Get Answers to Common Questions Now
Our clients have many of the same fears and concerns. To get started, we’ve compiled answers to many of the most frequently asked questions about Federal, Florida DUI and criminal law, covering a wide range of topics to help each client understand the potential implications and options of many legal situations.
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Should I Hire a Lawyer for My Car Accident Case in Florida? Like so many legal questions about car accidents, the answer is: it depends. If your injuries are minor, you only had 1-2 visits to the doctor you probably don’t need to and shouldn’t hire a lawyer. If the damage to your car is being paid by the at-fault driver’s insurance and you did not require medical treatment you need to realize two things: 1). You are very lucky and 2). I doubt an attorney could do much better than you can do on your own.
However, if your medical bills are greater than $2,500, you missed time from work or are still experiencing pain and physical problems a week or two after your accident, I encourage to at least speak with us. If the insurance company for the at-fault driver is giving you a tough time or the runaround when it comes to accepting liability (fault), we may be able to help. Most lawyers offer free consultations so you can have your questions answered.
Remember, under Florida’s PIP law, you must be seen by a doctor within 14 days and ultimately obtain an Emergency Medical Condition (EMC) in order to receive your full PIP benefits. That’s why it is always best to at least get checked out immediately after your accident to make sure you are covered and there are no serious problems.
If you want to speak with a car accident attorney serving Miami-Dade, Broward, Monroe, Palm Beach and Collier County, call me at (305) 707-7345. Even if you don’t hire us, we can help provide you with valuable information in the form of free books and other materials.
Have You Been Involved In A Miami Area Accident
Have you been hurt in an accident in Miami? If so, you need to speak with an experienced personal injury lawyer as soon as possible. Contact me online or call my Miami office directly at 305.707.7345.
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I Have a Herniated Lumbar Disc after a Car Crash, What Should I Do? One of the most common and troubling injuries after a car accident is a herniated disc in the lumbar region of the spine/back. The lumbar region is in the lower part of the back and is a serious injury because this part of the back controls a lot of what we do in our everyday lives. Sitting, standing and bending are all affected by herniation to the lumbar spine.
If you have suffered a herniation to the lumbar spine after a car wreck, you should take this injury seriously and it is not something you can ignore. People often make the mistake of assuming that this will simply go away and take care of itself. That is false and it will not improve and ultimately go away or become manageable without proper treatment. Receiving treatment is very important following an accident especially if you are diagnosed with herniated disc(s) in the lumbar spine. When you do go in for treatment, be sure to communicate all of your symptoms with your doctor. Doing so will be very important should you decide to file a claim.
Have You Been Involved In A Miami Area Accident
Have you been hurt in an accident in Miami? If so, you need to speak with an experienced personal injury lawyer as soon as possible. Contact me online or call my Miami office directly at 305.707.7345.
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What should I do immediately after a car accident? - Get Proper Medical Treatment: Contrary to popular belief and catchy jingles you may hear on the radio, you do not have to call an attorney right away after a car accident in Florida. The most important you can do is get proper medical treatment. It is a mistake to put off medical treatment simply because you are worried about the value of your car accident case. Quick medical care is just as important for your car accident claim or lawsuit as it is to your health and wellbeing. By failing to get proper treatment and care, you could be contributing to your injuries. This will reduce the amount of money that you can recover from whoever really caused your pain.
- Be Honest With Your Doctor: Do not lie or withhold information from your doctor. Many people who are seriously injured in an accident fail to tell their doctors everything. Make sure you are communicating all of your complaints to your doctor. People do this for many reasons. Mostly because they think the pain will fade or the focus on the broken bones and forget to mention the smaller stuff because it is, well, smaller or they think it’s not related to the accident because it didn’t appear until a few days later. All of this can hurt your case down the road. Tell your doctors everything.
