Fort Myers DUI attorney is here to guide you through the legal process, offering reliable counsel and strategic representation. With a focus on personalized attention and a commitment to achieving the best possible outcomes, we strive to safeguard your rights and help you navigate the complexities of your DUI case. 

Trust in our defense experience and dedication to advocate for your best interests.


Are you facing a DUI charge in Florida? Call Calvo & Calvo, Attorneys at Law today at (800) 614-5138 or contact us online to schedule a meeting with our criminal defense attorney in Fort Myers!


What are the DUI Laws in Florida? 

The DUI laws in Florida encompass various regulations and requirements aimed at preventing and addressing impaired driving. Key aspects of the DUI laws in Florida include:

  • Legal Blood Alcohol Concentration (BAC) Limits: In Florida, it is illegal to operate a motor vehicle with a blood alcohol concentration (BAC) of 0.08% or higher.
  • Zero Tolerance for Underage Drivers: Florida has a zero-tolerance policy for individuals under the age of 21, making it illegal to drive with any measurable amount of alcohol in their system (BAC above 0.00%).
  • Implied Consent: Florida operates under an implied consent law, which means that drivers implicitly agree to submit to chemical tests (breath, blood, or urine) to determine their BAC if lawfully arrested for suspected DUI. Refusing to take these tests can result in administrative penalties, such as driver's license suspension.
  • Open Container Laws: It is illegal to possess an open container of alcohol in the passenger area of a vehicle while it is being operated.
  • DUI Testing Procedures: Florida has specific procedures and protocols for DUI testing, including administering field sobriety tests and chemical tests.

These laws are subject to change, and it is crucial to consult a qualified Fort Myers DUI defense attorney for the most up-to-date and accurate information regarding DUI laws in Florida! 

What is the 10-Day Rule for DUI in Florida?

Florida grants you ten days from your DUI arrest to contest the resulting license suspension. During this window, your arrest citation is a temporary driving permit for essential purposes like work or school. 

After ten days, your license faces suspension, partial suspension, or reinstatement, depending on your actions. Consult a Florida attorney for legal guidance on fighting a DUI suspension.

DUI Penalties in Florida

DUI penalties in Florida can have significant consequences, including:

  • Fines: Convictions for DUI offenses can result in substantial monetary fines.
  • License Suspension: A DUI conviction can lead to suspending your driver's license, restricting your ability to operate a motor vehicle legally.
  • Ignition Interlock Device: In some cases, individuals convicted of DUI may be required to install an ignition interlock device in their vehicles, which requires a breath test before starting the car.
  • DUI Education Programs: Completing mandatory DUI education programs may be required as part of the penalty to educate individuals about the risks and consequences of impaired driving.
  • Probation: Probation may require individuals to comply with certain conditions, such as regular check-ins with a probation officer.
  • Vehicle Impoundment: Depending on the circumstances, the court may order the impoundment or immobilization of your vehicle.
  • Potential Incarceration: DUI convictions can result in imprisonment in more severe cases or for repeat offenders.

It's essential to remember that DUI penalties can vary based on individual circumstances and the case's specific details. 

Know Your Rights if Arrested for DUI

We've all heard the common phrase before: "you have the right to remain silent," along with the rest of your rights. However, if you've been arrested for DUI, your rights extend even further. Being aware of what you're really entitled to can make a significant difference in your DUI case in Fort Myers, FL.

Your Miranda rights, including the freedom to stay silent during questioning, are actually quite important to your case. Statements, which you might assume are entirely innocent and far from incriminating, can be taken the opposite way by law enforcement. 

Exercising your right to remain silent could be the difference between walking away innocent or spending a year in jail.

To preserve your rights and protect your best interests, our defense lawyers strongly recommend waiting until you have an attorney present to make any kind of statement. If an officer is questioning you, politely decline to answer. When your future hangs in the balance, it's worth it to be safe rather than sorry.

Should I Refuse to Take an Officer's Sobriety Tests?

This depends on the type of test you're asked to take and the circumstances surrounding your arrest. If requested to perform a field sobriety test, always decline. These tests are easy to fail even when sober, and the “results” can be easily influenced by factors other than a person’s intoxication level. 

To void having faulty results used as implicating evidence against you, it may be wise to refuse submitting to the test altogether.

The chemical tests, however, are a different story. Florida has an implied consent law, meaning anytime you get behind the wheel, you've already agreed to submit to a blood, breath, or urine test if pulled over. Refusing to do so can result in revoked driving privileges and other consequences.

That said, there may be times when it is in your best interest to refuse. If you know you are well over the legal limit and a chemical test will seal your fate, it may be wiser to refuse and accept the consequences. It is harder to disprove physical evidence from a test in court than it is to disprove a police officer's testimony. 

Protecting Your Rights in Fort Myers: How our DUI Lawyer Can Help

Knowing your rights and being prepared in advance for a DUI stop is well worth it. The last thing you want to do is incriminate yourself and wind up sacrificing the next 5 to 10 years of your life.

Defenses to DUI Charges 

When facing DUI charges in Florida, several potential defenses can be explored with the help of a skilled DUI lawyer in Fort Myers. Some common defenses to DUI charges may include:

  • Challenging the Traffic Stop: If the initial traffic stop was not conducted lawfully or lacked probable cause, it may be possible to challenge the validity of the stop, which could lead to the suppression of evidence obtained thereafter.
  • Questioning Field Sobriety Tests: Field sobriety tests are subjective and can be affected by various factors. Challenging the accuracy and reliability of these tests can cast doubt on the prosecution's case.
  • Challenging Breathalyzer Results: Breathalyzer devices used to measure BAC levels can be prone to inaccuracies if not calibrated or administered correctly. Questioning the reliability of the breathalyzer results may help in mounting a defense.
  • Medical Conditions or Medications: Certain medical conditions or medications can mimic the symptoms of impairment, leading to false DUI charges. Providing evidence of such conditions or medications can be used as a defense.
  • Rising Blood Alcohol Defense: The "rising blood alcohol" defense argues that at the time of driving, the defendant's BAC was below the legal limit, but it increased to an illegal level by the time the chemical test was conducted.
  • Lack of Probable Cause for Arrest: If there was no probable cause for the arrest, it may be possible to challenge the legality of the arrest and subsequent evidence obtained.
  • Violation of Miranda Rights: If law enforcement fails to properly inform individuals of their Miranda rights during the arrest and questioning process, any statements made may be inadmissible in court.

Every DUI case is unique, and the defenses available will depend on the specific circumstances.

Contact Our Fort Myers DUI Attorney Today 

At Calvo & Calvo, Attorneys at Law in Fort Myers, Florida, our DUI lawyer is here to assist you throughout the legal process. With a deep understanding of DUI cases' complexities and potential consequences, we are committed to safeguarding your legal rights. 

Our personalized approach and unwavering dedication to achieving the best possible outcomes set us apart. Trust in our defense experience and relentless advocacy to navigate the challenges of your DUI case. 


Contact Calvo & Calvo, Attorneys At Law, today to schedule a consultation with our DUI lawyer in Fort Myers!


 

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