Third DWI Offense

Answer:

It is very important to speak with an attorney who specializes in handling DUIs throughout Orange, Osceola County, and the Orlando area. A third-time DUI can be very, very, very strict in the sanctions that they impose on you, particularly if it’s a third DUI within ten years. If it’s a third-time DUI within ten years, the most significant sanction that can be given to you that’s different from the others is a mandatory 30-day jail sentence. Again, any DUI law is set by Florida statute, and the statute dictates exactly what sanctions the court may or may not give. When it says, “the court must impose a 30-day sentence for a third-time DUI outside of ten years,” then the court has no choice; they must impose a 30-day jail sentence. That is the most devastating sanction there is, to take away your freedom and be incarcerated.

It’s very important that you get an attorney involved right away to make sure they take a look at your case, make sure the law enforcement did everything properly, make sure that the investigation was done properly, that the stop was done properly, and that everything lines up with the proper procedures and the legal ways of doing things, that way you can have the best defense possible. The other ramifications and sanctions of a third-time DUI will vary depending on if you have a third-time DUI within the ten years. If it’s just outside the ten years, then it’s kind of treated as a first-time DUI but with maybe higher fines and different probationary sentences.

Along with the third-time DUI you’re also going to – specific with a third-time DUI within the ten years – have a more significant driver’s license suspension. You’re going to have a longer vehicle impound, you’re going to have to pay more fines and court costs, and you’re going to have to take more DUI and traffic classes. You’re also going to have to have the ignition interlock on there for at least two years. All of these are significant costs. In terms of paying for the classes, paying for the impound, paying for the immobilization device, all of these costs are in addition to hiring an attorney to represent you in these cases.

It is very important to get an attorney that’s knowledgeable, has handled these types of DUIs, and knows specifically what to look for in helping you defend these cases. Once you start getting up to the third, fourth, fifth DUIs, the sanctions and the sentences become harsher in terms of taking away those freedoms. With incarceration, the second-time DUI comes with a mandatory ten-day jail sentence. With a third-time, it goes up to 30 days. That’s a month in jail. We don’t think anybody wants to be in jail for that period of time, so we think it’s critical to get someone involved to help protect your freedoms, help answer any questions you might have, and look for any possible defenses to help minimize the impact of this type of conviction on your case and on your record.

If you have any other questions about third-time DUIs or any type of DUIs, please contact the Victory Law Firm.