Reader’s Question:
My son was charged with DUI here in Palm Beach County, Florida. A lot of people are advising him to just plead guilty and he is very much considering it. He hasn’t talked to his DUI lawyer about it. Just in case, he pleads guilty, what are the things that he should remember if he will be under probation?
Lana
Palm Beach, FL
If your son is considering on pleading guilty on his DUI charge in Palm Beach County, Florida, he should arrive in court early. There are several documents that his Florida DUI lawyer needs to go over with him. One is the waiver of rights form that essentially says that he does not wish to go to trial and that he is taking a plea. By taking the plea, he gives up his right to testify, his right to have the state prove his guilt beyond a reasonable doubt, his right to cross-examine witnesses, his right to have a jury hear the case. Your son and his DUI lawyer will sign this document.
The other document would be the “plea in the county court”. This document contains the information that your son is pleading guilty to DUI and perhaps other charges. It would also be in the “plea sheet” if a charge is being dismissed. The “plea sheet” also contains his special conditions of probation such as how many months he will be on probation (usually 12 maybe with early termination after 6, if a first time offender), the fines and court costs ($250 fines), the DUI school, the victim impact panel, community service hours (usually 50 on a first DUI conviction), vehicle immobilization (10 days on a first DUI conviction). The state of Florida would also include a provision that you not drink nor possess alcohol while on probation. Your son and his DUI lawyer will sign this document, so will the assistant state attorney and the judge. The judge would also sign an immobilization order on that day.
The court would go over the information and place your son on probation. He would immediately meet with a probation officer either in court or up on the 9th floor of the Palm Beach County Courthouse.