Why Contacting A Tampa DUI Lawyer Immediately After A Commercial Vehicle DUI Arrest Is So Important

Driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs is a serious crime, which could lead to severe consequences. The Florida legislature has enacted harsh penalties for drivers who are convicted of driving while intoxicated. A driver convicted of a DUI in Florida could face imprisonment, financial penalties, license suspension, and have their vehicle impounded. Furthermore, Florida is one of the few states that enforce a per se DUI law. The per se DUI law lowers the burden of proof the prosecutor must satisfy in order to convict a person accused of drunk driving. Once the prosecutor proves that the driver’s blood alcohol level was above the legal limit the prosecutor is no longer required to also prove the defendant’s driving capability was impaired. A blood alcohol level of .08 or higher will result in a per se Florida DUI. If the driver was operating a commercial vehicle with a blood alcohol level of .04 or higher it will constitute a per se Florida commercial vehicle DUI. However, with the help of a Tampa DUI lawyer a driver may be able to successfully defeat the per se DUI charges. It is imperative that the defendant contact an experienced Tampa DUI attorney immediately after the arrest or else it may be too late to implement a successful legal strategy.

If the driver is arrested for driving a commercial vehicle under the influence of alcohol it could result in devastating consequences. Any violation of Florida’s commercial vehicle per se DUI law may result in a commercial license revocation for a period of one year. For instance, if the driver had a blood alcohol level of at least .04 or refused to submit to a blood alcohol test while operating a commercial vehicle he could have his commercial license suspended for one year. If the commercial vehicle license is suspended the driver will not be permitted to operate any commercial vehicle. If the defendant drives commercial vehicles for a living that means he could be unemployed for at least one full year.

Regardless of the circumstances a defendant should always seek the assistance of a Tampa DUI attorney after any DUI arrest. However, the need for an experienced Tampa DUI lawyer is even more acute if the driver has prior DUI convictions. If the driver has previous commercial vehicle DUI convictions his commercial driver’s license could be suspended permanently. Thus, the defendant will no longer be able to operate commercial vehicles for a living and will need to seek other forms of employment.

Fortunately for drivers accused of a DUI there are many ways to successfully defend against DUI allegations. Florida DUI law allows defendants the opportunity to defeat DUI charges using a variety of different legal strategies. If you have been arrested for a DUI contact Florida Law Group for help right away. Our team of seasoned Tampa DUI lawyers will work closely with you to develop a legal strategy that may mitigate the consequences of your arrest.