- Document Everything: Gather as much evidence as possible immediately following an accident. That includes taking pictures, obtaining reports, witness names, etc. Also, keep track of all medical treatments, hospital and/or doctor’s visits and procedures you received after your injury. Keep a journal and make a file with dates.
Have You Been Involved In A Miami Area Accident
Have you been hurt in an accident in Miami? If so, you need to speak with an experienced personal injury lawyer as soon as possible. Contact me online or call my Miami office directly at 305.707.7345.
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Do I need a lawyer to handle my personal injury claim? You definitely do not need an attorney for every small injury case. In fact, our office does not even accept cases where there’s little or no property damage or the injuries are minor. Why not? In small cases, the attorney’s fee and costs might leave little or nothing for you after your medical bills are paid, and that is not fair to you. While you may not need a lawyer to represent you in a small injury case, you should at least educate yourself and speak with a lawyer. Remember most lawyer’s initial consultations are free. Even if you do not have a case (sometimes this is the best advice you can get), you should meet with a lawyer before you sign any forms or speak with the insurance adjuster.
Have You Been Involved In A Miami Area Accident
Have you been hurt in an accident in Miami? If so, you need to speak with an experienced personal injury lawyer as soon as possible. Contact me online or call my Miami office directly at 305.707.7345.
Related Links:
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What is an Arraignment? An arraignment is typically the beginning of every criminal case. Arraignment is where the prosecution announces the charges they are filing against you (if any). This is also where the judge formally addresses the charges against you and asks you how you wish to plea to the charges. The pleas are usually “guilty," “not guilty” or “no contest."
If you have hired an attorney prior to the arraignment date, you could have the option to waive the arraignment. If your attorney files written pleadings on your behalf, you do not have to physically show up to court. If a defendant (through counsel) waives the arraignment, it usually means that he or she is aware of the charges against them, and will plead not guilty.
Normally, the arraignment occurs shortly after the arrest. For in-custody defendants, if an arraignment takes longer than expected, the defendant could argue that his or her constitutional right to a Speedy Trial is being violated. If there is proof that the arraignment was delayed for an inexcusable reason, the case could be dismissed. However, this is most likely not the case.
If the defendant wants, needs, or does not have a criminal defense attorney on the day of the arraignment, the defendant is allowed to ask for a rescheduling of the arraignment day. If this occurs, the judge can reschedule the arraignment for a day that the defendant will have a lawyer present.
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What must be proven to convict me of DUI? To convict you of driving under the influence in Florida under section 316.193(1), Florida Statutes, the prosecutor must prove every element of the charge beyond a reasonable doubt.
The prosecutor MUST be able to prove:
- You drove or were in actual physical control of a vehicle.
- While driving or in actual physical control of the vehicle, you
- were under the influence of [alcoholic beverages] [a chemical substance] [a controlled substance] to the extent that your normal faculties were impaired.
- had a [blood] [breath]-alcohol level of .08 or more grams of alcohol per [100 milliliters of blood] [210 liters of breath].
Actual physical control of a vehicle means you are physically in or on the vehicle and have the capability to operate the vehicle, regardless of whether you are actually operating the vehicle at the time.
According to Florida’s standard jury instructions, normal faculties “include but are not limited to the ability to see, hear, walk, talk, judge distances, drive an automobile, make judgments, act in emergencies and, in general, to normally perform the many mental and physical acts of our daily lives.”
What happens if there is a blood/breath reading in my case?
When the jury hears evidence of a blood/breath reading, Florida law has various presumptions (these presumptions may be overcome with other evidence that you either were, or were not, under the influence:
- Reading below a .05 - If you were driving or in actual physical control of a vehicle and had a blood or breath-alcohol level of .05 and below the jury is to presume that you were not under the influence.
- Reading more than .05 but below .08 - When a jury finds that you were driving or in actual physical control of a vehicle and had a blood or breath-alcohol reading above a .05 but below a .08 there is no presumption either way that you were, or were not under the influence. In this case the jury will consider other evidence to determine whether you were under the influence to the point that your normal faculties were impaired.
