pinellas county attorney who defends dui offenders

How much does a DUI lawyer cost in Florida?

The cost of a DUI attorney ranges depending on the level of experience, skill, and reputation that an attorney might have. A novice attorney will cost less than one with an established reputation. If your DUI in Florida is a misdemeanor offense, attorney fees will range from around $1,500 to $7,500.

How do you get a DUI dismissed in Florida?

If any of the evidence can be shown as invalid or errors made during your arrest can be proven, the DUI charges against you will be dismissed or reduced to a lesser offense in most circumstances.

Can you fight a DUI in Florida?

If you're facing a DUI charge in Florida, you could face serious penalties because prosecutors and judges take these crimes seriously. However, facing charges is not the same as being convicted. You still have the right to hire a DUI defense attorney to fight a DUI charge and protect your future.Aug 17, 2021

What is the average cost of a lawyer for a DUI plea in Virginia?

Typical DUIs: $1000 – $2000. Felony DUI (3rd offense): $2500+ Bond Hearings: up to $1000. Typical Misdemeanor Charge: $750-$1500.

Can a DUI in Florida be expunged?

Under Florida law, DUI convictions cannot be expunged, but when applicable to expunge or seal a DUI arrest you must first submit an application to the Florida Department of Law Enforcement. ... If the Florida DLE grants your expungement eligibility, you will receive a certificate stating so.Feb 24, 2020

How many DUI cases get dismissed in Florida?

In roughly 40 percent of cases, DUI charges are reduced to lesser charges like reckless driving. Sometimes, charges are dismissed altogether. But why are 40 percent of DUI charges in Florida dropped or reduced, you may ask? Well, this has a lot to do with the specifics of the case.Apr 30, 2015

How long can a DUI case stay open in Florida?

two years for a DUI-related offense charged as a first degree misdemeanor; three years for a DUI-related offense charged as a third degree or second degree felony; four years for a DUI-related offenses charged as a first degree or second degree felony; or.Nov 9, 2018

Can a first time DUI be dismissed in Florida?

If you have been charged with a DUI in Florida, you may be wondering if there is any way to get your DUI charge dropped. The answer is yes. With the help of a skilled legal team, you may be able to have your DUI charged dropped.Jul 18, 2019

What happens when a DUI is dismissed in Florida?

This, therefore, means that if you have been arrested by a police officer, regardless of whether your case has been dismissed or not, your arrest will remain on your record and could impact your future job prospects. You should consider expunging any DUI that was completely dismissed.

What does a DUI cost in VA?

Criminal Fines In most cases, a DUI offense carries a maximum fine of $2,500 in Virginia. That being said, the court has a certain amount of discretion when determining the final sentence.Aug 9, 2018

How much is a DUI ticket VA?

A person convicted of a first DWI faces fines of $250 to $2,500, plus court costs. The VASAP will also cost the driver $250 to $300. An offender with a juvenile passenger must pay an additional $500 to $1,000 fine.

How much are DUI classes in VA?

DUI and DWI ClassesProgramPrice10 Hour Level 1 DUI Class$185.0012 Hour Level 2 DUI Class$195.0016 Hour Level 2 DUI Class$275.0020 Hour Level 2 DUI Class$295.004 more rows

Is DUI a defense?

All DUI charges are unique to that driver’s situation. However, the potential defenses in drunk driving cases are limitless. Deciding on a DUI lawyer with exclusive facts of these possible defenses is critical. You can discuss your circumstances with a St. Petersburg DUI defense lawyer and determine a strong defense for your case.

What happens if you drive under the influence in Florida?

Driving under the influence in Florida is a complex matter that goes well beyond your day in court. You could face harsh penalties, including jail time and fines, along with a lifetime of consequences.

How many members does the Florida Alcohol and Drug Abuse Association have?

Florida Alcohol and Drug Abuse Association – The Florida Alcohol and Drug Abuse Association, or FADAA, is an organization which embodies more than 100 community-based substance abuse treatment and prevention agencies and more than 1,000 individual members throughout Florida.

Can you get arrested for DUI in Florida?

Drivers in Florida can be arrested for a DUI if he or she fails a sobriety test. These tests come in two methods: physical, such as field sobriety tests, and chemical, such as a breath or blood analysis. They are used to determine if a person is impaired by drugs or alcohol.

