DUI Penalties in Florida

It's Friday night. You and your pals head to the local bar to shake off a bad workweek and "throw a few back." Except, no one called a cab and now you're driving home. What's wrong with this picture? Oh, nothing, if you don't mind putting lives at risk or wrapping your car around a tree.

If you're thinking of driving drunk in Florida, think again. Here's what you can expect if you're arrested for driving under the influence.

First Offense DUI:
� 0-6 months in jail
� 0-9 months in jail, if Blood/Breath Alcohol Level (BAL) is greater than 0.20 or you have a minor in the car
� $250-500 fine
� $500-1,000 fine, if BAL is greater than 0.20 or you have a minor in the car
� Probation up to 1 year, including DUI School, psychosocial evaluation and 50 hours community service
� One vehicle impounded for 10 days
� Ignition Interlock Device installed, if BAL is greater than 0.20
� License suspended from 180 days to one year

Second Offense DUI within 5 years:
� 10 days minimum in jail, up to 9 months
� 10 days minimum in jail, up to 12 months if BAL is greater than 0.20 or you have a minor in the car
� $500-1,000 fine
� $1,000-2,000 fine if BAL is greater than 0.20 or you have a minor in the car
� Probation up to 1 year, including DUI school, psychosocial evaluation and 50 hours community service
� All defendant's vehicles impounded for at least 30 days
� Ignition Interlock Device installed for 1 year (2 years, if BAL is greater than 0.20)
� License suspended for not less than 5 years

Second Offense DUI outside of 5 years:
� 0-9 months in jail
� 0-12 months in jail if BAL is greater than 0.20 or you have a minor in the car
� $500-1,000 fine
� $1,000-2,000 fine, if BAL is greater than 0.20 or you have a minor in the car
� Probation up to 1 year, including DUI school, psychosocial evaluation and 50 hours community service
� One vehicle impounded for 10 days
� Ignition Interlock Device installed for 1 year (2 years, if BAL is greater than 0.20)
� License suspended from 180 days to one year

Third Offense DUI within 10 years:
� 30 days to 12 months in jail
� Minimum of 30 days (at least 48 hours must be consecutive) up to 12 months in jail if BAL is greater than 0.20 or you have a� minor in the car
� $1,000-2,500 fine
� $2,000-5,000 fine, if BAL is greater than 0.20 or you have a minor in the car
� Probation up to 1 year, including DUI school, psychosocial evaluation and 50 hours community service
� All defendant's vehicles impounded for at least 90 days
� Ignition Interlock Device installed for at least 2 years
� License suspended for 10 years

Third Offense DUI outside of 10 years:
� 0-12 months in jail (even if BAL is greater than 0.20 or you have a minor in the car)
� $1,000-2,500 fine
� $2,000-5,000 fine, if BAL is greater than 0.20 or you have a minor in the car
� Probation up to 1 year, including DUI school, psychosocial evaluation, and 50 hours community service
� All defendant's vehicles impounded for at least 90 days
� Ignition Interlock Device installed for at least 2 years
� License suspended from 180 days to one year

In 2004, there were a staggering 16,694 alcohol-related fatalities recorded. That translates into one death every 30 minutes at the hands of someone who decides to drink and drive. Approximately 275,000 people are injured or disfigured every year due to alcohol-impaired drivers. One third of these are children.

So, the next time you're ready to shake off a bad workweek, do yourself and everyone else a favor. Plan ahead and have a designated driver, or call a cab if you're out alone. Don't risk your life, or the lives of innocent people. In Florida, you're considered legally drunk if your BAL is 0.08. Even if you think you're not impaired, you may be wrong. Dead wrong.