ST PETERSBURG DUI LAWYER
Aggressively Fighting for the Best Possible Outcome
ST PETERSBURG, FL DUI DEFENSE
Experienced DUI Attorney Serving St Petersburg & Pinellas County, FL
DUI charges in Pinellas County can lead to license suspension, steep fines, and even jail time. If you’ve been arrested for DUI in St. Petersburg, you need a skilled defense attorney who understands what’s at stake. The criminal justice system moves quickly, and without experienced legal representation, your rights and future may be at risk. At Buda Law, our experienced Florida DUI defense attorneys are here to protect you from the start.
Led by former prosecutor Andrew Buda, our DUI defense law firm in Tampa serves clients throughout Hillsborough County, Pinellas County, and the greater Tampa Bay Area. As a trusted St. Petersburg DUI lawyer, Andrew Buda provides strategic and aggressive representation aimed at achieving his clients’ best possible outcome, whatever that may look like given the situation.
If you’re facing a DUI offense (or other criminal charges) in St. Petersburg, call Buda Law today at (813) 322-2832 or click the link below for a free case evaluation.
Understanding DUI Charges in Florida
While DUIs are perhaps most commonly associated with alcohol consumption, drivers who are under the influence of prescription drugs or illegal substances can also be charged with a DUI. According to Florida Statute Section 316.193, a DUI is defined as driving or operating a motor vehicle while under the influence of alcohol, chemical substances, or controlled substances.
There are multiple means of determining if someone is driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol. Most commonly, one’s blood alcohol level may be tested through a breath test or a blood test. Blood alcohol content (BAC) exceeding the legal limit of 0.08% indicates a level of intoxication that qualifies as drunk driving.
BAC isn’t the only factor considered in DUI cases, however. By merely exhibiting impairment from alcohol or drugs while driving or being physically in control of a motor vehicle, you may be charged with a DUI. In such cases, field sobriety tests may be used to assess impairment. Chemical tests are also sometimes used to prove drug-based impairment.
Under certain circumstances, some drivers may be held to different standards. For example, in cases involving drunk drivers under the age of 21, the legal limit for BAC is much lower. Underage drivers with a blood alcohol level over 0.02% will be considered to be driving under the influence.
Commercial drivers are also held to a higher standard due to the increased potential for catastrophic damage in accidents involving commercial vehicles. Drivers holding a commercial driver’s license (CDL) must adhere to standards set by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA). According to the FMCSA, CDL drivers with a BAC of 0.04% or higher are considered intoxicated and therefore may be charged with a DUI in Florida.
Potential Penalties for a DUI Conviction in St. Petersburg, FL
A DUI conviction in St. Petersburg can lead to harsh penalties, ranging from mandatory educational courses in DUI school to extensive fines and even jail time. The severity of your sentence will depend on a number of different things, such as whether this was your first DUI or a subsequent offense, and whether or not aggravating factors were present. You can expect enhanced penalties in cases involving aggravating factors like:
- An especially high BAC
- DUI with property damage
- DUI with injury or death
- Repeat DUI offenses
Under Florida law, a first DUI conviction may be punishable by up to $1,000 in fines and six months in jail. A second DUI in Florida raises the stakes, with penalties increasing to a max of $2,000, up to nine months in jail, and mandatory ignition interlock device installation for a year. A third DUI offense within 10 years of the last is considered a third-degree felony in Florida. A fourth or additional DUI conviction is also a third-degree felony, regardless of how long ago the last offense occurred. In these cases, defendants may face up to one year in prison, a 2-year ignition interlock period, and fines increased to $5,000.
In addition to these potential penalties, you may also face lengthy license suspension periods, required participation in a DUI program, probation, community service, and vehicle impoundment. These harsh penalties make it all the more important that you hire a skilled St. Petersburg DUI attorney like those at Buda Law to handle your case.
How a St Petersburg DUI Lawyer at Buda Law Can Help Defend Against Your Charges
At Buda Law, we examine every detail to build a strong defense based on the facts of your case. As such, an experienced St. Petersburg DUI defense lawyer on our team can help fight your DUI charges in several ways, including but not limited to:
- CHALLENGING CAUSE FOR THE TRAFFIC STOP
If the officer lacked valid probable cause to pull you over, any evidence collected afterward may be inadmissible in court.
