HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY DUI DEFENSE LAWYER
Aggressively Fighting for the Best Possible Outcome
Arrested for DUI in Hillsborough County? Buda Law Can Help
A Hillsborough County DUI Defense Lawyer can make the difference between protecting your future and living with the fallout of a drunk driving conviction. One arrest can lead to a suspended license, a permanent criminal record, and months of stress, but you don’t have to go through it alone. Buda Law represents people in Hillsborough County, FL, facing DUI charges that can threaten their license, job, and future.
We build aggressive DUI defense strategies focused on minimizing penalties and keeping your future on track. Founding attorney Andrew Buda is a former prosecutor who understands how the state attorney’s office prepares DUI cases and how to take them apart. Our criminal defense attorneys represent clients arrested in Hillsborough County, Pinellas County, and beyond.
When you work with Buda Law, you get more than legal advice. You’re getting an aggressive DUI defense team that treats your case like it’s the only one. We’ve helped drivers throughout the region fight against DUI arrests and are ready to help you take control of yours.
If your breath or blood alcohol content was allegedly over the legal limit, it’s still possible to challenge the evidence. Call (813) 322-2832 for a free consultation with a dedicated DUI lawyer who knows the courtrooms and prosecutors in Hillsborough County, FL.
How Florida DUI Laws Work: Understanding the Basics
Under Florida Statute § 316.193, a person commits DUI by driving or being in actual physical control of a vehicle with a blood alcohol level or breath alcohol level of 0.08 or higher or while impaired enough to affect normal faculties. Florida recognizes impairment from alcohol intoxication, prescription medications, or controlled substances.
The legal limit for adult drivers is 0.08. For commercial drivers, the limit drops to 0.04. Drivers under 21 fall under a zero‑tolerance policy and can face DUI charges at 0.02 BAL statewide in Tampa, Hillsborough County, FL, and beyond.
A DUI arrest in Florida triggers two different cases:
- An administrative suspension by the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles. Drivers have only 10 days to request a formal review hearing to avoid an automatic suspended license; otherwise, it goes into effect on day 11.
- A criminal case prosecuted by the state attorney’s office, which must prove beyond a reasonable doubt that your BAL exceeded the legal limit or that alcohol intoxication impaired your ability to drive.
Andrew Buda knows how the legal system works in Hillsborough County. As an experienced Tampa DUI lawyer and former prosecutor, he understands the prosecutorial approach and fights to challenge unreliable evidence and prevent a DUI conviction.
What to Expect After a DUI Arrest in Hillsborough County
A DUI arrest in Hillsborough County starts with a stop by a law enforcement officer who suspects alcohol intoxication. If arrested, you’ll be booked into jail, then released on bond or held pending arraignment. Within ten days, the Florida DMV can suspend your license unless you request a formal review hearing and apply for an immediate hardship license. At the same time, the state attorney’s office begins filing DUI charges and preparing formal criminal charges based on the police reports and DUI citation.
Court dates follow quickly; missing one can damage your defense and driving record. Each DUI case carries strict deadlines, which is why it’s critical to speak with an experienced attorney immediately.
A Tampa DUI lawyer from Buda Law handles both the administrative process and criminal defense strategy. We fight to protect your license, your record, and your future. Call now for a free consultation in Tampa, FL,/Hillsborough County.
Why You Need an Experienced DUI Lawyer in Hillsborough County, FL
Florida imposes harsh penalties for DUI convictions, even first offenses. You could face jail time, steep fines, license suspension, probation, an ignition interlock device, and mandatory DUI school. A second or third conviction leads to even tougher consequences. These penalties affect more than your record, they impact your future and legal options moving forward.
Trying to handle DUI charges without an experienced DUI attorney puts you at serious risk. Court procedures are strict, and prosecutors move fast. One missed deadline or incorrect filing can cost you your driving privileges or increase the chance of a DUI conviction.
We start building your DUI defense immediately when you call Buda Law. We review the arrest, request police reports, analyze breath test data, and file motions that protect your rights. An experienced lawyer can deliver an aggressive defense tailored to your situation and challenge the state’s evidence.
