DUI License Suspension Lawyer in Tampa

Losing Your Driving Privileges After a DUI

For the most part, the penalties of a DUI conviction are fairly straightforward when it comes to serving time in jail and paying fines. However, when it comes to the penalties against your driving privileges, many individuals are not clear on how the law will affect them. At Parks & Braxton, PA, our Tampa DUI attorneys have worked on thousands of DUI cases and helped our clients understand the legal issues they face. We know that every situation is unique, but we also know that it is important to know the basics of a DUI arrest—and the fact is, if you have been arrested for driving under the influence, your driving privileges may be at risk!

Contact Parks & Braxton, PA and take advantage of 50+ years of collective legal experience!

When can my license be suspended?

Drivers may face license suspension more than once in a DUI-related incident. Generally, individuals may face license suspension during a DUI arrest or as a penalty of conviction. These suspensions must be fought separately—even if you are able to appeal an automatic suspension, you may have to fight a suspension again if you are convicted of DUI. The most effective way to prevent a license suspension is defending against the charges. Whether you have just been arrested or are preparing to face the penalties of a conviction, get in touch with our DUI defense attorney in Tampa and explore your legal options.

Drivers Under the Age of 21

Section 322.2616 of the Florida Statutes outlines the laws for automatic license suspension for drivers under the age of 21 with an alcohol level of .02% blood alcohol concentration (BAC) or greater. This suspension takes effect immediately upon arrest. If the individual's BAC is registered at .05% or higher, he or she will have to complete a substance abuse course before being able to restore their driver's license.

Suspension penalties for drivers under 21 include the following:

• First suspension with .02% BAC or greater – 6 months
• Second or additional consecutive suspensions – 1 year
• First suspension for breath test refusal – 1 year
• Second or additional consecutive refusals – 18 months

Suspension After a DUI Arrest

Under section 322.2615 of the Florida Statutes, an officer may automatically suspend your driver's license during an arrest if you register a .08% BAC or higher in a test or refuse to submit to a breath test. Like other administrative license suspensions, this suspension takes immediate effect. This suspension also occurs before the trial has begun, which means that you may face another license suspension if you are later convicted of DUI.

Suspension penalties during a DUI arrest include the following:

• First suspension at .08% BAC or higher – 6 months
• Second or additional consecutive arrests – 1 year
• First breath test refusal suspension – 1 year
• Second or additional breath test refusal – 18 months

Suspension After DUI Conviction

Whether or not your license was automatically suspended during an arrest, you may face driver's license suspension as a penalty of conviction. This means that you may have to defend your driving privileges in more than one legal procedure. Depending on the judge's discretion and your own driving record, this license suspension could last from 6 months to as much as 5 years.

Secure Legal Protection Immediately—Call 888-667-1273

With our dedicated Tampa DUI lawyer providing aggressive defense to protect your rights in court, you may reduce the risk of driver's license suspension or eliminate it entirely. Remember, you only have 10 days to appeal an automatic suspension after a DUI arrest, and the loss of your driving privileges may harm your current employment as well as your future opportunities. Do not let a DUI driver's license suspension impede your life! Schedule a free consultation with Parks & Braxton, PA today. We are available to call 24/7, including holidays and weekends.