DUI Penalties in Florida
Penalties for driving while intoxicated in Florida are quite severe. Here we have a chart that shows penalties for many different levels of driving under the influence. These don’t take into account related court costs and other variables.
First DUI Conviction (under .15% BAC)
- Up to 6 months in jail
- Up to 1 year probation
- 6 months-1 year suspended license
- 10 day vehicle impoundment
- 50 hours community service
- $500-$1,000 in fines
First DUI Conviction (over .15% BAC or minor in car)
- Up to 9 months in jail
- Up to 1 year probation
- 6 months-1 year suspended license
- 10 day vehicle impoundment
- 50 hours community service
- $1,000-$2,000 in fines
Second DUI Conviction Within 5 Years (under .15% BAC)
- MANDATORY 10 DAYS IN JAIL
- Up to 9 months in jail
- Up to 1 year probation
- 5 years suspended license (hardship license after 1 yr)
- 30 day vehicle impoundment
- 50 hours community service
- $1,000-$2,000 in fines
Second DUI Conviction Within 5 Years (over .15% BAC or minor in car)
- MANDATORY 10 DAYS IN JAIL
- Up to 1 year imprisonment
- Up to 1 year probation
- 5 years suspended license (hardship license after 1 yr)
- 30 day vehicle impoundment
- $2,000-$4,000 in fines
Third DUI Conviction Within 5 Years (under .15% BAC)
- MANDATORY 30 DAYS IN JAIL
- Up to 1 year imprisonment
- Up to 1 year probation
- 10 years suspended license (hardship license after 1 yr)
- 90 day vehicle impoundment
- $2,000-$5,000 in fines
Third DUI Conviction Within 5 Years (over .15% BAC or minor in car)
- MANDATORY 30 DAYS IN JAIL
- Up to 1 year imprisonment
- Up to 1 year probation
- 10 years suspended license (hardship license after 2 yrs)
- 90 day vehicle impoundment
- Minimum $4,000 in fines
Fourth or Subsequent DUI Conviction Within 5 Years
- Third Degree Felony offender
- Up to 5 years imprisonment as habitual/violent offender
- Up to 1 year probation
- Permanent license revocation (no hardship reinstatement)
- Minimum $2,000 in fines
Manslaughter and Vehicular Homicide
- DUI Manslaughter – Second Degree Felony ($10,000 fine and/or 15 years imprisonment)
- DUI Manslaughter/Leaving the Scene – A driver convicted of DUI manslaughter, who should have known an accident occurred yet failed to offer information or aid, is guilty of a First Degree Felony ($10,000 fine and/or 30 years imprisonment)
- Vehicular Homicide – Second Degree Felony ($10,000 fine and/or 15 years imprisonment)
- Vehicular Homicide/Leaving the Scene – A driver convicted of vehicular homicide, who left the scene of the accident, is guilty of a First Degree Felony ($10,000 fine and/or 30 years imprisonment)
Depending on the circumstances, some items such as vehicle impoundment might be negotiable. However, it is important to know the maximum penalties and understand their seriousness. A DUI conviction can have life-long consequences, and hiring an experienced Jacksonville DUI lawyer is vital to reducing your sentence or having your conviction dropped altogether.
