DUI

DUI Penalties

DUI Attorney in Fort Lauderdale

Let Our Knowledgeable Team Handle This For You

Contact A. Randall Haas today if you are facing a drunk driving, implied consent, or felony DUI charge. From suppressing evidence against you to assisting with work permits or restrictive licenses if your license has been suspended, our Fort Lauderdale DUI defense attorney has the experience necessary to successfully navigate through all phases of DUI defense in Florida.

Under Florida Statute 316.193, a person can be charged with DUI if they are driving or in actual physical control of a vehicle while impaired by alcohol or drugs, or with a blood alcohol concentration (BAC) of 0.08% or higher. Even a first-offense DUI charge can lead to serious consequences, including the automatic suspension of your driver’s license, fines, probation, and possible jail time.

In Broward County, DUI cases are aggressively prosecuted, and law enforcement agencies throughout Fort Lauderdale frequently conduct DUI checkpoints and targeted patrols. This makes it critical to have an experienced local defense attorney who understands both Florida law and the local court system.

Schedule your consultation with an experienced Fort Lauderdale DUI attorney today. Contact us at 954-763-9211.

Protect your rights

There Are Many Possible Defense Strategies

At The Law Office of A. Randall Haas, we utilize a wide range of proven defense strategies to challenge DUI charges and protect your rights. Every case is unique, and the right strategy depends on the facts, evidence, and circumstances surrounding your arrest.

Our DUI defense strategies may include:

  • Challenging the legality of the traffic stop: Law enforcement must have reasonable suspicion to stop your vehicle. If the stop was unlawful, any evidence gathered may be suppressed.
  • Attacking breathalyzer or BAC test results: Breath and blood tests are not always reliable. Improper calibration, maintenance issues, or operator error can lead to inaccurate readings.
  • Questioning field sobriety tests: These tests are subjective and can be influenced by weather conditions, physical limitations, or improper administration.
  • Examining police procedure: If officers failed to follow proper protocol during your arrest, your case may be weakened.
  • Challenging probable cause for arrest: Without sufficient evidence of impairment, the arrest itself may be invalid.
  • Negotiating reduced charges: In some cases, charges can be reduced to reckless driving or careless driving, minimizing long-term consequences.

Attorney Randall Haas has handled countless DUI cases in Fort Lauderdale and throughout South Florida. With nearly 40 years of experience, he understands how to identify weaknesses in the prosecution’s case and leverage them to your advantage.

Charged with a DUI in Fort Lauderdale?

Understanding DUI Penalties in Florida

DUI penalties in Florida vary depending on prior offenses, BAC level, and whether any aggravating factors are present.

Potential penalties may include:

  • Driver’s license suspension
  • Fines and court costs
  • Probation
  • Mandatory DUI school
  • Community service
  • Installation of an ignition interlock device
  • Jail or prison time

For example, a first-time DUI conviction may result in fines up to $1,000 and up to 6 months in jail, while repeat offenses or cases involving injury can lead to felony charges with significantly harsher penalties.

In Broward County courts, judges often take DUI offenses seriously, especially when public safety is involved. Having an experienced defense attorney who knows how local courts operate can make a significant difference in the outcome of your case.

Defending Your Right to Drive

One of the most immediate consequences of a DUI arrest in Florida is the suspension of your driver’s license. You only have 10 days from the date of your arrest to request a formal review hearing with the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles (DHSMV).

This administrative hearing is separate from your criminal case and focuses solely on your driving privileges.

If you do not act quickly, you may lose your ability to drive for months or even years.

Attorney A. Randall Haas can represent you in these administrative DUI hearings and help you:

  • Challenge the license suspension
  • Obtain a hardship or restricted license
  • Continue driving for work or essential needs

Even if you refused breath testing, which can result in a one-year suspension under Florida’s implied consent laws, there may still be legal options available to you.

Felony DUI and Aggravated DUI Charges

Some DUI cases involve more serious allegations that can result in felony charges. These include:

  • Multiple DUI convictions
  • DUI causing serious bodily injury
  • DUI manslaughter
  • DUI involving property damage or hit-and-run
  • Driving with a suspended license due to prior DUI

Felony DUI charges carry severe penalties, including lengthy prison sentences, permanent criminal records, and long-term license revocation.

Attorney Haas has extensive experience defending clients facing felony DUI charges in Florida. His background allows him to build strong, strategic defenses even in the most complex cases.

What Happens After a DUI Arrest in Broward County

After a DUI arrest in Fort Lauderdale or Broward County, the legal process typically includes:

  • Arrest and booking
  • License suspension (administrative)
  • Arraignment in court
  • Pre-trial motions and evidence review
  • Negotiations or trial

The prosecution will work aggressively to build a case against you, often relying on police reports, breath test results, and officer testimony. However, these elements are not always as strong as they appear.

Having a defense attorney who understands the Broward County court system, local prosecutors, and common law enforcement practices can provide a critical advantage.

Let Us Start Building Your Defense Today

Facing a DUI charge can be overwhelming, but you do not have to go through it alone. The Law Office of A. Randall Haas is committed to protecting your rights, your license, and your future.

With nearly four decades of experience in South Florida courtrooms, Attorney Haas provides aggressive, strategic defense tailored to your specific case.

Whether your goal is to have your charges reduced, dismissed, or to fight the case at trial, we are prepared to stand by your side every step of the way.