The penalties that go with a conviction on DUI charges in Florida can be harsh even if no one crashed and no one was injured. But, if a driver is accused of being intoxicated behind the wheel when they were in a crash that caused injury to others, the charges and potential penalties can be much more serious.
Nine injured in crash at taco stand
Recently, a 20-year-old man was charged in connection with a crash that injured nine people who were waiting outside a Fort Myers taco stand. According to news reports, patrons were at outdoor tables or standing outside the taco stand when a car crashed into the crowd. Several people, including four children, were taken to nearby hospitals with what authorities said were non-life-threatening injuries.
Police said the driver was found to be intoxicated. He was arrested and now faces multiple criminal charges.
Penalties can add up
Under Florida law, a conviction for first-offense DUI typically carries a possible jail sentence of up to six months and a fine of between $500 and $1,000. In addition, a driver convicted of a first-offense DUI can face administrative penalties such as suspension of their driver’s license and possibly impoundment of their vehicle.
Various factors can increase these penalties. For instance, if the driver is found to have a blood-alcohol concentration (BAC) of 0.15% or higher, the potential fine is doubled. A person convicted of a second offense can face up to nine months in jail. Note also that while the so-called legal limit for BAC in most drivers is 0.08%, it stands at only 0.02% for drivers under the legal drinking age of 21.
If the defendant is accused of causing a DUI crash that involved personal injury or property damage, this is tried as separate charge in addition to the DUI charge itself. In a first-offense DUI case, this injury or damage charge carries a fine of up to $1,000. This fine is in addition to the fine the person faces for the DUI itself.
What’s more, if multiple people were injured, the defendant can face a separate charge for each injured person.
When the penalties pile up in a DUI case, a defendant can see a threat to their driving privileges, their freedom and their whole future. It’s crucial that they seek out experienced help in building their criminal defense.