DUI Arrests on the Rise in Florida

Florida law enforcement officers have made more DUI arrests so far in 2014 than they have in past years. According to Click Orlando, in Orange County, police officers have arrested 668 people suspected of driving under the influence, compared to 641 arrests for the same period in 2013. This represents an increase of about four percent.

Police officers credit part of the increase in arrests to targeting areas where there is greater traffic and higher incidence of drunk driving, including in the east side of Orange County near the University of Central Florida. By patrolling areas where college students are known to frequent, officers are able to pull over many young adults who drive after imbibing.

Driving under the influence is a serious offense in Florida and comes with a number of consequences, including jail time, fines and license suspension. DUI convictions depend on the age and status of the driver. For instance, drivers under 21, the legal drinking age for adults, need only have a BAC of .02 percent to be convicted of DUI. Those over 21 years have a BAC limit of .08 percent. For commercial drivers, the limits are stricter, with a BAC of .04 percent resulting in a DUI arrest.

A person arrested for a first offense DUI can be incarcerated for six to nine months, as well as charged a fine of $500 to $2,000. When someone is convicted of DUI the first time, he or she can lose his or her driving license for at least 180 days and up to one year. These punishments increase significantly for each additional offense, and drivers with multiple DUIs risk permanent loss of their driving privileges.

Getting arrested for suspicion of DUI can be a frightening and overwhelming experience. However, not every arrest results in a conviction. Speak with an experienced Orlando DUI defense attorney at the Law Offices of Salazar & Kelly for the guidance you need.