- Reading of .08 or more - This evidence alone is enough to find that you were under the influence at the time of driving or being in actual physical control of a vehicle. Note: this evidence may be contradicted or rebutted by other evidence that you were NOT under the influence to the extent that your normal faculties were impaired.
What if I failed the roadside sobriety tests or blew over the legal limit?
There may still be defenses available in your case. DUI law is very complex and has many layers. Don’t assume that because you were stopped, arrested, did not perform to standards on the roadside sobriety exercises and blew over the legal limit of .08 that all is lost. Before you go to court and plead guilty to the charge of DUI, you should seek the experience and counsel of a DUI lawyer in Miami to discuss your case, potential defenses and options.
Do You Need A Miami DUI Defense Laywer?
If you find yourself charged with DUI in Miami you need to speak with an experienced DUI attorney as soon as possible. Please contact me online or call my Coral Gables office directly at 305.707.7345. You should also download my free book "A Six Pack Of Questions That Can Cause A Hangover After A DUI Arrest". This free download provides valuable information and answers to questions about DUI charges that can give you the best chance at winning your case.
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Is DUI a felony? DUI is usually a misdemeanor with extremely serious consequences, fines, penalties and even the possibility of jail time. However, those consequences are ratcheted up when your DUI carries with it certain factors or aggravators that will make it a felony.
There are two ways your DUI can become a felony:
1. This is not your first DUI and you have multiple convictions:
- Third DUI within 10 years of the second conviction
- Mandatory 30 days in jail
- Third-degree felony, maximum sentence of 5 years in prison
- $2,000 — $5,000 fine
- 10-year driver’s license revocation
- Fourth or subsequent conviction
- Maximum prison sentence of 5 years
- Permanent driver’s license revocation with no possibility of hardship reinstatement
- Minimum $2,000 fine
2. Aggravating factors such as serious bodily injury or death:
- Cause serious bodily injury
- Third-degree felony
- Maximum 5 years in prison
- $5,000 fine (max)
- Minimum 3-year revocation
- DUI Manslaughter
- Second-degree felony
- Maximum 15 years in prison
- $10,000 fine (max)
- Mandatory permanent revocation, may be eligible for hardship reinstatement in 5 years if no prior related DUI convictions
- DUI Manslaughter and Leaving the Scene
- First-degree felony
- $10,000 fine (max)
- 30 years in prison
If you or someone you love is being charged with a felony, do not wait. Enlist the services of a Miami DUI attorney that will fight for your rights and leave no stone unturned in his defense.
Do You Need A Miami DUI Defense Laywer?
If you find yourself charged with DUI in Miami you need to speak with an experienced DUI attorney as soon as possible. Please contact me online or call my Coral Gables office directly at 305.707.7345. You should also download my free book "A Six Pack Of Questions That Can Cause A Hangover After A DUI Arrest". This free download provides valuable information and answers to questions about DUI charges that can give you the best chance at winning your case.
- Third DUI within 10 years of the second conviction
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What is the difference between DUI and DWI? People often ask the difference between DUI and DWI. In Florida, drunk driving laws are classified under DUI, or driving under the influence. While it is quite common to confuse the two acronyms, the answer depends on the laws in the state in which you are in. States define and identify drunk and/or driving under the influence of drugs (or controlled substances) differently. DUI is driving under the influence, the way Florida classifies it. DWI, driving while intoxicated or driving while impaired is commonly used in other states, such as Texas.
DUI is a very serious crime in Florida. The state has some of the toughest DUI laws of anywhere in the country and anyone suspected driving or being in actual physical control of a motor vehicle while under the influence of drugs or alcohol is charged under Florida DUI Statute, §316.193. In Florida, the term DWI is not used in the statutes. If you are looking for more information, read my FREE consumer guide: “ It’s Not Just A Traffic Ticket: A Six-Pack of Questions That Can Cause a Hangover after a DUI Arrest”. This FREE book provides information on how to hire a DUI lawyer in Florida and answers the six questions making your head hurt.
