A DUI arrest in Orlando, Sanford, Kissimmee or anywhere in Central Florida starts two cases at once: a criminal case in county court and a license suspension with the state. The Law Office of David A. Webster, P.A. fights both. Our team pairs a former Seminole County prosecutor with a former Ninth Circuit assistant public defender, so we know how DUI cases are built and where they break down. Free, confidential consultations are available 24/7.
Arrested in the last 10 days?
You may still be able to protect your license. Call us today.
The clock starts the moment you are arrested. In most cases the officer takes your license and gives you a citation that works as a temporary permit for 10 days. After that, an administrative suspension takes effect unless you act. It is separate from the criminal case and happens even if you are never convicted.
Breath or blood result of 0.08 or higher
First refusal to take a breath, urine or blood test
License suspended before for a refusal
Within those 10 days, most drivers have two paths:
You challenge the suspension before a Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles hearing officer. If the stop, the arrest or the paperwork does not hold up, the suspension can be thrown out. The hearing also lets us question the arresting officer under oath early, which can help the criminal case.
First-time offenders who enroll in DUI school can often get a business purpose only license right away. You give up the chance to fight the suspension, but you keep driving to work, school and other essential trips.
Choosing the wrong path, or missing the deadline, can mean weeks with no legal way to drive. Call us before you decide. We will look at your citation, explain both options in plain terms, and file the request for you.
Every DUI case we take gets two perspectives: a lawyer who used to decide which DUI cases to file and what to offer, and a lawyer who has defended thousands of people in Central Florida courtrooms.
David prosecuted cases for the 18th Judicial Circuit, which covers Seminole and Brevard Counties. He knows what a DUI file looks like from the prosecutor’s desk, which weaknesses lead to reduced charges, and which cases are worth taking to a jury.
Samantha handled thousands of cases as an assistant public defender for the Ninth Judicial Circuit, which covers Orange and Osceola Counties. She knows the Orlando and Kissimmee courtrooms, judges and procedures that most DUI cases in those counties pass through.
Free, confidential consultations, available 24/7.
Since October 1, 2025, Trenton’s Law has made a first refusal to take a lawful breath or urine test a second-degree misdemeanor. A second refusal is a first-degree misdemeanor. Both come on top of the license suspension and are charged separately from the DUI itself. Refusal cases turn on details: whether the arrest was lawful, whether the officer read the updated implied consent warning correctly, and whether you actually refused. We examine the video and the paperwork for each of those questions.
Up to 60 days in jail, plus a 1 year suspension
Up to 1 year in jail, plus an 18 month suspension
Usually a misdemeanor, but a conviction is permanent. Early action often opens the door to a reduced charge.
A third DUI within 10 years, a fourth at any time, or a DUI causing serious bodily injury.
Any crash raises a DUI to a first-degree misdemeanor or higher.
A felony with a 4 year mandatory minimum. These cases need immediate investigation.
Now a separate crime under Trenton’s Law, with its own suspension.
Marijuana or prescription impairment is charged like alcohol DUI, but is much harder for the state to prove.
A DUI conviction, even in your own car, can disqualify your CDL for at least a year.
BUI convictions count as priors for a later DUI.
The hidden costs often hurt more: higher insurance premiums, trouble with background checks for jobs and housing, and risks to professional licenses.
A DUI conviction cannot be sealed or expunged in Florida. If the charge is dismissed or reduced to reckless driving, sealing may become an option.
| Penalty | Standard First DUI | BAC 0.15+ or Minor in Car |
|---|---|---|
| Fine | $500 to $1,000 | $1,000 to $2,000 |
| Jail | Up to 6 months | Up to 9 months |
| Probation | Up to 1 year, jail included | Same |
| Community service | 50 hours minimum | Same |
| License revocation | 180 days to 1 year | Same |
| Vehicle impound | 10 days | Same |
| Ignition interlock | Judge's discretion | Mandatory, at least 6 months |
| DUI school | Required | Required |
As a former prosecutor, David learned which DUI cases fall apart under scrutiny. We look for the same weak points in every case we take.
Police need a lawful reason to pull you over. If they did not have one, the evidence that followed may be thrown out.
Field sobriety exercises are subjective and often done wrong, on uneven ground or in bad lighting.
Machines must be maintained and operators must follow strict rules, including a 20 minute observation period.
We check how samples were drawn, stored and tested, and whether the chain of custody holds up.
Body camera, dash camera and booking footage often contradict the police report.
Acid reflux, diabetes, certain diets and rising blood alcohol can produce misleading numbers.
Depending on what we find, the goal is a dismissal, a reduction to a lesser charge such as reckless driving, a diversion option where the county offers one, or a not guilty verdict at trial.