Miami-Dade County Multiple DUI Attorney

Call The Law Offices of Eric M. Matheny, P.A. at (305) 504-6655 for a Free Consultation!

If you have been charged with driving under the influence (DUI) in Miami-Dade County, you may be facing a serious legal matter. The State of Florida takes DUI offenses very seriously, and you could be facing a variety of penalties if you are found guilty. You may be charged with a first, second, or third DUI offense, depending on the circumstances of your case. If you're facing this, you need the help of a multiple DUI attorney in Miami.

Contact our Miami Lakes DUI lawyer at (305) 504-6655 to schedule your free consultation with our multiple DUI attorney in Miami today!

Depending on the circumstances of your case, you could be facing a first, second, or third DUI offense, which could result in increased penalties.

• For example, the penalties for a second DUI offense are generally more severe than those for a first offense.

In addition to the penalties that you may be facing, you may also be required to install an ignition interlock device (IID) in your vehicle. An IID is a device that is installed in your vehicle that will test your breath for alcohol before allowing your vehicle to start. If your breath tests at a certain level, your vehicle will not start. IIDs can be inconvenient, but they are the only way to ensure that you are not drinking and driving.

At The Law Offices of Eric M. Matheny, P.A., we understand that you may have questions and concerns about your DUI charge. Our Miami-Dade DUI attorney is here to help you understand your legal options and to work to help you achieve the best possible outcome in your case.

When you are dealing with a second or subsequent DUI accusation, the stakes are even higher because prosecutors in Miami-Dade County often seek enhanced penalties and may be less willing to offer lenient resolutions. We take the time to review prior convictions, the details of the new arrest, and any potential defenses so that a person looking for a multiple DUI attorney in Miami can see how we build a strategy tailored to repeat-offense concerns.

We also know that many people worry about what will happen at the local courthouse, from the initial bond hearing through pretrial conferences and, if necessary, trial. Our firm regularly appears in Miami-Dade County Court and other South Florida courts that handle DUI cases, so we can guide you through each step, explain potential outcomes, and help you make informed decisions about whether to pursue motions, negotiate a plea, or proceed to trial.

Understanding the DUI Penalties in Florida With Our Multiple DUI Attorneys in Miami

In Florida, the penalties for a DUI offense will depend on the severity of the offense and the number of prior offenses. A first offense DUI is a misdemeanor, and the penalties can include:

• A minimum $500 fine
• A minimum of 9 days in jail
• Community service
• License suspension

A second offense DUI is a misdemeanor as well, and the penalties can include:

• A minimum $1,000 fine
• A minimum of 30 days in jail
• Community service
• License suspension

A third offense DUI is a third degree felony, and the penalties can include:

• A minimum $2,000 fine
• A minimum of 9 months in prison
• A minimum of 5 years of probation
• License suspension

In addition to the penalties listed above, you may be required to install an IID in your vehicle. An IID is a device that is installed in your vehicle that will test your breath for alcohol before allowing your vehicle to start. If your breath tests at a certain level, your vehicle will not start. IIDs can be inconvenient, but they are the only way to ensure that you are not drinking and driving.

For people facing a second DUI or multiple DUI charges, Florida law also allows for longer license suspensions, higher fines, and mandatory ignition interlock periods, especially if the prior offenses occurred within a certain number of years. As a 2nd DUI attorney Miami defendants can turn to, we evaluate how the timing and details of prior convictions may affect enhancements, and we look for ways to challenge the traffic stop, field sobriety exercises, or breath test to try to limit the long-term impact on your driving privileges and criminal record.

Judges in Miami-Dade County and throughout Florida also have discretion in some areas, such as whether to impose additional conditions like alcohol treatment, curfews, or community-based programs, particularly in repeat-offense cases. Our multiple DUI attorneys in Miami work to present mitigating information about your work, family responsibilities, and any proactive steps you have taken, such as voluntary treatment or counseling, so that the court can see you as a whole person rather than just a case number.

Defending Second and Multiple DUI Charges

When you already have one DUI on your record, a new arrest can feel overwhelming because the consequences under Florida law become more severe with each conviction. Second and multiple DUI cases often involve questions about how old the prior offenses are, whether they occurred in Miami-Dade County or another jurisdiction, and how they will be treated in the current case. 

Our multiple DUI attorneys in Miami carefully examine prior judgments, sentencing documents, and driving history to determine how prosecutors may seek to enhance penalties and what options may still be available to protect your future. This approach helps you understand the difference between a first offense and what is at stake when you are accused again.

In building a defense, we look closely at every stage of the stop and arrest, including whether there was a lawful basis to pull you over, how field sobriety exercises were conducted, and whether breath or blood samples were obtained and stored correctly. 

For repeat-offense DUI matters handled in the Miami-Dade County court system, including cases heard at the Richard E. Gerstein Justice Building, small details can make a meaningful difference when negotiating with the prosecution or arguing motions before the judge. We also discuss potential alternatives, such as treatment programs, counseling, or other mitigators that may be presented to the court to seek a more favorable outcome in light of your full personal history.

Call The Law Offices of Eric M. Matheny, P.A. Today for a Free Consultation!

If you have been charged with a DUI offense, we can help. At The Law Offices of Eric M. Matheny, P.A., we have extensive experience in DUI defense, and we can work to help you understand your legal options and fight your DUI charges.

Contact our Miami Lakes DUI lawyer at (305) 504-6655 to schedule your free consultation today!