DUI Information in Sarasota Florida and Surrounding Counties
Here is DUI Information for Sarasota, Florida. Being arrested for a DUI can be a very stressful time in your life, and there is a great deal of information that you need to know immediately following your arrest regarding your rights and your driving privileges. Whether you have one DUI or multiple DUI’s, it could result in serious consequences, including the suspension or loss of your driver’s license, substantial fines, probation, community service, a felony conviction, Sarasota DUI school, counseling, and even jail. It is vital to speak with an experienced DUI defense attorney about your rights and options.
The information for this site is provided by The Byrd Law Firm. A major portion of The Byrd Law Firm’s criminal law practice is devoted to DUI defense. DUIs are one of the more prevalent criminal charges in the State of Florida as well as one of the most complex and specialized areas of criminal law. If you are arrested for a DUI, you want to make sure you have aggressive and experienced representation for your DUI defense, which The Byrd Law Firm will provide. Derek Byrd and Drew Solnoki are both competent criminal law attorneys, who have extensive experience in the criminal justice system, and particularly in the area of DUI laws in Sarasota, Florida.
Mr. Byrd and Mr. Solnoki have defended thousands of criminal cases in the state of Florida, including an immense amount of DUI Defense cases. Mr. Byrd has been practicing criminal law for nearly 22 years and is Board Certified by the Florida Bar as a Criminal Trial Attorney, the highest level of recognition given by the Florida Bar. Mr. Byrd is recognized by his peers as a “Super Lawyer” and is listed in Best Attorneys in America. Mr. Byrd has well over 50 jury trials, and approximately half of those trials were defending clients charged with DUI. Mr. Byrd’s trial experience in the area of DUI law is invaluable and provides Mr. Byrd with a wealth of knowledge when it comes to defending DUIs, and evaluating what is the best strategy for your DUI case.
Mr. Solnoki has been practicing criminal law for approximately 15 years, and a large portion of Mr. Solnoki’s criminal law practice is devoted to DUI defense. In December of 2009, Mr. Solnoki became one of the first attorneys in the Sarasota and Manatee County area to receive a Certificate of Achievement for completing the Breath Test Operator Course, which is required of all Licensed Breath Test Operators in the State of Florida. Mr. Solnoki attended the Breath Test Operator Course with Law Enforcement Officers from around the state. This training and achievement have offered Mr. Solnoki and his clients’ detailed insight and knowledge when dealing with breath tests in DUI cases.
Things you need to know immediately upon your arrest…
About your driver’s license: If you are arrested for DUI and your license is taken by law enforcement upon your arrest, you are able to drive for 10 days if your license was valid prior to your arrest. However, as your attorney, we can file for a Formal Review Hearing with the Department of Highway 
Safety and Motor Vehicles (DHSMV) within the first 10 days from the date of your arrest. By requesting a Formal Review Hearing with the DHSMV, you will be entitled to a 42-day business purpose only license effective the 11th day following your arrest, assuming your license was valid prior to the arrest. Please contact The Byrd Law Firm immediately after your arrest to discuss this issue and your case.
About your court dates: If you hire The Byrd Law Firm, we will make sure the proper pleadings are filed, and you will not be required to attend your arraignment date, the Formal Review Hearing at the DHSMV, and potentially many more pre-trial court dates, which can often pose a real conflict with employment, dropping off and picking up children at school, doctor’s appointments, etc. As your attorney, we will cover these court dates, and advocate for your rights on your behalf.
DUI Information in Sarasota Florida
Some Issues we will explore when discussing your case will be:
- Why were you stopped? Did the officer have probable cause to stop you? Answer: If not, all evidence against you can be thrown out by the Judge.
- Did the officer have probable cause to ask you to perform Field Sobriety Exercises? Answer: If not, evidence of your performance on these exercises can be thrown out by the judge.
- Were the Field Sobriety Exercises videotaped by the officer?
- Did the officer have probable cause to arrest you for DUI?
- Did you submit to a breath test?
- What were the results of the breath test, and are they reliable?
- Did you refuse to submit to a breath test? If so, why?
- Did the officer read you the Implied Consent Law, advising you that your license would be suspended for at least one year if you refused the breath test?
The Byrd Law Firm provides Videos on DUI Defense. Please visit the following Videos
What Happens To Your License When You Get A DUI? from Derek Byrd, Byrd Law Firm Sarasota Florida
Or visit The Byrd Law Firms Video Library