I don’t want to make another mistake after being caught for DUI here in Palm Beach so I want to hire an attorney to defend me. Problem is, how would I select a DUI attorney among the available ones who could help me?

Eric

Palm Beach, FL

Certain DUI cases can just be resolved by having a plea bargain and you won’t need an attorney for it but that could end up having more jail time than if you have chosen to hire a DUI attorney.

When selecting a DUI attorney in Palm Beach, it is highly suggested that you hire one who is experienced in defending DUI cases. That attorney should also be one that offers free consultations in order for you to ask the right questions before hiring them. A lot of very good DUI attorneys may not offer free consultations but you can still be able to find ones that do. There are also DUI lawyers that have Websites in which you can learn more about their practice. Before you hire a lawyer to defend you, you must know first you would be contacted regularly about the status of your DUI case. Also, you need to make sure whether that lawyer you talked to will be the one who would handle your case or one of his/her associates. Feel free to ask the lawyer as well as to what the estimate cost of total fees would be.

Keep in mind that the one you choose to defend you on your DUI case can spell all the difference and can help you avoid jail time or pay very high fines. A good DUI attorney would push you to be involved in an AA program so that you can show the courts that you have been transformed. It is also very important that you trust your DUI lawyer and have confidence in him/her and at ease working together.

I know someone who had been charged with DUI offense. If proven guilty what DUI penalty would he get here in Palm Beach, Florida? Does a DUI offense have serious punishments? I’m totally clueless about DUI stuff I’m hoping someone can help me. Also, can you tell me how to get cheap DUI insurance?

Georgina

Palm Beach, FL

I’m hoping that you’re not the one who needs to get cheap DUI insurance. Well, as to your question, DUI penalties in Palm Beach, Florida are as follows:

• Fine of $250 to not more than $500;
• Jail time of six months, this may change to nine months if a minor is present at the vehicle at the time of the incident, or the BAC is .20 or higher;
• Vehicle may be impounded for 10 days provided that the family has other means of transportation;
• Operating privileges suspension for 6 months;
• Either community service for 50 hours or opt to pay $10/ hour for community service supposed to be rendered;
• Completion of a DUI program;

Those are pretty serious DUI penalty right? So don’t you even think about getting drunk and hitting the road. As to your second question on how to get cheap DUI insurance, it would be quite a challenge to get one. It’s a fact that DUI insurance rates are astronomical. But you can still get affordable DUI insurance. Here’s how:

• Shop around for DUI insurance, never be contented in getting just the first DUI insurance quote that you got.
• If you are a student, getting good grades could probably give you good student discount.
• Cut on your driving miles to possible get a discount for low driving miles.
• Installing safety devices on your car could also give you affordable DUI insurance
• Improve your driving record and as much as possible maintain a good driving record.

For more information about DUI penalty and DUI insurance, you can also ask your auto insurance agent.

I got a DUI here in Palm Beach, Florida and everyone is telling me that I should hire a lawyer. Do I really have to hire a lawyer to help me in my DUI case?

Dave

Palm Beach, FL

Yes, you have to hire a DUI lawyer as soon as you can after you have been charged with DUI in Palm Beach, Florida. If you don’t have your own DUI lawyer, you are very likely to be lost in the foggy maze of Florida’s drunk driving laws, which change every month or so. You badly need a DUI lawyer to watch out for time limits, negotiate for you, speak for you when necessary, complete and file all the paperwork correctly on time and generally fight for your best interests. An experienced DUI lawyer knows how to challenge the DUI stop, field sobriety tests, breath and/or blood alcohol tests and the DUI arrest or when you were already in custody.

A DUI charge in Florida could even cause you to lose your driving privileges and you would also have to pay higher insurance premium rates and it could also often lead to jail time, loss of your job and expenses and inconvenience. Sad to say, it could even give you a criminal record so hiring a DUI lawyer to help you and represent you would not be a bad idea.