Each state identifies the offense differently by using either DUI or DWI. Some states may apply both DUI and DWI to their laws, while some others have statutes that apply operating under the influence (OUI).
No matter, the terminology used, most states have serious consequences for driving while under the influence. Florida has some of the harshest DUI laws in the nation. Consequences in Florida, even for a first offense can include jail, probation, mandatory license suspension, vehicle immobilization or impoundment, ignition interlock. In addition, a DUI conviction can never be erased from your criminal history meaning that will not only impact and increase your insurance premiums but can also jeopardize your job, professional license, ability to obtain scholarships, get a loan or obtain security clearances.
If you have been arrested for DUI in Florida, you need to act quickly because you actually two problems, not just one. Florida immediately suspends your driver’s license if you were over the legal limit of .08 or if you refused to submit to a breath, blood or urine test. You only have 10 days from the date of arrest to request a formal review hearing to challenge the suspension of your driver’s license. If eligible, you may also request to waive formal or informal review and attempt to obtain a restricted permit that allows you to drive for “Business Purpose Only.”
Either way, you need to enlist the services of a DUI lawyer that focuses their practice on the defense of drunk driving cases and can help navigate both sides of a DUI. I welcome the opportunity to see you for a confidential consultation to discuss your case, goals and potential defenses.
Do You Need A Miami DUI Defense Laywer?
If you find yourself charged with DUI in Miami you need to speak with an experienced DUI attorney as soon as possible. Please contact me online or call my Coral Gables office directly at 305.707.7345. You should also download my free book "A Six Pack Of Questions That Can Cause A Hangover After A DUI Arrest". This free download provides valuable information and answers to questions about DUI charges that can give you the best chance at winning your case.
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Do I need a lawyer? While you don’t NEED a lawyer do anything, you SHOULD go speak to one and see how they can help you defend yourself against your DUI arrest. Before you speak to ANY lawyer about your DUI educate yourself by reading my FREE consumer guide: “It’s Not Just A Traffic Ticket.” This FREE book provides information on how to hire a DUI lawyer in Florida and answers a six pack of questions that can cause a hangover after a DUI arrest. BEWARE: this valuable information is not popular among so-called “DUI” lawyers looking to take your hard-earned money and simply plea you guilty.
By seeking the help of a Miami DUI defense attorney, you may be able to build a defense to the charge of DUI and better your current circumstances avoid many of the harsh penalties associated with DUI in Florida.
What questions should I ask a lawyer before I hire them?
- Who will be handling my case?
- How much experience do you have handling DUI cases?
- Are you a former prosecutor or public defender?
- Have you been disciplined by the state bar?
- What are the costs of legal fees, investigators, experts, depositions, transcripts?
- What can I expect the final outcome of my case to be?
What does a DUI lawyer in Miami cost?
There are no hard-and-fast rules when it comes to legal fees charged by attorneys to defend your DUI. Criminal defense, and particularly DUI defense, seems to have some of the largest discrepancies or ranges in fees charged by lawyers. The typical range for a DUI lawyer can be anywhere from $800 to $10,000 for a first DUI.
A general rule of thumb, however, is that the “plea mills” or the “dump truck” lawyers tend to charge unreasonably low fees because they rely on having a volume practice and the amount of work they will put in on your behalf. These lawyers usually go to court a couple of times and convince you to take a plea without really exploring options that are available to you or actually fighting your case. Remember: it’s tough to offer excellent service, high quality of work AND a low price. If you are shopping solely on price you will most likely sacrifice one of the other two qualities—if not both!
Beware, there are some terrible DUI lawyers charging extremely high legal fees and some good DUI attorneys charging their clients much more reasonable fees. Price alone should not be the only determining factor to consider when making your decision on who to hire to defend your DUI.
