Florida enforces some of the harshest driving under the influence (DUI) laws in the nation. While convicted offenders are penalized with harsh fines, terms of imprisonment, probation and mandatory classes, Florida law also creates enhanced penalties for cases that involve aggravating circumstances. Among the several circumstances that can subject defendants to harsher criminal penalties, DUIs that involve accidents are among the most serious.
If you or a loved one has recently been arrested and charged with a DUI during which an accident was involved, retaining experienced and aggressive legal representation should be your top priority. Depending on the circumstances involved in your case and the nature of the accident, you may face enhanced and extremely harsh penalties. If you have also been convicted of a prior DUI, the stakes become even higher. DUI accidents may also pose additional legal difficulties, including the following:
DUI Accident Resulting in Injury
DUIs that result in injuries nearly always result in more severe charges.
Additionally, accidents that involve "serious bodily injury"
also pose harsher consequences. As defined in the Florida Statutes, serious
bodily injury means an injury to any person, including the driver, which
consists of a physical condition that creates a substantial risk of death,
serious personal disfigurement, or protracted loss or impairment of any
body part or organ.
DUI Accident Resulting in Death
DUIs accidents that cause the death of another person are the most serious
DUI allegations you can face. Known as DUI manslaughter, these crimes
are felony offenses that pose life-altering penalties and prison terms
of up to 15 years. There is also mandatory lifetime driver's license
revocation. If you, or someone you know, faces a DUI manslaughter charge,
legal representation is vital.
There is no doubt that the United States has taken great strides in changing the way we view, prosecute and punish those who drive under the influence. As accidents are the most aggravating circumstances, and the ultimate reason why harsh DUI laws were created, you can expect aggressive prosecution and little leniency when facing these charges. If there is an injury or death involved in your DUI accident, you need to retain the proven assistance of a West Palm Beach criminal defense lawyer as soon as possible to reduce your risk of suffering the maximum consequences.
Searching for a lawyer for DUI in West Palm Beach? The Law Offices of Richard Tendler is here to protect the rights of those who stand accused of driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol. Having handled many of these cases for numerous clients throughout the years, we are prepared to address the additional complications DUI accidents and injuries may create. We strongly advise anyone who has been charged with a DUI involving an accident to contact a DUI lawyer as soon as possible so that you can begin defending against these charges.
