If you’ve been arrested for DUI, you need an experienced DUI attorney in Fort Lauderdale, FL to guide you through your first offense and protect your record. Youโre not a criminal. Youโre a person who made a mistake (or was misjudged), and now youโre facing serious consequences.
As a DUI attorney in Fort Lauderdale, FL, Iโve helped hundreds of first-time offenders avoid jail, reduce charges, and protect their records. Hereโs how we do it.
๐น Step 1: Protect Your License (Fast)
After a DUI arrest in Florida, the clock starts ticking. You have 10 days to request a hearing to challenge your license suspension.
Florida’s Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles handles the administrative suspension process after a DUI arrest. Learn more about DUI license suspensions and hardship licenses from the FLHSMV.
โ We’ll:
File the formal review hearing
Fight for your hardship license
Begin gathering officer reports and video evidence
๐ Related: Florida DUI 10-Day Rule Explained
๐น Step 2: Review the Arrest for Legal Flaws
Even if you blew over the limit, your case might not hold up. We investigate:
Was the traffic stop legal?
Did the officer follow proper field sobriety procedures?
Were your rights violated?
Was the breathalyzer calibrated correctly?
๐จ If any of these are flawed, we file motions to suppress the evidence.
๐ Related: DUI Defense in Fort Lauderdale
๐น Step 3: Negotiate From Strength
Most first-time DUI clients are eligible for:
Charge reduction to reckless driving
Avoidance of mandatory DUI penalties (jail, interlock, etc.)
๐ Related: What Is a Wet Reckless in Florida?
We don’t just ask—we argue with leverage.
๐น Step 4: Explore First Offender Programs
While Broward doesn’t have a formal DUI diversion program like Palm Beach, we’ve helped first offenders enter:
DUI court alternatives
Back-door diversion deals
Mitigation-based plea negotiations
๐ Related: Palm Beach DUI First Offender Program
๐น Step 5: Protect Your Record
Even if your case is resolved without jail, a conviction can never be sealed or expunged in Florida.
โ Our goal is always:
๐ No adjudication
๐ Reduced charges
๐ Long-term eligibility for sealing
โ Why Hire a DUI Attorney in Fort Lauderdale FL for First Offenses
We know the local judges. We’ve negotiated with the local prosecutors. And we’ve helped hundreds of clients keep their jobs, their licenses, and their dignity.
๐ First DUI Arrest in Fort Lauderdale? Let’s Fix It Before It Sticks.
๐ Call now for a free consultation. Weโll walk you through what to expect and how to protect your futureโstarting today.
๐โ๏ธ What People Ask About First-Time DUI in Florida
Q1: Will I go to jail for my first DUI in Florida?
โ๏ธ Possibly—but most first-time offenders with a good attorney avoid jail through reduced charges or alternative sentencing.
Q2: Can I drive after my DUI arrest?
๐ Only if you act fast. You have 10 days to request a hearing or apply for a hardship license.
Q3: Can a first DUI be reduced to reckless driving?
โ Yes. If the evidence is weak or your lawyer negotiates well, many first-time DUIs are reduced to reckless driving (“wet reckless”).
Q4: Is my record ruined forever after a DUI?
๐งพ If you’re convicted, yes—it stays for life. But if the charge is reduced or adjudication is withheld, you may be eligible for sealing.
Q5: What does a DUI attorney do that a public defender won’t?
๐ฏ A private DUI attorney can dedicate more time to strategy, file aggressive motions, and pursue outcomes beyond just the standard plea offer.