Dui In Florida: What Are The Penalties?

A Tampa DUI in Florida is an arrest with a .08 blood or breathe alcohol test. The penalties and fines are the same no matter how the alcohol test was given, whether by blood or by breath. The severity of the fines and imprisonment are distributed by the number of arrests or infractions.

First Conviction fees are no less than $500 or greater than $1,000 with a Tampa DUI. If the BAL (blood/breath alcohol level) is .15 or higher or there is a minor in the vehicle, the fine increases to no less than $1,000 or more than $2,000. Community Service is a mandatory 50 hours or an additional fine of $10 for each hour of community service required is added to the financial reparations. For a first conviction the total period of probation and incarceration may not exceed 1 year. At the court's discretion, sentencing terms may be served in a residential alcoholism or drug abuse treatment program, credited toward term of imprisonment, but not more than 6 months of the sentence. If the BAL is .15 or higher or there is a minor in the vehicle the jail sentence is increased to no more than 9 months available service in a treatment program.

For the Second Conviction the fees are no less than $1,000 or more than $2,000. If the BAL is .15 or higher or there is a minor in the vehicle this increases to no less than $2,000, or more than $4,000. Imprisonment is no more than 9 months. If the BAL is .15 or higher or there is a minor in the vehicle this increases to no more than 12 months. If the second conviction is within 5 years of the first conviction, there is a mandatory imprisonment of at least 10 days, of which 48 hours of confinement must be consecutive.

For the Third Conviction of a Tampa DUI, the fees are increased to no less than $2,000, or more than $5,000. If there is a BAL of .15 or higher or a minor in the vehicle the fee increases to no less than $4,000. If the third conviction is within 10 years of a previous DUI, there is a mandatory imprisonment of at least 30 days, of which 48 hours of confinement must be consecutive. If third conviction has occurred more than 10 years from the second conviction, imprisonment will be for not more than 12 months.

The Florida Law allows impoundment of the vehicle unless it is the primary car of the residence.