DUI Convictions in Florida: Potential Penalties and Consequences
A DUI conviction in Florida carries lasting consequences, both in and out of court. Whether it’s your first offense or a repeat, these penalties can follow you for years. Prosecutors in Tampa, FL/Hillsborough County treat DUI charges as serious criminal offenses, and courts have little tolerance for mistakes.
Potential DUI penalties include:
- Jail time or probation
- Steep fines and court costs
- License suspension or revocation
- Mandatory DUI school and treatment programs
- Installation of an ignition interlock device
- Higher insurance premiums
- A permanent criminal record
Completing DUI school is often required before you can apply to reinstate your license. The offense cannot be sealed or expunged from your record if you’re convicted. These consequences can impact employment, professional licensing, and your future.
Facing a DUI conviction in Hillsborough County calls for immediate action from a DUI defense attorney who understands what’s at stake. We work to reduce license suspensions, challenge ignition interlock requirements, and fight to keep excessive fines off the table.
Hillsborough County DUI Lawyer Fighting All Types of Charges
Our firm represents clients facing every type of DUI charge in Hillsborough County. Whether it’s your first arrest or a felony-level offense, we know how to structure a defense that fits your case and reduces long-term damage.
First-Time DUI
Many first-time DUI charges result from routine traffic stops, but that doesn’t mean they’re minor. A DUI conviction can lead to jail, license suspension, fines, and a permanent criminal record. An experienced first-time DUI lawyer will work to resolve these cases without formal convictions, seeking dismissal, diversion, community service, or reduced charges whenever possible.
Repeat DUI Offenses
With a second or third DUI, the stakes increase sharply. You face longer jail time, steeper fines, multi-year license suspensions, and mandatory dreaded ignition interlock device installation. Our criminal defense lawyers fight to expose weak evidence and procedural errors to protect repeat offenders from unnecessary convictions.
Underage DUI
Florida has a strict zero-tolerance policy for drivers under 21 with a blood alcohol level of 0.02 or more. These cases often begin with a DUI citation issued during a routine stop and involve students, first-time offenders, or young adults with no prior criminal record. At Buda Law, a Tampa underage DUI lawyer explains each step of the legal process and focuses on protecting the client’s future from lasting consequences.
CDL/Commercial Driver DUI
A DUI can cost a commercial driver their livelihood. CDL holders are held to higher standards, and a single DUI arrest can result in disqualification, even without a conviction. We represent clients in the Tampa Bay area whose jobs and commercial driving privileges are on the line.
Felony DUI
DUI becomes a felony in Florida when the offense involves serious injury, death, or multiple prior convictions, such as DUI manslaughter. These cases require an experienced DUI attorney who understands the legal risks and the pressure prosecutors apply. Our firm takes felony DUI cases seriously and builds strong defenses that challenge the facts and timing of the arrest.
Boating Under the Influence in Florida (BUI)
BUI charges in Tampa carry penalties similar to DUI and are prosecuted just as aggressively. Law enforcement officers patrol Tampa’s waterways and arrest boaters under the influence of alcohol or drugs. We represent clients charged with BUI and use the same legal strategies that apply to drunk and drugged driving cases on the road.
Defense Strategies From a Hillsborough County DUI Trial Lawyer
Buda Law approaches every DUI case in Hillsborough County with the expectation that it may go to trial. That mindset allows us to build a solid defense from day one. We begin by examining the conduct of the law enforcement officer who initiated the stop. If the arresting officer lacked probable cause, we file motions to suppress the evidence and challenge the legality of the stop itself.
We also scrutinize the administration of field sobriety tests and the reliability of any breath or blood alcohol level results. A miscalibrated device, improper handling, or medical condition can call the results into question. These details can mean the difference between a DUI conviction and a reduced or dismissed charge.
Our criminal defense approach is both strategic and aggressive. Your attorney fights back against assumptions made by police and prosecutors, identifies procedural missteps, and pursues every legal opportunity to weaken the state’s case. Your DUI lawyer in Tampa prepares every case for strong negotiations and trial, giving you the best chance at a favorable outcome.