Most good DUI lawyers that focus primarily on DUI defense will charge anywhere between $4,000 and $10,000 (some even more). The better DUI lawyers charge fees that are reasonable for the amount of work they do, because properly fighting a DUI charge requires a lot of work.
Do You Need A Miami DUI Defense Laywer?
If you find yourself charged with DUI in Miami you need to speak with an experienced DUI attorney as soon as possible. Please contact me online or call my Coral Gables office directly at 305.707.7345. You should also download my free book "A Six Pack Of Questions That Can Cause A Hangover After A DUI Arrest". This free download provides valuable information and answers to questions about DUI charges that can give you the best chance at winning your case.
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What does a DUI cost? I was arrested for DUI, what is this going to cost me?
If you have been charged with a DUI in Miami, the cost of even a first conviction can be much more damaging and harmful than the costs of fighting your arrest/charge. Florida has some of the toughest DUI laws and penalties in the country and after a first conviction for a DUI you may be facing costs including:
- Fines – $500-$1,000 (if Blood/Breath alcohol level of .15 or higher or minor children in the car, the fine is between $1,000-$2,000);
- Court costs/surcharges – approximately $600-$650;
- DUI School – $250-$400;
- Treatment (if required) – approximately $250-$500
- Probation – approximately $55 per month ($330-$660) to cover the cost of supervision while on probation (period of probation and incarceration may not exceed one year);
- Vehicle Impoundment or Immobilization – approximately $150 for 10 days or $300 for 90 days;
- Ignition Interlock (mandatory for BAL of .15 and above) – $200;
- Victim Impact Panel – $40
- Cost of prosecution – $50
- Cost Recovery – As determined and requested by law enforcement;
- Donation – $25 Ryder Trauma Center
In addition, after a Florida DUI conviction, you are likely to see a considerable increase in your auto insurance rates. To make matters worse, a DUI conviction could affect your ability to get to work, prevent you from getting certain jobs in the future, impact your ability to get a loan, make you ineligible for scholarships, obtain a professional license or even get you fired from your current job. On the other hand, you may be able to avoid all of this by fighting your DUI charge in Florida.
By seeking the help of a Miami DUI defense attorney, you may be able to build a defense to the charge of DUI and better your current circumstances avoid many of the harsh penalties associated with DUI in Florida.
What does a DUI lawyer in Miami cost?There are no hard-and-fast rules when it comes to legal fees charged by attorneys to defend your DUI. Criminal defense and particularly DUI defense seems to have some of the largest discrepancies or ranges of fees charged by lawyers. The typical range for a DUI lawyer can be anywhere from $800 to $10,000 for a first offense DUI.
As a general rule of thumb, the “plea mills” or the “dump truck” lawyers tend to charge unreasonably low fees because of the amount of work they tend to put in on your behalf. They usually go to court a couple of times and convince you to take a plea without really exploring options that are available to you or actually fighting your case. Remember: it’s tough to offer excellent service, high quality of work AND a low price. If you are shopping solely on price you will most likely sacrifice the other two qualities.
Beware, there are some terrible DUI lawyers charging extremely high legal fees and some good DUI attorneys charging their clients’ much more reasonable fees. Therefore, price alone should not be the only determining factor when you are making your decision on what DUI lawyer to hire.
Most good DUI lawyers that focus primarily on DUI defense will charge anywhere between $4,000 and $10,000 (some even more). The better DUI lawyers charge fees that are reasonable for the amount of work they do, because properly fighting a DUI charge requires a lot of work.
Do You Need A Miami DUI Defense Laywer?
If you find yourself charged with DUI in Miami you need to speak with an experienced DUI attorney as soon as possible. Please contact me online or call my Coral Gables office directly at 305.707.7345. You should also download my free book "A Six Pack Of Questions That Can Cause A Hangover After A DUI Arrest". This free download provides valuable information and answers to questions about DUI charges that can give you the best chance at winning your case.
Related Links: