How serious is DUI/DWI?
Driving a motor vehicle Under the Influence of alcoholic beverages or a controlled substance (DUI) is a misdemeanor that is taken very seriously by prosecutors in the State of Florida. A first conviction requires by Florida Statutes that a person be placed on probation, complete 50 hours of community service, complete DUI school, complete a substance abuse course, attend the VIP (victim impact panel), and pay several hundred dollars in fines and court costs (the fine itself is between $250.00 and $500.00). A six month license suspension and temporary vehicle immobilization are also required by statute. Jail is not mandatory on a first DUI; however, a person can be sentenced up to six months in jail on a first time DUI. Second and subsequent convictions require a more lengthy and costly advanced DUI School, higher fines, longer license suspensions and the possibility of longer jail sentences. Depending on the date of a person’s prior conviction, a jail sentence may be mandatory for a su
DUI/DWI is a serious problem. Thousands of Americans are killed each year in DUI/DWI accidents. Although many of those accidents result in the death of the intoxicated party, a significant and unfortunate number involve the death of “innocent” parties who were in the wrong place at a time when someone chose to drive a car while impaired. DUI/DWI is dangerous both for those individuals who choose to operate a car under the influence and for those individuals who are on the road at the same time. In addition to the severe physical injuries that may result from a DUI/DWI accident, there are also serious emotional and mental scars that may never fully heal for either the offender or his or her victims.