- QUESTIONING THE ACCURACY OF BREATH OR BLOOD TESTS
Errors in testing procedures, improper calibration, or flawed equipment can affect breath alcohol level results.
- HIGHLIGHTING VIOLATIONS OF DUI LAWS AND PROCEDURES
A DUI attorney can identify whether law enforcement failed to follow specific DUI laws or protocols during your arrest or booking.
- RAISING REASONABLE DOUBT
Under Florida law, the prosecution must prove guilt beyond a reasonable doubt to secure a DUI conviction. Your attorney will expose weak or inconsistent evidence that undermines their case.
- ANALYZING FIELD SOBRIETY TEST VALIDITY
Field tests can be unreliable due to medical conditions, poor lighting, or uneven surfaces. These factors can be used to challenge your arrest.
- NEGOTIATING REDUCED CHARGES OR ALTERNATIVE SENTENCING
Depending on your history and case details, your St. Petersburg DUI lawyer may work to reduce the charges or pursue diversion programs.
- IDENTIFYING RIGHTS VIOLATIONS
If your rights were violated during the arrest process, a DUI attorney can move to suppress evidence or dismiss charges.
Pinellas County DUI Cases We Handle
Our attorneys are equipped to handle a wide range of DUI cases in St. Petersburg and throughout Pinellas County, Florida. From first-time charges to repeat offenses, from DUIs involving drugs to those involving serious injury or death, our experienced DUI lawyers at Buda Law can help.
First-Time DUI Offenses
Being arrested for a first offense DUI in Florida may seem like a minor issue, but this misdemeanor offense can lead to serious consequences, including fines, probation, license suspension, and mandatory DUI programs. A first-time DUI attorney at Buda Law can help clients understand their legal rights and build a strong defense aimed at minimizing the impact of a first-time charge. Whether that means challenging the evidence or negotiating for reduced penalties, we work to protect your future from the start.
Repeat DUI Offenses
If you’re facing a second, third, fourth, or subsequent DUI charge in Florida, the penalties increase significantly. A conviction can lead to mandatory jail time, longer driver’s license suspension periods, and required installation of an ignition interlock device for 2 or more years.
As a seasoned DUI lawyer in St. Petersburg, Andrew Buda regularly defends individuals charged with repeat drunk driving offenses. He and his legal team will thoroughly evaluate the details of your case, challenge prior convictions when possible, and work to reduce or dismiss charges to protect your freedom and driving privileges.
Commercial DUI Charge
A driver’s license suspension can be a substantial inconvenience for any driver. Losing driving privileges as a CDL driver, however, is uniquely challenging. More than most, the livelihoods of CDL drivers are tied to their ability to drive. Without a CDL license, they cannot work and cannot earn an income.
Not only that, but commercial drivers have stricter standards for BAC levels. Drivers are generally considered to be driving under the influence when they have a .08% blood alcohol content, but for CDL drivers, the legal limit is 0.04%.
Andrew Buda understands that DUIs can be especially harmful to those holding commercial driver’s licenses. As your CDL DUI attorney, he will take a proactive approach to protect your livelihood.
Boating Under the Influence (BUI)
Reckless driving is a serious concern whether you’re on the road or the water. The Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles holds Pinellas County residents responsible for the operation of all motor vehicles, including boats. As such, boating under the influence (BUI) is a serious crime that holds equally serious consequences.
To mitigate or avoid the negative consequences of BUI, trust an experienced BUI attorney in St. Petersburg like Andrew Buda.
DUI with Serious Bodily Injury
DUI cases involving property damage or minor injury is considered a first-degree misdemeanor in Florida, carrying penalties of up to 12 months in jail, $1,000 in fines, and more. However, if a DUI offense causes serious bodily injury to another person, the charge becomes a third-degree felony, punishable by up to five years in prison, $5,000 in fines, a minimum three-year license suspension, and additional consequences such as probation, restitution, and community service.
DUI Manslaughter
In Florida, DUI accidents that result in the death of another human being or unborn child qualify as manslaughter. DUI manslaughter charges are considered second-degree felonies in Florida, carrying a possible sentence of up to 15 years, along with permanent license revocation, substantial fines, and a lasting felony conviction on your record.
