Not all traffic violations are equal, and the law accounts for this in assessing fines for DUI in Florida. The state bases the severity of penalties on the seriousness of the offense. For instance, the penalty for running a red light is not as harsh as for causing a fender bender that results from it.
Few traffic violations are as severe as a DUI. Every state, including Florida, responds unfavorably to drunk driving incidents because they not only affect the offender. DUI incidents also negatively impact others on the road by putting their lives at substantial risk.
Drunk driving is a serious problem in the country. The NHTSA notes that approximately 32 people die in drunk-driving crashes in the U.S. every day. That amounts to roughly one person every 45 minutes. In addition, research shows that 11,654 people died from alcohol-impaired accidents in 2020.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) also noted that the annual estimated cost of crash deaths involving alcohol-impaired drivers was over $120 billion in 2020.
Therefore, it’s unsurprising that the law responds in kind to Florida DUI and DWI offenses. Drivers convicted of impaired driving face harsh consequences. However, punishments vary for first-time and repeat offenders. The law imposes stiff penalties on first-time offenders to deter them from repeating the same mistake. So the penalties for drivers with multiple DUI violations are more severe than for a first conviction.
The Florida DUI and Administrative Suspension Laws require drivers to pay hefty fines for DUI in Florida. In addition, they also face possible jail time, probation, and license suspension. A Florida DUI or DWI conviction requires drivers to file an FR-44 insurance certificate to reinstate their driving privileges.
Penalties & Fines for DUI in Florida: First-Time Offenders
First-time DUI offenders do not get off easily when convicted of a DUI or DWI in Florida. They still face severe punishments, including costly fines. The penalties imposed vary, partly based on the driver’s blood alcohol content (BAC). For instance, the legal BAC limit in Florida is 0.08; therefore, drivers with a higher BAC limit will receive a heavier penalty.
Generally, first-time offenders receive fines up to $1,000 for DUI in Florida. However, this number can double if there was a minor in their vehicle or their BAC level was over 0.15. The fine can also significantly increase if the driver is responsible for an accident that caused serious injury, pushing it to $5,000.
Similarly, drivers also face possible jail time of up to six months. However, their jail time increases to nine months if a minor is in the vehicle or their BAC level is over 0.15. Likewise, drivers can also face a year-long jail sentence if they are responsible for an accident that resulted in injuries or property damage. Accidents resulting in serious bodily harm to other people can cause drivers to spend five years in jail.
More importantly, drivers face a license suspension between six months and a year. However, drivers can apply for a restricted license, allowing them to travel from home to work and vice versa. The court may also order the driver to place an ignition interlock device (IID) in their vehicle – another multiple-year expense.
Penalties & Fines for DUI in Florida: Repeat Offenders
Penalties for repeat offenders vary. Of course, the law treats third or fourth-time offenders more harshly than second-time offenders.
Second-Time Offenders
Second-time offenders face higher fines for DUI in Florida, usually starting at $2,000. However, the fine can be as much as $5,000 if the driver had a BAC level over 0.15 percent or a minor was in the vehicle with them. They also face longer jail sentences. A second DUI conviction within five years of the first conviction can result in up to nine months of imprisonment. Moreover, drivers face up to a year in jail if their BAC is over 0.15 or if a minor is in the vehicle.
Second-time offenders also face a license suspension for a year. They must undergo a substance abuse course, and a mandatory IID is necessary after they obtain a high-risk Florida DUI insurance certificate.
Third-Time Offenders
Third-time offenders face up to five years of jail time, especially if they already have another DUI conviction within the previous ten years. These drivers must also take a substance abuse course and get a psycho-social evaluation. In addition, they can lose their license for up to two years. IID installation for two years is also mandatory after obtaining an FR-44 insurance certificate.
Fourth-Time Offenders
The law isn’t kind to fourth-time DUI offenders. The state permanently revokes these drivers’ licenses, meaning no future driving privileges, including a restricted license, even with an IID or FR-44 insurance. In addition, there is a five-year prison requirement. All owned vehicles face impoundment or immobilization.
FR-44 Insurance from UltraCar Insurance
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