What happens if you get arrested for DUI?

After a DUI arrest, your driver’s license is at risk and it can be taken from you in a matter completely separate from your trial. Being without a driver’s license is more than an inconvenience, and a lack of identification can cause severe problems in your personal and professional life.

Is a chemical test required for a DUI in Florida?

When a person gets behind the wheel in Florida, a resident or a visitor, he or she is deemed to have given his or her consent to submit to a chemical test during a DUI stop. This is considered an implied consent law under Florida Statutes Annotated § 316.1932.

What is a DUI in Florida?

According to Florida Statutes Annotated § 316.193, drivers can be considered under the influence when they are driving or are in actual physical control of a vehicle while under the influence of drugs or alcohol to the point where your normal faculties are impaired.

Eligibility Criteria

Please read the documents linked to this page carefully for all program details. Eligibility is determined by the State Attorney’s Office after submission of an application to participate in D.R.O.P.

DUI cases occurring in Pasco County

Download the Pasco application and then either send via US Mail to the address listed on the application, or email to: [email protected]

DUI cases occurring in Pinellas County

Download the Pinellas application and then either send via US Mail to the address listed on the application, or email to: [email protected]

What is a Diversion Program?

In general, a diversion program is a contractual written agreement between the Defendant, his or her attorney, and the prosecutor. Once drafted, it is thereafter approved by the judge.

What Types of Diversion Programs are Offered in Pinellas County?

Pinellas County offers a diversion program to help rapidly resolve first-time DUI offenses. This is called the DUI Rehabilitation of Offenders Program (D.R.O.P.). Upon successful completion of these conditions, your criminal DUI case will be reduced to a plea of guilty to Reckless Driving, Fl. Stat.

How are Diversion Programs Changing the Harsh Treatment of DUIs in Pinellas County?

In previous years, Pinellas county DUI charges were treated more harshly than other offenses. But with the creation of D.R.O.P., drivers who have been arrested for a DUI can now take advantage of similar positive benefits to those already offered for other offenses.

What Should You Do if You Have Been Charged with a DUI in Pinellas County?

If you have been charged with a DUI in St. Petersburg, Clearwater, or the surrounding areas, we cannot emphasize enough the importance of immediately scheduling a free consultation at our office to discuss the unique facts and circumstances of your case.

Why Choose Us to Help?

The attorneys of Russo Pelletier & Sullivan are former Florida State Prosecutors who learned their opponents’ tactics from the inside. Our attorneys exclusively practice DUI and Criminal Defense law in Pinellas County.

Common Crimes Committed by First-Time Offenders

Usually, a first-time offender commits minor crimes or at the most a high-class misdemeanor. Although, some people with a clean criminal record may have just made poor choices that landed them with a felony charge. For instance, a first-time offender may drive while drunk and accidentally kill someone as a result.

How Do I Get Bail After an Arrest?

When you’re arrested the first thing on your mind is probably how to get bail. In Florida, a bail is normally set after a person is arrested if it’s a minor misdemeanor case. However, some cases involving sexual, violent or felony-level crimes will set a bail at the defendant’s arraignment.

Pre-Trial Diversion Programs for Criminal Charges

Pre-trial diversion programs exist as an alternative to incarceration for non-violent, first-time offenders. It is a type of probation that carries its own conditions you must complete. These can include reporting to your probation officer, participating in treatment, counseling and undergoing random drug testing.

Plea Bargains

In some cases, the state attorney will refuse to dismiss or drop your charges entirely. The next best alternative then is to negotiate with the trial division prosecutor. You, your attorney and the state attorney can meet to discuss your case and the possibility of reducing your penalties as a result.

Sealing or Expunging Your Offense in Florida

The ramifications of a criminal conviction go far past the statutory penalties. You could have issues gaining employment, housing and pursing financial aid because of your record. Thankfully, you may be able to seal or expunge your record and hide it from the public eye entirely with the right attorney.

Additional Resources

Prison Policy Initiative – Visit the official website for the Prison Policy Initiative, a non-profit and non-partisan organization committed to stopping mass incarceration. Access the site to learn shocking prison statistics, read articles about prison politics and learn how to get involved.