How to Challenge a Hillsborough County DUI Charge
DUI charges in Hillsborough County can be challenged from multiple angles, especially when law enforcement makes procedural or technical mistakes. Our criminal defense lawyers examine every detail of your arrest to find leverage points the prosecution would rather you miss.
- FAULTY BREATH ALCOHOL LEVEL READINGS
Breathalyzer results are not always accurate. A miscalibrated device, residual mouth alcohol, or improper administration can lead to inflated breath alcohol level readings. We review all calibration logs and challenge the science behind the results.
- INACCURATE OR INCOMPLETE POLICE REPORTS
Police reports often leave out key context or contain inconsistencies. We compare officer statements with body cam footage and cross-check details to identify errors that could lead to suppressed evidence or reduced charges.
- SIGNS OF ALCOHOL INTOXICATION THAT MAY HAVE OTHER EXPLANATIONS
Slurred speech, bloodshot eyes, and unsteady balance don’t always point to alcohol intoxication. Medical issues, fatigue, or environmental conditions may have played a role, and we bring in the evidence to prove it.
- UNLAWFUL TRAFFIC STOPS OR VIOLATIONS OF RIGHTS
If the arresting officer lacked probable cause or conducted an illegal search, we file motions to exclude unlawfully obtained evidence. Constitutional violations can severely weaken the case against you.
- UNRELIABLE FIELD SOBRIETY TESTS
Field tests are subjective and easily influenced by nerves, lighting, weather, or uneven pavement. We scrutinize how these tests were conducted and whether they meet Florida’s legal standards.
Arrested for DUI While Visiting Tampa or on Vacation in Florida?
If you’re facing DUI charges while visiting Tampa, the legal consequences are no different than for a Florida resident. Your DUI arrest in Hillsborough County triggers a formal court process, and ignoring it can lead to a warrant.
Our DUI lawyer offers remote representation to help out-of-state clients handle their DUI case without repeated travel. We manage court filings and communication with the state attorney’s office to simplify your experience.
A DUI conviction in Florida may impact your license and insurance back home, as most states share records. The experienced Buda Law criminal defense attorneys provide strong criminal defense for tourists charged with drunk and drugged driving offenses in Hillsborough County, FL.
Why Trust the Criminal Defense Attorneys at Buda Law for Your Florida DUI Case?
At Buda Law, your DUI case is led by an experienced attorney who served in the state attorney’s office and understands how prosecutors operate. Andrew Buda is a former Florida prosecutor with years of criminal trial experience in Hillsborough County.
He is a member of the Florida Bar, the Hillsborough County Bar Association, and the United States District Court for the Middle District of Florida. Our Tampa criminal defense attorneys use this local insight to build aggressive DUI defense strategies that fit your case, not generic tactics.
FAQs & Answers From a Hillsborough County DUI Attorney
Jail time is possible, but many first-time DUI cases are resolved with probation or diversion programs.
Yes, but doing so leads to an automatic license suspension and may be used against you in court.
Your license will be suspended for one year, and the refusal may be used as evidence of guilt.
Most cases take between 3 and 6 months, depending on court scheduling and whether the case goes to trial.
A DUI conviction remains on your record permanently and cannot be expunged from your criminal history record.
Contact Our Hillsborough County DUI Law Firm for a Free Consultation Today
Time matters after a DUI arrest. The sooner you speak with an aggressive DUI defense lawyer, the stronger your defense can be. Buda Law offers confidential consultations and flexible scheduling to protect your rights from the very start.
Led by former state prosecutor Andrew Buda, we represent clients throughout Hillsborough County, Pinellas County, and beyond. In addition to DUI cases, we handle reckless driving, personal injury claims, drug crimes, violent crimes, theft crimes, probation violations, and other criminal offense charges.
We understand how quickly a case can escalate, and we act fast to protect your license, record, and future. Call (813) 322-2832 or use our secure online contact form to schedule your free consultation today.