Winter Garden DUI Lawyer

Winter Garden DUI Lawyer

Driving under the influence in Winter Garden is a serious infraction, even if it’s your first offense. This is usually the first run-in with the law for many people, and its mark on your life can be potentially dreadful and irreparable. The steps you take after you’ve been arrested for DUI in Winter Garden can mean the difference between jail time, thousands in fines, or hours of community service.

So you must familiarize yourself with the legal process and the right steps to take. It also helps to reach out to a reliable Winter Garden DUI attorney for representation and comprehensive guidance.

Attorney Mike Panella from Panella Law Firm is here for you. The reputable Winter Garden criminal defense lawyer can evaluate your case and find the best DUI defense strategy to hasten the process and minimize the repercussions of the case. This way, you can quickly move on with your life.

What Happens After a DUI Arrest in Winter Garden?

A DUI arrest can lead to fines, license plate impoundment, license revocation, vehicle forfeiture, or jail time. You can avoid these penalties if you understand your rights and what happens during and after you’ve been pulled over.

Here’s what you should expect after the arrest:

1. A chemical test – Owning a driver’s license gives implied consent to accept a chemical test during a DUI arrest. The officer will book you and then request you to take a test to determine body alcohol content. You can decline, but this can worsen the possible penalties.
2. Invoking your Fifth Amendment Rights – You’ll be advised of your right to refrain from talking or responding to the officer. You’d be wise to remain silent, as the court may later use whatever you say against you.
3. Arraignment – After being arrested, you’ll be scheduled for an arraignment where the judge will read your formal charges. You’ll plead not guilty or guilty. At this point, you’ll need a reputable Winter Garden DUI attorney to fight for you.
4. A refusal hearing – If you decline a chemical test, your license will be temporarily suspended, then you must attend a hearing that determines the fate of your driving privileges. It isn’t a criminal trial, and you can lose your license even if you’re innocent.

The Problems with Probable Cause

Most people don’t know that anyone can be easily charged with driving under the influence. Anyone can experience this, even when you’re sober. If you don’t know your rights, law enforcement can take advantage of you.

The laws in Florida require officers to have probable cause before arresting you for DUI. In essence, this is a series of circumstances that can cause an officer to reasonably believe that you’ve committed or are committing a crime. In a suspected DUI case, there must be behavior indicating impairment, such as ignoring traffic laws, swerving, or driving the wrong way.

Other examples of probable cause include:

• Breathalyzer result reading 0.08% or over
• Your admission of driving while intoxicated
• Signs of being drunk, like slurred speech, alcohol smell, or stumbling.

Many unsuspecting drivers hand over probable cause without realizing that the officer is coercing them into acknowledging fault. If there’s probable cause, they can arrest you and send you to jail, even if they’ve not conclusively established that you’ve been driving while intoxicated.

But the probable cause isn’t always so apparent, because the constitution protects you against unreasonable arrest and seizure; the officer requires more than just a hunch to avoid violating your civil rights. Therefore, speak with your Winter Garden DUI lawyer to learn more about probable cause and the possible defenses.

What Are the Possible Defenses for DUI?

In this case, the best defense arguments include:

• You weren’t drunk or intoxicated.
• You weren’t controlling the vehicle.
• The officer lacked probable cause.
• You were stopped at an unauthorized checkpoint.
• The testing procedures and apparatus were faulty or inaccurate.
• Rising blood alcohol because you drank a few moments before the arrest.
• Your mouth alcohol altered the results.
• You didn’t get the proper Miranda Warning.

These defenses can give you an edge in your DUI case, but your success will depend on how you provide your arguments and the faults of the prosecution team. You can’t do it alone. So make sure you involve an experienced lawyer in your case.

How Can a Winter Garden Attorney Help?

As you’ve already realized, a lot comes into a DUI case, and several factors can work against you. You cannot afford to fight alone.  A DUI attorney in Winter Garden, FL, will help your case in the following ways:

They’ll Pursue the Best Course of Action

DUI attorneys have handled numerous past cases, so they can understand your situation thoroughly to determine the possible penalties and practical DUI defense strategies to minimize them. They’ll use the insights to guide you on the best course of action.

They Can Recover Your License

Multiple DUI offenses can have your license suspended or revoked. But your attorney can lessen the charges and support your case to get your license back.

They Can Fight for A Reduced Sentence

A reliable DUI defense lawyer in Winter Garden, FL, understands the current standards, precedents, laws, and regulations related to DUI and DWI cases. They can build a solid defense to facilitate a lighter sentence or even charge dismissal.

A DUI Lawyer Will Save You Cash and Time

Your DUI attorney can use their experience to identify the evidence to defend you, find effective ways of navigating the court system, and dismiss your case. Moreover, involving an attorney in your case means you’ll spend less time attending court sessions. In the long run, you’ll save money and time in a courtroom.

Possible Case Dismissal

A knowledgeable attorney can dedicate their efforts and use their experience to defend you and win your case. They also have a solid relationship with the prosecution team and can use this to fight for a dismissal. Involving them can significantly increase your chances of success.

Peace of Mind

You’ll definitely feel at ease and confident knowing that a seasoned attorney is handling your case. A DUI case can be highly stressful, and the peace of mind you’ll get from your attorney will be worth every penny.

They can Erase the Record

DUI cases vary, as do their results. Some make it to full trial, others involve first-time offenses, while some end up with the defendant’s license suspension or revocation. Depending on your circumstances, hiring an experienced trial lawyer can ease the results and may be able to get your DUI record erased.

Why Choose Panella Law Firm?

Many law firms in Winter Garden promise the best representation and favorable results for your DUI case, but not all of them are up to the task. You can count on Panella Law Firm to fight for your rights and freedom.

The aggressive criminal defense firm is run by Attorney Michael Panella, a fierce advocate for citizens who’ve suffered at the hands of the legal system. We boast a reputation for skilled defense in the Winter Garden area, as evident in our remarkable case results and client testimonials.

How Can We Help Your Case?

When looking for a Winter Garden defense attorney, you want an advocate who is passionate about helping their clients meet their goals. You also need a lawyer with a track record demonstrating professionalism and courtroom success.

DUI attorney Panella understands that time is of the essence. He’ll investigate your case in detail, create the best defense, and fight aggressively for reduced penalties or even dropped charges. Mr. Panella also handles DUI cases in Orlando and other parts of Florida.

Have any questions? Reach out to Panella Law Firm today by calling 407-233-1822 or schedule a consultation online.