How Does Florida Handle Out-of-State DUIs?
You’re on vacation in Orlando and you’re having a little (too much) fun. You get pulled over, and the officer smells alcohol on your breath. The officer conducts a breathalyzer test and determines that you’re over the legal limit. You’re arrested for DUI. Now what? In this article, the Orlando DUI defense lawyers at FL DUI Group will discuss how the State of Florida handles out-of-state DUIs.
How does Florida handle out-of-state DUIs?
The State of Florida participates in an interstate program to exchange information about traffic violations and coordinate penalties with other states. If you live in New York and get a DUI in Orlando, Florida law enforcement will relay the information to your home state so that you can complete the terms of your sentence. That means you could face penalties in both Florida and your home state because of the following rules:
- Non-Resident Violator Compact of 1997 (NRVC) – This rule requires participating states to report any serious traffic violation to the driver’s home state. All states but Alaska, California, Michigan, Montana, Oregon, Virginia, and Wisconsin are part of the compact.
- Driver’s License Compact – This agreement forces states to uphold any sanctions placed by the state where the DUI occurred. The most common penalty is having your license suspended in your home state after getting a DUI in another state.
- The National Driver Register – Each state has a database of driving records for its residents that law enforcement officers from other states can access. If you’ve been arrested in Florida for a DUI, police can see if you have any previous traffic infractions, your license has been suspended or revoked, or if you’ve been previously convicted of a DUI.
Consequences of a Florida DUI for out-of-state drivers
DUI charges in Florida can result in the following penalties:
- It costs a lot of money – A first-time DUI in Florida carries a fine of up to $1,000, plus court fees, plus the cost of travel to appear in a Florida court. Out-of-state defendants will have to travel significant distances back and forth from Florida for their court dates. Your attorney could ask the judge to reduce the number of court appearances.
- Jail time – DUI is a crime and carries a potential jail sentence of up to six months in jail, six months probation, or both. Your attorney could argue that any pretrial diversion program, community service, or other penalty be served in your home state.
- Suspension of your driver’s license – DUIs in Florida will result in a driver’s license suspension of between six months and a year, plus a mandatory substance abuse treatment program. Your lawyer may be able to argue that you need a hardship license to get to and from work.
Talk to an Orlando, FL, DUI Lawyer Today
FL DUI Group represents the interests of out-of-state drivers who have been charged with DUI in Orlando. Call our Florida DUI defense lawyers today to schedule an appointment, and we can begin preparing your defense right away.
