What is the Difference in Penalties Between a DUI & a Commercial Driver’s License DUI?

A conviction for drunk driving is serious anyway you look at it. Unfortunately for individuals with a commercial driver’s license (CDL), a DUI conviction can be infinitely more devastating. Hundreds of individuals are arrested for drunk driving in Florida each year and penalties are severe to deter offenders from committing the same crime twice.

It is helpful to understand the difference between a regular DUI and a commercial driver’s license DUI. Although similar, the penalties can have different effects depending on the individual who is convicted.

What penalties could I face for a regular DUI?

Drivers with a regular license can be arrested for drunk driving if their blood alcohol content (BAC) is at or above 0.08 percent. Police officers can test BAC by administering a breath, blood, or urine test. Every person is different, so it is difficult to say how many drinks will put you over the legal limit.

If convicted of a first-offense DUI, you could face the following penalties:

• Up to nine months in jail
• Up to $1,000 in fines
• License suspension for up to one year
• Mandatory interlock ignition device
• And, more

Refusing to take a chemical test can result in additional penalties. Drivers may lose their license automatically for one year for a first-offense and up to 18 months for a second or third.

What penalties could I face for a CDL-DUI?

Individuals with a commercial driver’s license who are operating a commercial motor vehicle can be charged with DUI if they have a BAC of 0.04 percent or higher..

Convicted offenders will have their CDL suspended and be banned from operating a commercial vehicle for at least one year, in addition to regular DUI penalties. They are also unable to apply for a hardship CDL license. When the driver becomes eligible again, they are required to pay a reinstatement fee before gaining the ability to drive.

DUI penalties for both regular drivers and commercial drivers cannot be ignored. If you possess a CDL and are facing a DUI conviction, don’t take any chances! Contact my firm to speak with a Miami DUI lawyer for CDL with more than 30 years of experience! 

What Does DUI or Driving Under the Influence Mean?

There are many dangers associated with the act of driving under the influence (DUI). In addition to the dangers of causing an accident or suffering injury, the driver can face criminal penalties. Not all drivers who have been charged for drunk driving, however, are actually guilty. At Jonathan Blecher, P.A., I offer my experienced representation to help defend individuals charged with DUI.

DUI stands for driving under the influence, which is the term that the state of Florida uses to explain the crime of driving while intoxicated with alcohol or drugs. Any driver who is suspected of being in physical control of the vehicle can be charged with DUI under the state’s statute § 316.193.

There are different ways that “impaired” driving can be proven. If you have a blood alcohol content level of 0.08% or higher, prosecution will have a solid case against you. Other methods, such as field sobriety tests, can be used as tools against you by prosecution to prove your guilt. These, however, can be defended with a knowledgeable Miami DUI attorney who understands the state's DUI laws.

What is the impact of a DUI conviction on my life?

Drinking and driving is seen as a dangerous crime, and for that reason, the penalties carry a high degree of intensity. The state of Florida carries extensive penalties for individuals charged with DUI that can affect the alleged offender’s driving ability, job, and family. Even for just a first-time offense, the state imposes certain mandatory penalties for those who are convicted.

With the life-changing penalties that you can experience with a conviction, you do not want to risk a guilty plea. You will need to establish a strong defense method with the assistance of a knowledgeable attorney by your side. Contact my firm right away so that I can begin building a workable solution for your particular case. I am here to defend your rights and protect your future!