“At our firm, our mission is to help our clients through their legal difficulties cost effectively and efficiently as possible, while minimizing the amount of stress on their lives.”
Matthew Rheingans, P.A. was founded in 2003 as a firm dedicated to civil and criminal litigation. We are located conveniently in downtown Venice on the corner of Harbor Drive and Venice Avenue West, directly across the street from the post office and City Hall.
This website is intended for purely informational purposes. It is not legal advice. You should seek the assistance of an attorney for legal advice. Our firm welcomes email inquiries. However, no attorney-client relationship exists through the submission of an email. You are not considered a client until you have retained this firm by execution of a written agreement for legal services.
DRIVING UNDER THE INFLUENCE
The two most important aspects to the criminal justice system to remember are:
- You are innocent until proven guilty.
- The government must prove every element of an offense beyond and to the exclusion of every reasonable doubt.
Therefore, drinking and driving is NOT a crime in any state for adults. The State must prove that you were either driving with an unlawful blood or breath alcohol level or that you were under the influence of alcohol or an illegal substance to the extent that your normal faculties were impaired.
A DUI conviction can have serious effects on your life.
- A conviction for DUI will go on your criminal and driving record
- Your driver’s license will be suspended for a period of time.
- You may go to jail.
- You will pay fines.
- You may be have an ignition interlock device installed at your expense.
- You will be required to go to intervention programs and possibly further treatment.
- Your automobile insurance rates may increase for several years.
- Moreover, it may be difficult to obtain life insurance with a conviction for DUI.
You should contact an attorney immediately to discuss your case, as you only have ten (10) days in Florida to appeal the administrative suspension of your license when you are arrested for DUI.
Please contact us at (941) 412-9000 for a free consultation about your case. We will vigorously defend your rights and while we cannot guarantee an outcome in any case, we can guarantee that we will defend you to the best of our ability.
| DUI PENALTIES | 1ST DUI | 2ND DUI W/IN 5 YRS/ | 3RD DUI W/IN 10 YRS(FELONY) |
| Jail | No more than 6 months, if over .20 or passenger under 18 years of age, then not more than 9 months |
10 days-9 months, not more than 12 months for passenger under 18 or over .20 | 30 days-5 years |
| FINE | $250-$500, but if over .20 or passenger under 18 years old then $500-$1000 |
$500-$1000, but if over .20 or passenger under 18 years old, then $1000-$2000 |
$2000-$5000, but if over .20 or passenger under 18 years, then at least $2000 |
| LICENSE SUSPENSION | 6 months-1 year | 5 years | 10 years |
| VEHICLE IMPOUNDMENT | 10 days | 30 days | 90 days |
| IGNITION INTERLOCK | If court ordered, up to 6 months, at least six months for over .20 or passenger under 18 |
At least 1 year, at least 2 years | 2 years |
| ELIGIBLE FOR BUSINESS PURPOSES LICENSE | Yes after 30 days | Yes after 1 year | Yes after 2 years |
You may be eligible for a business purposes or other restricted driver’s license if you have been charged with a REFUSAL TO SUBMIT TO BREATH TEST.
For your first Refusal, your license will be suspended for one year, but it is not a criminal offense and you may apply for a hardship license after 90 days of suspension.
For your second Refusal, your license will be suspended for eighteen (18) months, it is a misdemeanor offense and you may not apply for a hardship license.
Personal Injury
Civil Litigation
DUI