Needless to say, being charged with DUI manslaughter is a dire matter that absolutely necessitates reliable legal representation. An experienced DUI defense lawyer can help you avoid a felony DUI conviction or otherwise mitigate the severity of the penalties you face. As your St. Petersburg DUI manslaughter lawyer, Andrew Buda will use his extensive knowledge, experience, and skill to fight your felony DUI charges. Through strategic defense, carefully negotiated plea bargains, and aggressive advocacy for your rights and future, Andrew works diligently to secure the best possible result for your case.
DUI Involving Drugs
Driving or otherwise having actual physical control of a vehicle while impaired by drugs also counts as a DUI. If you’re pulled over, officers may administer a chemical test or other field sobriety tests to determine if you are impaired by drugs.
If you’ve been charged with a DUI involving drugs, seek reliable legal services from an experienced drug DUI attorney at Buda Law ASAP.
Underage DUI
A DUI under 21 in Florida carries strict consequences, even with a low blood alcohol level. According to the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles, drivers under 21 with a BAC of 0.02% or higher can face immediate license suspension and various other DUI penalties. If convicted, an underage driver will also end up with a criminal record, which can affect education, employment, and future opportunities.
DUI Refusal Cases
While submission to field sobriety tests is not mandated in Florida, refusing breath, blood, or urine tests can and will likely lead to license suspension and being arrested and booked for DUI. However, by refusing tests, you leave prosecutors with less concrete evidence that could be used against you. So while there’s a strong chance you’ll be arrested for refusing a DUI test in Florida, declining may preserve key defenses and give you a better opportunity to challenge the charge later (compared to complying and potentially providing evidence against yourself). This ultimately makes it easier to fight accusations of DUI.
Fighting for Hardship License Eligibility
Losing driving privileges can seriously impact your quality of life. Under certain circumstances, Florida residents can apply for a hardship license, which permits them to drive for essential purposes. A hardship license can allow you to continue driving to work, school, and medical appointments.
Whether you need legal assistance when applying for a hardship license in Pinellas County after a DUI or representation for a formal review hearing regarding your restricted driving privileges, the team at Buda Law can help.
Why Choose Andrew Buda as Your St. Petersburg DUI Lawyer?
When facing DUI charges, you need trusted legal guidance from someone who understands both sides of the courtroom. Andrew Buda, a former prosecutor and assistant attorney with the state attorney’s office, brings that advantage to every case. Now, as a seasoned St. Petersburg DUI defense lawyer, he uses his firsthand knowledge of how prosecutors build DUI cases to uncover weaknesses in the evidence and fight back with a strategic defense.
Andrew has a strong track record of achieving dismissals, reduced charges, and favorable plea deals, and he’s known for giving clients honest advice and consistent communication. He understands the severity of Florida DUI penalties and works tirelessly to protect your future. With extensive experience in both Hillsborough County and Pinellas County courts, Andrew and his team of criminal lawyers in Tampa craft each defense with precision, using the familiarity with local procedures, judges, and prosecutors to position their clients for the best possible outcome, either through negotiation or aggressive courtroom representation.
Take Immediate Action After a DUI Arrest
After a DUI arrest, you must act quickly. You have a limited timeframe to request a DMV hearing. If you do not do so within 10 days of your arrest, your license will be automatically suspended in accordance with administrative suspension laws.
Protect your driving privileges and start building your defense early. Schedule a free consultation with our DUI defense attorneys at Buda Law today!
Call Andrew Buda – An Experienced St. Petersburg DUI Defense Lawyer You Can Trust
After a DUI arrest, early guidance from experienced DUI defense attorneys like ours here at Buda Law can help you avoid missteps that may affect your standing in the criminal justice system. We are happy to offer a free initial consultation to review your situation and explain how Florida law applies to your charges.
Simply call Buda Law at (813) 322-2832 or fill out our online contact form to schedule your free consultation today.
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WHAT MAKES OUR DEFENSE SO EFFECTIVE?
- Former State Prosecutor
- Highly Responsive & Accessible
- Result-Oriented Advocacy
- We Prepare Every Case as if it's Going to Trial
- Personal Representation Centered Around You
- Exceptional Negotiator