Driving under the influence in Florida comes with some serious consequences. Especially if you get caught driving drunk more than once. If you are lucky enough not to have hurt anyone or yourself while driving under the influence, you will still have to deal with the legal consequences of breaking the law.
What is considered to be under the influence?
A blood alcohol content of .08 or more is considered to be under the influence. For a minor, a blood alcohol level of .02 or more is legally punishable. A blood alcohol level of .15 or more is quite serious and considered to be an aggravated DUI.
Understanding the legal consequences
Typically, someone who is caught driving under the influence for the first time will not spend any significant time in jail if no one was injured. The real consequence is the level of fines that can be imposed and the risk of a suspended license. Legal repercussions such as these could require a strong DUI defense strategy.
Repeat offenders can count on a significant jail visit along with hefty fines and the loss of driving privileges. In fact, the state of Florida can take your license away for as long as one year and require an ignition interlock device on the second offense or for an aggravated offense.
Ignition interlock device
Ignition interlock devices are used in many DUI cases as a way to give offenders a way to continue operating a vehicle safely. It is a small device that the operator of a vehicle must blow into in order to start the vehicle. If the IID detects alcohol, the car will not start.
If the car is allowed to start, the driver will be required to continue to randomly blow into the IID to prove they are still not under the influence for as long as the vehicle is in motion. If alcohol is detected after the car is started and moving, the IID will not turn the car off. However, the device could cause the vehicle’s horn to blow and the lights to flash until the car is stopped and turned off.