If you're one of the thousands of Floridians who is arrested for a DUI, the time to start acting is now. In 2010, Marion County had 726 CONVICTIONS and Alachua County had 431 CONVICTIONS for driving while under the influence. This statistic does not include arrests that didn't yield a conviction. The effect of a DUI can be anywhere from little more than a momentary set back to completely devastating for years to come based on the choices you make.
The most pressing concern clients face is usually saving their driver license. Without a license, many clients find themselves unemployed, unable to care for family, and with much bigger problems than their original arrest. There are two entities that try to take away your license. The first is the criminal law system by which a judge orders that your license be suspended. The second is the Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles (DHSMV).
In order to make the process smoother, the very first thing you should do is apply for a hardship license.
· The application must be submitted within 10 days of the stop.
· You may first fill out the Request for Eligibility Review form. This form can be found here.
· Once you fill out the form (including the waiver of the formal hearing), the form must be faxed to 352.334.1597 with a CLEAR copy of your citation and a copy of your application to DUI school (below you will find the information for some local schools).
· The administration will call you and you will have to pay a $25 filing fee. Once they call you and you complete a phone interview, they will decide whether to issue a hardship license.
The second step would be to fight your criminal charges. The charges can be fought in a number of ways, and which option you go with is a discussion for you to have with your attorney.
Gainesville DUI School
North Central Florida Safety Counsel
3710 NW 51st Street, Suite A
Gainesville, FL 32606
Phone:
352-377-2566
Ocala DUI School
West Central Florida Driver Improvement, Inc.
225 NE 14th Street
Ocala, FL 34479
Phone:
352-622-6991