Last updated November 2025
Florida’s DUI laws are statewide — but the way they’re enforced isn’t. From Broward to Palm Beach and Miami-Dade, each county has its own prosecutors, diversion options, and courtroom culture. Working with a DUI lawyer who knows these differences can determine whether your case ends in a conviction — or a clean record.
⚖️ Broward County: Motion Practice Wins
Broward County DUIs are prosecuted at the Central Courthouse in downtown Fort Lauderdale. Local judges emphasize early discovery and motion calendars, making timing crucial.
Attorneys familiar with Broward procedures know when to challenge the stop, field-sobriety tests, and breath results from the Intoxilyzer 8000. Learn more in Fort Lauderdale’s Top DUI Lawyer.
If you refused a test, act fast — you only have 10 days to request a DHSMV hearing. For details, visit DUI License Suspension Hearings (DHSMV) in Broward: How to Win.
🚨 Palm Beach County: Diversion & Negotiation
Palm Beach County prosecutors often allow first-offender diversion programs that can lead to dismissal after alcohol counseling or community service. But missing eligibility deadlines closes that door quickly.
If your case started in Boca Raton, Delray Beach, or West Palm, you’ll appear in the Fifteenth Judicial Circuit. Learn how strategy shifts north of Broward in DUI Attorney Boca Raton: Defense Strategies that Work.
🧠 Miami-Dade: Technology & Trial Preparation
Miami-Dade’s DUI units rely heavily on video and body-worn camera evidence. Prosecutors there tend to be less flexible on reductions but more open to technical dismissals when procedure fails.
A successful defense focuses on video contradictions, officer credibility, and evidentiary chain gaps. For an overview of cross-county trial prep, see DUI Attorney Pembroke Pines FL: How Local Defense Wins in Broward.
🔗 Connected Legal Issues
Many South Florida DUIs involve license suspensions, resisting arrest, or property-damage allegations. Related guides:
For statewide administrative rules, visit the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles (FLHSMV) website.
❓ South Florida DUI FAQs: Penalties, Transfers & More
1. Do DUI penalties differ between counties?
Yes. State law is uniform, but local prosecutors handle plea offers and diversion differently.
2. Can I transfer my case to another county?
Not unless the offense occurred there — venue is fixed to the arrest location.
3. How long does a South Florida DUI case take?
Typically 3–6 months, depending on motions, hearings, and discovery.
4. What if I refused the breath test?
You have 10 days to request a DHSMV hearing to protect your license.
5. Can a DUI be reduced to reckless driving?
Yes. Strong motion practice and early negotiation often achieve that outcome.
💬 Contact a South Florida DUI Defense Lawyer Today
Whether your DUI happened in Broward, Palm Beach, or Miami-Dade, local knowledge is everything.
Contact Michael White, P.A. for a free consultation with a former prosecutor who defends drivers across South Florida.
For license rules and procedures, visit the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles website.