If you ever find yourself getting arrested on DUI charges in Florida, you’ll likely feel a wide range of emotions. If you believe you weren’t driving under the influence and were unfairly targeted, you may be concerned about your future and even outraged. Although Florida’s DUI laws aren’t the strongest in the US, several DUI regulations have been passed in the last decade, and they’ve increased the state’s penalty for DUI convictions. Here is what happens when you get a DUI in Florida

The Consequences of a DUI

Obviously, no one wants to ride in a car with a driver who is impaired. Some drivers are careful when it comes to driving while intoxicated—yet they still face the significant penalties of DUI accusations. Every state in the United States has set the blood and breath alcohol content limit at 0.08 percent. DUI penalties will be increased for those who had a blood alcohol content (BAC) greater than 0.15 percent. They’re also increased for those who were driving under the influence with a juvenile, and for those whose impairment resulted in an accident, injury, or death.

Criminal Penalties You May Face With A Dui

A first-time DUI conviction in Florida can result in fines of up to $1,000, six months in jail, the loss of your driver’s license for six months, and fifty hours of community service. If you have no prior criminal history, you may receive less as a first-time offender: a $500 fine, up to a year of probation, a six-month license suspension, and maybe a six-month jail sentence. You could potentially be punished to community service and required to attend a drunk driving school or a drug and alcohol treatment.

Further Consequences of a DUI

A DUI conviction can result in the loss of many personal freedoms in addition to the criminal penalties. After a conviction, you may be unable to obtain a passport or purchase a handgun, obtain a professional license, rent a property, or work with children. Obtaining a government student loan for further study can be extremely difficult, and finding work might be tough, if not impossible. Your auto insurance costs are likely to rise to the point where they are no longer affordable, or your policy may be canceled entirely.

We hope this article has helped you understand what happens when you get a DUI in Florida! If you are looking to purchase affordable non-owners car insurance, reach out to Serenity Group today! We’re dedicated to making the insurance purchasing process easy and painless for you.