Protecting Your Privilege to Drive after a Pasco DUI

PROTECTING YOUR PRVILEGE TO DRIVE AFTER A PASCO COUNTY DUI

If you or a loved one was recently arrested for a DUI in New Port Richey, Trinity or the surrounding areas of Pasco County, you may be wondering if you are allowed to drive. In this article, the Top DUI Defense Lawyer in Pasco County discussed your rights and proactive steps that our office can take to keep you on the road.

The Administrative Suspension

Many clients question why their license would be suspended if the criminal case is still pending. Afterall, the client enjoys “the presumption of innocence.” The answer lies in Florida Statute 322.2615. This statute imposes an immediate suspension after arrest if a subject provides a breath or blood result that exceeds .08, or if he or she refuses to submit to breath, urine or blood testing. The duration of the suspension varies based upon the facts of the case and prior record but can range from six months to eighteen months.

The “10-day” Rule

You may have read online about the 10-day rule. If you held a valid driver’s license at the time of your arrest, the citation you received for DUI should act as your full license to drive for ten (10) calendar days from the date on the citation. During your free initial consultation with the Top Rated New Port Richey DUI Attorney, we will review the citation to ensure that the law enforcement officer filled out the citation correctly such that you can use it to drive. This ten-day period gives our clients a “grace period” to take action to protect their privilege to drive.

Option for a First Offender

If this arrest is the first and only time in your lifetime that you have been arrested for a DUI in this or any other state, you are likely eligible to immediately apply for a hardship license. This license will permit you to drive for work, school, church, medical appointments, on the job driving, and driving necessary to maintain your livelihood. Our highly experienced Pasco DUI attorney will guide you through the process and help cut the red tape.

Protecting your privilege to Drive Even if it is Not Your First Offense

Even if it is not your first offense, our Pasco DUI Defense team can file documents with the DHSMV to challenge the suspension of your license. By timely doing so, our office can likely secure a temporary driver’s permit which will permit you to continue driving for up to six weeks as we work to challenge the administrative suspension.

Time is of the Essence

Regardless of whether this is your first offense or if you have a prior DUI arrest, time is of the essence to protect your driver’s license. Our skilled Pasco DUI Defense Attorneys only have ten days to either submit paperwork to the DMV to apply for a hardship license, or to challenge the administrative suspension. Whether your DUI occurred in Holiday, New Port Richey, Port Richey, Hudson, Trinity, Dade City, or anywhere else in Pasco County, contact our office today at 727-288-0477 for a free consultation! Christopher Blaine is a Combat Veteran still fighting to protect you and your privilege to drive.