After a DUI Arrest

What’s Next After a DUI Arrest?

How Our Pasco County DUI Defense Attorney Can Assist You

Florida laws are strict when it comes to driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol. Whether you are a first-time offender, repeat offender, or under the age of 21, driving with a BAC of 0.08% or higher can land you in serious trouble, including jail and a criminal record. Regardless of your situation, if you were arrested for DUI it’s important to know what to expect and how best to build your legal defense.

At Thurow Law, our experienced criminal defense lawyer has a thorough understanding of DUI law and how to mount a vigorous defense in court. Pasco County Attorney Todd Thurow’s prior experience as a police officer has given him an understanding of the criminal justice unmatched by other DUI attorneys. If you have been arrested for DUI, contact Thurow Law to retain a DUI attorney who will fight for you.

With an office located in Dade City, our legal team is prepared to help you in Pasco, Hernando, Sumter and the surrounding counties

Essential Steps to Defend Your Rights After a DUI

There are plenty of things you should do to protect your future following a DUI arrest. To ensure your rights are respected and your case receives the best possible chance of success, follow these steps when faced with a DUI charge.

1. DO NOT TALK ABOUT THE CASE ON THE JAIL PHONES

If you make calls from the county jail, DO NOT talk about the case on the phones at the jail. The calls are being recorded and anything said that is harmful to your case is likely admissible against you in court. You should not discuss your case with anyone but your lawyer.

2. Contact and Retain an Experienced DUI Lawyer Immediately

When faced with a DUI charge, you should immediately seek the counsel of an experienced DUI lawyer like Attorney Thurow. In the State of Florida, those charged with a DUI have 10 days to decide between scheduling a Formal Review Hearing or waiving the hearing in favor of pursuing a restricted driver’s license. Your personal and professional reputation is at stake. The help of a knowledgeable lawyer is invaluable in defending your reputation.

The repercussions of a DUI conviction can be steep indeed, especially if you are a repeat offender, you injured another person in a crash, or your breath test results were enhanced (.15 or higher). Immediately after your arrest, contact Thurow Law to discuss your DUI charge and we can help you form a legal plan of action and decide if a DHSMV Formal Review hearing is right for you.

3. Document Everything About Your Arrest

While your attorney will ask you the important questions about your arrest, think back to the time prior to your arrest and write everything down. Create a timeline of where you went, who you were with and what food and drinks you consumed. Reflect on the place of your arrest and try to remember if there were any irregularities in weather, visibility, or road conditions that could have impaired your driving ability. If so, it could be beneficial to return to the place of your arrest and take a few photos. If you were sick the night of your arrest, write down the details of your condition and include documentation of a doctor’s visit, if one occurred. In some situations, the arresting officer may have misinterpreted his/her observations and felt you were under the influence when you actually displayed symptoms related to a medical condition. Every detail, no matter how small, is important, so write down everything you can remember and relay the information to your lawyer.

4. Gather Witness Information

Anyone who saw you before your arrest could serve as a witness in your case. Think about people who witnessed you before you got into your vehicle. These potential witnesses could be valet attendants, restaurant servers, or even friends or family. Your DUI attorney may wish to speak with these people and list them as defense witnesses. Obtain their full names, addresses, email addresses and phone numbers. You should have this information to present to your DUI attorney. DO NOT contact the witnesses and talk to them about the alleged facts of your case. Simply get their contact information and relay it to your DUI attorney.

5. Act Quickly to Protect Your Driver’s License

You will need to act immediately to protect your driver’s license. In the State of Florida, your driver’s license will be suspended following an arrest for DUI. In order to protect your driver’s license, you need to act quickly and seek the help of an experienced DUI attorney. You have 10 days from the date of your arrest to take the appropriate action to save your privilege to drive. You may be eligible for an immediate hardship license.

Understanding Your Defense Options Against Florida DUIs

Attorney Todd Thurow has a thorough understanding of police procedures, field sobriety exercises and breath test/Intoxilyzers. Attorney Thurow has attended many of the same DUI training courses offered to police officers, including training on field sobriety exercises and breath test operation. In fact, Thurow owns his own Intoxilyzer.

Contact Thurow Law today to begin building your defense.

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