You may ask, do I really need a lawyer for a first offense? While if it's a 1st
offense in Florida there may be not mandatory jail time required but a DUI
conviction can't be sealed, can be used to increase the penalty for additional
DUI's if you ever get another and will certainly increase your auto insurance
premiums.
That's just the
criminal side of a DUI, then there is the administrative drivers license issues
that must be addressed within certain time limits or you'll lose your temporary
driving privileges.
In short, you should
obtain legal counsel immediately if arrested and charged with DUI, even if it's
your first offense. The criminal penalties will remain on your record and your
driving privileges may be suspended longer than necessarily required by law. A
lawyer can help you with both the criminal and administrative portions of a DUI
arrest.
