First Offense DUI Attorney in Miami

South Florida DUI Attorney Helping with First Time DUI Charges

Florida has some of the toughest first DUI penalties nationwide. For your first DUI, you are facing the following: a mandatory conviction (adjudication), a fine that ranges between $250-$500, 50 hours of community service, six months to one year of probation, a six-month driver's license suspension, and twelve hours of DUI school. Florida law also requires a mandatory ten-day vehicle immobilization in which your car is impounded for ten days at your expense. If you find yourself in this situation, you need the help of our first offense DUI attorney in Miami.

Many people charged with a first DUI in Miami-Dade have never been arrested before, and they often do not understand how quickly deadlines approach for court dates or for protecting their driving privileges with the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles. When we represent you, we can explain how your case will move through the system at the Richard E. Gerstein Justice Building or Miami-Dade County Court, what hearings to expect, and how decisions you make early in the case can affect your record, your license, and your employment opportunities down the road.

If you are facing a first DUI in Miami-Dade, here are some key issues we can help you understand and address:

• Immediate license consequences, such as the administrative suspension that can follow a breath test over the legal limit or a refusal, and the time-sensitive options that may exist to challenge that suspension.
• Possible case outcomes range from dismissals and reduced charges to negotiated pleas, and how factors like your prior record, the strength of the evidence, and Miami-Dade State Attorney policies may influence those possibilities.
• Impact on your future, including how a DUI conviction or reduced charge can affect employment, professional licensing, insurance rates, and background checks if you live or work in the Miami area.
• Steps you can take now, such as completing DUI school early, gathering character references, and documenting treatment or counseling, which may put you in a better position as your case moves through the Miami-Dade court system.

To help protect your rights, call our first offense DUI attorney in Miami at (305) 504-6655 or contact us online today. 

Back on Track Program for DUI Offenders

Miami-Dade County has the Back On Track program for first DUI offenders. Not all first DUI offenders will qualify for Back On Track, but those who qualify will have the opportunity to have their DUI charge reduced to reckless driving at the conclusion of the program. As well, the court will impose a withhold of adjudication, sparing the participant the stigma of having a conviction on their record that cannot be sealed. Broward County does not have such a program. Broward County DUI offenders face the statutory penalties.

When we evaluate your eligibility for Back On Track, we look closely at the specific facts of your arrest, your prior record, and how the State Attorney's Office in Miami-Dade is treating similar cases at that time. We can walk you through what participation in the program involves, how it fits with any separate driver’s license issues, and what it may mean for your future background checks, professional plans, or travel. By explaining each step clearly, our first DUI offense lawyers help you decide whether this program aligns with your goals and whether other options should also be explored.

What First Offense DUI Clients Can Expect With Our First Offense DUI Attorneys in Miami

Many first-time DUI defendants are unsure what will actually happen after an arrest, beyond the penalties listed in the statute. If you are facing a first DUI in Miami-Dade County, you can expect an arraignment, pretrial conferences, and, in some cases, motion hearings or a trial date at the Richard E. Gerstein Justice Building or another local courthouse. Our first DUI offense attorneys in Miami review the arrest report, video, and any breath or blood test results with you so you understand how the State may try to prove its case and what issues we may be able to challenge. Our goal is to give you a realistic picture of the road ahead so you can plan for work, family, and transportation needs.

We also explain how your criminal case interacts with the separate administrative process involving your driver’s license, including any deadlines to request a formal review hearing through the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles. For many people charged with a first DUI, keeping the ability to drive to work or school is just as important as the outcome in court, and we discuss options such as hardship licenses when available. By walking you through these steps in clear language, we help you make informed choices about how to proceed and what questions to ask when you meet with a first offense DUI attorney Miami residents can turn to for guidance.

Assistance from a Former Prosecutor

DUI penalties in Florida are mandated by law and must be imposed by the court upon a finding of guilt, either by a plea or a conviction at trial. Due to the harsh penalties associated with DUI charges, it is crucial that your DUI be handled competently and effectively. For this reason alone, it is crucial you contact our Miami-Dade County DUI attorney at The Law Offices of Eric M. Matheny, P.A. today to discuss your case. Not retaining experienced counsel when facing such serious charges and penalties can be a crucial mistake and wind up costing you financially and in other ways.

As a former prosecutor in Miami-Dade, Attorney Eric M. Matheny understands how the State prepares DUI cases, from the initial arrest reports and breath test results to motions and trial strategy. Our first offense DUI attorneys in Miami use that insight to examine whether the traffic stop was lawful, how field sobriety exercises were conducted, and whether any constitutional issues could affect the admissibility of evidence. This perspective allows us to advise you realistically about the strengths and weaknesses of the case against you and to develop a defense plan that is tailored to your circumstances rather than relying on a generic approach.

Work with The Law Offices of Eric M. Matheny, P.A.

The guidance and action of a DUI lawyer can uncover evidence used to aid in your defense and potentially have all charges dismissed.

When you work with our firm, we take the time to learn about your background, your concerns, and what matters most to you so that our strategy reflects your priorities. We keep you informed about what is happening at each court setting, what documents you may receive from the clerk or the State, and what choices are available at key points in the case. By combining careful investigation with consistent communication, we aim to reduce the stress that often comes with a first DUI and to help you make informed decisions about how to move forward.

Contact our office today and schedule a free consultation; we offer payment plans for payment options and can advise you of legal options.