West Palm Beach DUI Attorney | Call Lawyer Today (561) 832-4348

DUI Lawyer in West Palm Beach

Florida has strict laws against driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol. That means that even if you’ve been charged with your first DUI, you could spend time in jail, pay a large fine, lose your license, and more. Additionally, you’ll have to deal with the collateral damage of a DUI conviction, such as higher insurance premiums and possibly losing your job if it requires driving.

You might think that a DUI charge means you’re sure to be convicted, but that’s not the case. Ronald S. Chapman, P.A., has over three decades of experience defending clients against DUI charges. Contact our West Palm Beach DUI lawyer today to discuss your options, including strategies to reduce or dismiss the charges.

DUI Defense Strategies

Your West Palm Beach DUI lawyer can use a variety of defense strategies when fighting your charges. They include:

Inaccurate breathalyzer or blood test results
The police stopped you illegally
The police didn’t tell you that your refusal to do roadside exercises could be used against you in court
Involuntary intoxication

This is far from an all-inclusive list of options. Your attorney needs to look at the facts surrounding your case before determining the right path forward. Get started by contacting our firm for a consultation today.

Penalties For A First-offense DUI In West Palm Beach

Because first-offense DUIs are generally charged as misdemeanors, you might think that they aren’t serious. However, you face fines between $500-$1,000, you can be sentenced to up to six months in jail if convicted, and up to one year if there was an accident. Additional penalties include community service and probation. Also, your driver’s license will be suspended if you are convicted of DUI. The penalties are even more harsh if you had a minor in your car or you had a blood alcohol level greater than 0.15 %.

You will face those penalties only if you’re convicted, so contact our West Palm Beach DUI lawyer today to discuss your case.

Saving Your License After A DUI Arrest

When you’re arrested for a DUI in Florida, you’ll forfeit your license and receive a “Notice of Suspension” in its place. This notice allows you to drive for ten more days before your license is suspended.

During the 10-day period, your West Palm Beach DUI lawyer can take steps to help you keep your driving privileges. There are two options for this, starting with requesting an administrative hearing. Once requested, you may be able to get a hardship license that you can use to go to and from work. If you win the hearing, you can get your license reinstated. However, if you lose the hearing, you will not be able to drive at all for 30 to 90 days, depending upon whether you blew into the breath machine.

You can also forgo the DUI administrative hearing and request a hardship license to use for the duration of your suspension. Your West Palm Beach DUI lawyer will discuss your options with you and help you choose the one that’s right for you.

Refusing A Breathalyzer Test

While you have the right to refuse a breathalyzer or blood test after a DUI arrest, doing so comes with consequences. Your driver’s license can be suspended for up to 12 months due to your refusal. And if you refuse a breathalyzer a second time, you may lose your license for 18 months. Contact our West Palm Beach DUI lawyer to discuss your situation. Then, you can evaluate possible defense strategies to reduce or eliminate your penalties altogether.

Should You Attend DUI School?

If you are convicted of a DUI in West Palm Beach, the judge can order you to attend a DUI school to learn about the impact of driving under the influence. However, some people choose to take these classes while their cases are still pending. Consult with a West Palm Beach DUI lawyer so that he can help you decide what is best for you to do.

Why Choose Ronald S. Chapman, P.A.?

I Know How Palm Beach Courts Work — Having defended clients for decades in Palm Beach County, I know how the judges and prosecutors think and operate.

Highly Reviewed & Rated — Highly rated on Google, 5-star rating on respected legal website Avvo. See some of our client reviews.

Respected in the Legal Community — Written about in “The Globe” by a jury foreman for his excellent defense.

Privacy — I safeguard your identity, the details of your case, and our strategy to protect your reputation.

Confidential Case Assessment — During your phone assessment, I will listen to you and help you determine your next steps.

Highly Responsive — I pride myself on fast response times when communicating with our clients. I will never let your questions or concerns go unaddressed.

No Case Is Too Difficult or Complex — This is where tenacity and knowledge of the law matter. I do what is necessary, even in complex cases.

Straight Shooters — Your situation requires honesty from both you and me. We’ll tell you what you need to know, not necessarily what you want to hear. Our approach focuses on efficiency and speed to resolve cases as quickly as possible to get your life back to normal sooner.

Caring & Compassionate (Truly) — I truly understand the complications criminal charges can bring upon individuals and their families.

I Keep You Updated — Transparency is key. I want you to know what’s happening with your case at all points in the process.

Experienced — With over 36 years of experience and 500 jury trials and hearings, I have defended clients who have found themselves in situations probably just like yours.

West Palm Beach DUI Lawyer