Last updated November 2025
If you’re facing a DUI in Broward County, you need a Fort Lauderdale DUI lawyer who understands the local playbook. From DHSMV deadlines to courtroom expectations, local strategy can be the difference between a conviction and a second chance.
⏰ Day 1: Protect Your License (10-Day Clock)
Under Florida Stat. §316.193, a DUI arrest triggers an administrative suspension unless you act fast.
🗓️ File the DHSMV hearing request within 10 days
🚗 Seek a hardship permit when appropriate
📄 Preserve discovery and video immediately
🔍 Broward-Specific Evidence Checks
In Fort Lauderdale, small details move cases:
🎥 Bodycam & stop video: lane drift, signaling, and officer instructions
🧪 Breath test maintenance & logs: machine calibration, operator certs
📝 Report gaps: field sobriety test instructions, medical conditions, footwear/surface notes
🧑⚖️ Knowing the Courtroom (And Who’s In It)
Broward prosecutors often push hard on first offers. A seasoned Fort Lauderdale DUI lawyer will:
🧭 Identify which divisions/judges value treatment or early mitigation
🤝 Negotiate strategically (programs, withholds, reductions)
🛡️ Preserve suppression issues while keeping deals in play
🧰 Defense Themes That Land Here
🚫 Illegal stop / bad detention → motion to suppress
⚖️ Improper FSTs (medical/age/footwear/surface) → reliability attack
🔬 Instrument challenges (maintenance gaps, operator error, rising BAC)
📉 No impaired driving evidence despite a number
📣 What You Do Now
Call counsel today to protect your license
Gather meds/conditions → may explain FST performance
List witnesses & locations; preserve phone/location data where helpful
📣 Steps to Protect Your License After DUI Arrest
Local knowledge wins Broward DUI cases. Pair fast DHSMV actionwith Fort Lauderdale courtroom strategy to protect your license—and your future.
👉 Free consult:Fort Lauderdale DUI Defense
❓ FAQs
How fast should I contact a Fort Lauderdale DUI lawyer?
⏱️ Immediately—10 days to request a DHSMV hearing on your license.
Will a lawyer help if I blew over the limit?
🧪 Yes. Calibration logs, operator errors, rising BAC, and medical issues can undermine results.
Can I get charges reduced in Broward County?
⚖️ Often—depending on evidence, mitigation, and negotiation strategy with the assigned division.
Do bodycam videos really matter?
🎥 Absolutely. They can contradict reports and support suppression or reasonable doubt.
Is a first DUI still serious?
📌 Yes—fines, probation, classes, potential jail, and driver’s license consequences still apply.