Driving under the influence (DUI) charges are some of the most common criminal violations prosecuted in Florida. The penalties that the courts may impose after a guilty plea or a conviction include jail time, expensive fines and driver’s license suspensions. People can lose their jobs and may have to pay far more for insurance after a DUI conviction.
Even people who believe they make responsible choices about alcohol can sometimes find themselves facing DUI charges. There are a few scenarios that have a particularly strong association with DUI prosecution in Florida.
Involvement in a collision
Law enforcement professionals typically scrutinize all parties involved in significant collisions. They look for signs of lying and dangerous driving. In some situations, police officers may reach the conclusion that one of the motorists could have been under the influence of drugs or alcohol. If a motorist fails a breath test, they could face DUI charges even if they weren’t the party who actually caused the wreck.
Encountering a sobriety checkpoint
Law enforcement professionals can use sobriety checkpoints to evaluate a large number of motorists in a short window of time. Florida is one of many states that permits sobriety checkpoints when police departments follow the right procedure. Someone who encounters a DUI roadblock or sobriety checkpoint may be at risk of criminal charges even if they have had nothing to drink. Issues ranging from confirmation bias to uncalibrated testing units can lead to inaccurate test results.
Getting pulled over by an officer
Sometimes, police officers see what they believe are clear signs of intoxication. They may pull a driver over to explore that suspicion. Other times, they may have initiated the traffic stop for an unrelated reason. However, their conversation with the driver leads them to believe that they are likely under the influence.
Regardless of what has led to a DUI arrest, a driver may need professional support while developing a defense strategy. Failing to do so could lead to a DUI conviction and a variety of serious consequences. Avoiding scenarios that increase the risk of DUI prosecution can help motorists preserve their driving privileges and avoid accusations of violating the law.