DUI LAWYERS

Trevena, Pontrello and Associates

DUI Lawyers in Largo, Florida

Trevena, Pontrello and Associates is a DUI law firm in Largo, Florida that can assist you if you are facing DUI charges. If you have been arrested or charged with a DUI, it is important to understand that there is a difference between a DUI arrest and a DUI charge and a DUI conviction. You are innocent until proven guilty. DUI arrests and charges can be fought in court and in some cases, individuals are able to prove their innocence. Trevena, Pontrello and Associates are DUI lawyer Largo, Florida who may be able to help you fight your DUI charges and arrest.

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What are the Consequences of a DUI in Largo, Florida?

According to the State of Florida, if you are found to be driving with a blood alcohol or breath alcohol level above 0.08, you can face a DUI conviction. The consequences of being charged with a DUI can be serious, but the specific repercussions will depend on whether this is your first-time or subsequent DUI offense. If this is your first-time DUI charge, and you are found guilty, you could face the following consequences:

Fines between $500 and $2000
50 hours of community service
Probation or incarceration up to one year
Up to six months’ jail time or time at a drug or alcohol abuse treatment program
Required DUI school in order to get your driver’s license back
Loss of your driver’s license or driving restrictions with a hardship license

These are the consequences for a DUI that will be imposed by the state. However, there are also collateral consequences to having a criminal record. Your insurance premiums will likely increase once you have a DUI on your record. If you end up with a criminal record because of your DUI, you could face difficulty getting certain jobs, particularly jobs involving driving. You could also face difficulty accessing certain federal or state benefits if you have a DUI on your record.

If you are facing DUI charges, you may want to hire a DUI defense lawyer in Largo, Florida like Trevena, Pontrello and Associates. When it comes to DUI arrest and charges, your license may have been confiscated. If you want to be able to drive again, the State of Florida notes that you only have 10 days from the time you were arrested to apply for a hardship license. If you need your car to get to work or care for loved ones, you may only have a very limited time to get your license back. A DUI defense lawyer at Trevena, Pontrello, & Associates in Largo, Florida can fight to get you a hardship license, can review the evidence gathered during your arrest, and can help you understand your next options.

Common DUI Defenses

If you are facing DUI charges, you may have several options. You can take a plea deal in which you might receive reduced consequences if you agree to certain things like attending a drug or alcohol treatment program or agreeing to use an ignition interlock device in your car. An ignition interlock device is a machine that requires drivers to submit to a breath test each and every time they get behind the wheel. If you need your car to get to work or to care for your family and loved ones, this might be an option available with a plea deal.

Yet, sometimes individuals are wrongfully accused of a DUI. If you were not driving under the influence, there are several DUI defenses your DUI lawyer may use. What are they? Here are a few:

Probable Cause. Police need to have a valid reason to stop you. If police pulled you over without having a good cause to do so, any evidence the officer gathers during the stop may not be admissible in court. So, if you believe that you were racially profiled, for example, you may be able to fight your DUI charges in court. However, if you were stopped during a DUI roadside check, any evidence gathered in the stop may be legal.
Miranda Warnings. Officers must read you your Miranda Warnings if you are under arrest. If officers fail to do this, anything you say to officers may not be able to be admitted in court.
Show Evidence for Why You May Have Failed a Field Sobriety Test. Individuals with balance issues, those with certain medical conditions, and those with fatigue can have problems that can lead to a failed field sobriety test. If you have any of these medical conditions, the DUI defense attorneys at Trevena, Pontrello and Associates in Largo, Florida may be able to help you.
Mishandling of Evidence. How officers take breath and blood tests matters. If officers fail to properly test their breathalyzers or calibrate this equipment, the results can be skewed. If you were on the cusp of the legal limit, your DUI attorney may take a close look at the age of the breathalyzer used and ask to see maintenance records of the breathalyzer. Police must also use professional blood testing facilities when doing blood alcohol tests. If there were delays in the results, the DUI law firm at Trevena, Pontrello and Associates may be able to help you.

DUI law firm

These are just some of the ways that your DUI law firm may be able to fight your DUI charges. If you are under arrest for a DUI, assert your right to remain silent. (This means, tell officers that you choose to remain silent). Then, ask to call a DUI lawyer right away. Trevena, Pontrello and Associates is a DUI defense attorney in Largo, Florida who may be able to help you.

Protect Your Reputation and Innocence

If this is your first DUI arrest, or even if this is your second or subsequent DUI, you might be frightened, confused, and worried. Much is at stake, including your driving privileges, your freedom, and your reputation. When you need help for a DUI, contact the DUI defense lawyers in Largo, Florida at Trevena, Pontrello and Associates today. We will take the time to review the circumstances of your DUI arrest, help you understand your options and rights, and work hard to get you the best possible resolution permitted under the law.

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