Last updated December 2025
A DUI arrest in Pembroke Pines can put your driver’s license, freedom, and career at risk almost immediately. Broward County prosecutors pursue these cases aggressively, but DUI charges are far more defensible than most people realize—especially when the stop, testing, or evidence collection process is flawed.
At Michael White, P.A., we defend DUI cases arising in Pembroke Pines and throughout Broward County. As a former prosecutor, Attorney White understands how local DUI cases are built—and where they most often fall apart.
⚖️ Local Courts & Procedures
Most Pembroke Pines DUIs originate with the Broward Sheriff’s Office or the Pembroke Pines Police Department, and cases are prosecuted downtown at the Broward County Courthouse. Local experience here matters. Attorneys who regularly appear before these judges know when to push for suppression hearings and when to leverage pre-trial diversion.
Read more about Broward’s DUI landscape in Fort Lauderdale’s Top DUI Lawyer, which explains how courtroom timing and officer credibility shape every case.
⚖️ DUI Arrests in Pembroke Pines: What Makes These Cases Unique
Pembroke Pines DUI arrests are typically initiated by the Pembroke Pines Police Department or the Broward Sheriff’s Office. Enforcement is especially common along:
Pines Boulevard
University Drive
Flamingo Road
Hiatus Road
I-75 corridors and commercial areas
Officers often justify stops using subjective observations, such as:
“Failure to maintain a lane”
Driving under the speed limit
Wide turns
Odor of alcohol or watery eyes
These claims frequently do not hold up once dashcam and body-worn camera footage is reviewed.
🏛️ Where Pembroke Pines DUI Cases Are Handled
All Pembroke Pines DUI cases are prosecuted at the Broward County Central Courthouse in Fort Lauderdale.
Local experience matters here. Judges, prosecutors, and hearing officers develop patterns, expectations, and negotiation thresholds. Knowing:
which officers repeatedly make procedural errors,
when prosecutors will consider reductions, and
how judges approach DUI suppression issues
can directly affect the outcome of a case.
🚨 Protecting Your Driver’s License After a DUI Arrest
A DUI arrest in Pembroke Pines immediately triggers two separate cases:
1️⃣ The Administrative (DHSMV) Case
You have 10 days from the date of arrest to request a formal hearing to contest your license suspension. Missing this deadline results in an automatic suspension—even if your criminal case is later dismissed.
2️⃣ The Criminal Case
This is where the DUI charge itself is litigated in Broward County court.
Early legal action can:
Preserve your driving privileges
Secure the arrest packet and testing records
Expose weaknesses before prosecutors lock in their theory
Refusal cases and breath-test cases raise different legal issues, and both are highly defensible when warnings or procedures were mishandled.
🧠 Defense Strategies That Work in Pembroke Pines DUI Cases
Successful DUI defense in Broward County focuses on evidence, procedure, and credibility.
🚔 Illegal or Unsupported Traffic Stops
Many Pembroke Pines DUI cases collapse when officers cannot articulate a lawful basis for the stop. Touching a lane line, driving slowly, or vague “weaving” allegations often fail under scrutiny.
🧍 Field Sobriety Test Problems
Field sobriety exercises are subjective and frequently administered incorrectly. Common issues include:
Poor lighting or uneven surfaces
Confusing or rushed instructions
Improper demonstrations
Ignoring medical or physical limitations
🧪 Breath & Chemical Testing Issues
Pembroke Pines officers commonly rely on the Intoxilyzer 8000. These machines are vulnerable to:
Calibration and maintenance gaps
Operator certification issues
Mouth alcohol contamination
Medical conditions that mimic impairment
🎥 Bodycam & Dashcam Contradictions
Video evidence often contradicts police reports, showing:
Clear speech
Normal balance
Cooperative behavior
Exaggerated or inaccurate officer narratives
In cases involving constitutional violations during the stop, detention, or testing process, it may be possible to seek suppression of key DUI evidence, which can dramatically weaken or end the prosecution’s case.
🚦 First-Time vs. Aggravated DUI in Pembroke Pines
Many first-time DUI cases are resolved favorably when handled early, including:
Reductions to reckless driving
Diversion-type resolutions (when available)
No jail time
Hardship license eligibility
Penalties increase significantly when aggravating factors are alleged, such as:
High BAC
Prior DUI convictions
Accidents involving damage or injury
Refusal allegations
Even in aggravated cases, strategic challenges often lead to reductions when evidence is weak.
🏛️ Why Local Representation Matters in Broward County
Many first-time DUI cases are resolved favorably when handled early, including:
Reductions to reckless driving
Diversion-type resolutions (when available)
No jail time
Hardship license eligibility
Penalties increase significantly when aggravating factors are alleged, such as:
High BAC
Prior DUI convictions
Accidents involving damage or injury
Refusal allegations
Even in aggravated cases, strategic challenges often lead to reductions when evidence is weak.
❓ FAQs
1. Where are Pembroke Pines DUI cases heard?
All Broward DUIs, including Pembroke Pines arrests, are handled at the Broward County Courthouse in Fort Lauderdale.
2. Can I refuse the breath test?
Yes, but refusal triggers a one-year suspension. A skilled lawyer can contest whether the refusal was lawful.
3. What if the officer didn’t read my implied-consent warning correctly?
Improper warnings can invalidate suspensions and exclude breath results at hearing.
4. Are field-sobriety tests mandatory?
No—they’re voluntary. Officers rarely mention this, but refusal cannot be used as evidence of guilt.
5. Can a first DUI be dismissed in Broward County?
Yes. Many first-time cases resolve through dismissal, diversion, or reduction to reckless driving when handled early.
📞 Arrested for DUI in Pembroke Pines?
You don’t have to face this alone. Early intervention can protect your license, expose weak evidence, and dramatically improve the outcome of your case.
Contact Michael White, P.A. today for a confidential consultation and experienced DUI defense in Pembroke Pines and throughout Broward County.