DUI with Serious Bodily Injury
It is a terrible tragedy when someone is injured by a drunk driver. In most cases, the person under the influence had no intention of causing any harm. The driver just wanted to make it safely to their destination, and an unfortunate accident happened. You should not be punished for your mistake. If you have been charged with a DUI with serious bodily injury, you need to contact a criminal defense attorney right away.
A Florida criminal defense attorney will be able to either build a defense against the charges or plea bargain to have the charges reduced. You must contact a criminal defense attorney to make sure that your rights are protected.
St. Petersburg DUI with Serious Bodily Injury Attorney
Melinda Morris is the founding partner of the Morris Law Firm which exclusively deals with criminal defense. As a former prosecutor, Ms. Morris has insight into how the Pinellas County prosecutors build their cases. If you have been charged with a DUI with serious bodily injury, contact the Morris Law Firm at (727) 388-4736 for a consultation about your DUI with serious bodily injury case.
Florida DUI Laws
Section 316.193 in the Florida Statutes lays out the driving under the influence laws. Under the law a person is guilty of driving under the influence if:
- The individual is driving or in control of a motor vehicle
- The individual is under the influence of alcoholic beverages
- The individual has a blood alcohol level of 0.08 or greater
- The individual has a breath-alcohol level of 0.08 or greater
In order to be convicted of a DUI with serious bodily injury, the prosecution must prove that you were drunk, and then must show that you caused serious bodily injury to another person. Serious bodily injury means that the person has severe injuries resulting in disfigurement or permanent disability.
Penalties for DUI with Serious Bodily Injury
DUI with serious bodily injury is classified as a third degree felony under Florida law. The punishment for a third degree felony is:
- 5 years in prison
- $5,000 fine
- Up to 96 points added to your driving record
Even if you have no prior criminal history, you can still serve jail time and get your driving privileges revoked for a DUI with serious bodily injury. It is important to contact an experienced lawyer right away if you are charged with DUI with serious bodily injury.
Defenses to DUI with Serious Bodily Injury
Only a licensed Florida attorney can create a defense for your case. It is important to contact a criminal defense attorney familiar with the court system in Pinellas County and St. Petersburg.
The most common defenses are:
- Show that you were not under the influence of alcohol
- Show that you were not the cause of the serious bodily injury
In most DUI cases, the police officers give either a breath test or take a blood test. It is possible to challenge these tests. The machines may not be properly calibrated or you could have some underlying medical condition that caused false results.
As for the serious bodily injury, sometimes the “drunk” driver did not cause the accident. If the injured party received their injuries due to their own negligence, then it is possible to get the serious bodily injury charge removed.
Only a lawyer can help you. Every DUI with serious bodily case is different so you need to tell the attorney the facts of your case in order to get the best defense.
Morris Law Firm | St. Petersburg DUI with Serious Bodily Injury Attorney
The Morris Law Firm is committed to representing persons who are accused of DUI with serious bodily injury. Contact the Morris Law Firm if you have been charged with DUI with serious bodily injury in Pinellas County or St. Petersburg. You need to talk with an St. Petersburg DUI criminal defense attorney. Our goal is to get the charges dismissed or greatly reduced.