DUI Helping Good People Through Difficult Situations

DUI Defense Lawyer

Serving St. Petersburg & the Surrounding Areas

DUI cases are often times much more complex than you may think. In most, there are two proceedings that a person needs to be aware of: an administrative proceeding, and a criminal proceeding. The administrative case proceeds through the Department of Motor Vehicles (not the court system) and involves the suspension of a person's driver's license (potentially) for a set period of time. For most people, the loss of their privilege to drive is of paramount concern, as the implications can be profound: the inability to drive can mean the inability to work, to grocery shop, to transport children to and from school or day care, or to attend doctor's appointments. The loss of your privilege to drive, for any period of time can be crippling.

Administrative Proceeding

You should know that the Department of Motor Vehicles (in the administrative proceeding), unlike the presiding judge (in the criminal proceeding), does not have the authority to do anything except suspend your privilege to drive (potentially): the DMV cannot adjudicate you guilty of a crime, cannot impose a fine, cannot place you on probation, and cannot sentence you to jail. As a St. Petersburg DUI attorney, I frequently receive calls from people who have just been arrested for a DUI somewhere in the Tampa Bay area. Most are vaguely aware of the "10-day rule" and are completely in the dark about what, if anything, can be done to avoid the administrative suspension or, in the alternative, obtain some sort of "hardship" or "restricted" driver's license. The "administrative suspension" subsection herein provides you with a comprehensive overview of what the "10 day rule" really means, what a formal review hearing is (and the process for obtaining one), what can be done to avoid an administrative hard suspension, potential defenses in the administrative proceeding, and the period of suspension applicable in the event of an unsuccessful attempt to have the administrative suspension rescinded or "set aside" (which will depend on (1) how many prior DUI offenses you have (if any); (2) whether you submitted to a lawful test of your breath or blood in the prior case(s), or refused such test; and (3) whether you submitted to a lawful test of your breath or blood in your pending case, or refused to submit to such test).

Unlike the "administrative" proceeding, the criminal case proceeds through the court system. When arrested for a DUI, the person will receive a citation from the officer with a court date printed along the bottom. If you were arrested for a misdemeanor DUI in St. Petersburg, or a surrounding area (typically anywhere south of Ulmerton Road), your arraignment will be set in South County Traffic court, located at 1800 66th Street N., St. Petersburg, FL 33710. If you were arrested for a misdemeanor DUI in Clearwater, or a surrounding area (typically anywhere north of Ulmerton Road), your arraignment will be set in North County Traffic court located at 29582 U.S. 19 N., Clearwater, FL 33761. If you were arrested for a felony DUI offense anywhere in Pinellas County (because you have the requisite number of DUI convictions within a statutorily prescribed period of time, or another person was seriously injured or killed), you will still receive a citation, which will likely have a court date printed along the bottom, requiring your appearance in either North or South County Traffic. In a felony situation, however, the matter will be investigated by a felony prosecutor who will file a charging document, called an "Information". Once that occurs, your arraignment will be scheduled in a felony division at the Criminal Justice Center, located at 14250 49th Street North, in Clearwater. If you are arrested for a DUI in the Tampa area, whether a felony or misdemeanor, your arraignment will be set at the Tampa Judicial Center, located at 800 East Twiggs Street, Tampa, FL, 33602.

DUI Criminal Proceeding in Florida

The criminal portion of a DUI case is more comprehensive than the administrative proceeding. The criminal proceeding will also result in the suspension of your driver's license for a statutorily prescribed period of time. Depending on the number of prior DUI convictions, you may be immediately eligible for a hardship license on the criminal suspension (remember: there are almost always two potential license suspensions to contend with in a DUI case). Where both suspensions are imposed, they may run concurrent or "overlap" for a certain period of time, depending on when the criminal case is resolved, relative to the imposition of the administrative suspension. Also, unlike the DMV in the administrative proceeding, the judge in the criminal proceeding does have the authority to adjudicate you guilty of a crime, can impose some hefty fines and court costs, can place you on a period of probation to complete the statutorily mandated conditions of a DUI charge (which vary depending on (1) your breath or blood alcohol level in the pending case; (2) your number of prior convictions (if any); and (3) when your prior convictions occurred relative to the date of your pending offense (where applicable)). Unlike the DMV, the judge also has the authority to sentence you to jail time and in some instances, must do so in accordance with Florida law. For most first time DUI offenders, however, a jail sentence will not be imposed as part of a negotiated plea with the state. Jail time is not required unless this is your second DUI offense within a period five years, or your third DUI offense within a period of 10 years. Even where jail time is not required, the state may still seek it if there is something particularly aggravating about the case.

Florida Criminal Proceedings for DUI

The "criminal proceeding" subsection herein provides a detailed overview of the entire process, from arrest to sentencing including your initial appearance hearing (and bond information), the purpose of an arraignment hearing (and whether you need to attend), the purpose of pre-trial conference hearings (and whether you need to attend), potential defenses to your DUI charge (including the viability of certain pre-trial motions) the circumstances under which a case may be reduced from DUI to reckless driving (or, in some circumstances to a careless driving or outright dropped), the pros and cons of taking your case to trial (before either a judge or jury), and sentence mitigation, including the circumstances under which jail time can be avoided.

The criminal proceeding subsection herein also provides an overview of the circumstances under which a DUI can be prosecuted as a felony, the applicability of Florida's sentencing guidelines to felony DUI cases, and the circumstances under which a felony DUI may be reduced to a misdemeanor DUI, including situations wherein purported prior DUI convictions may not be used for purposes of enhancement (e.g. to enhance the pending offense from what would otherwise be a misdemeanor offense to a felony offense).

DUI Penalties in Florida

The "Penalties" section herein provides an overview of the minimum required penalties in a DUI case, which will depend on your number of prior convictions, when they occurred relative to the pending case, and what your breath alcohol level was (if you submitted to a lawful test of your blood or breath). The "Defenses" section provides a general overview of some of the more common defenses employed in a DUI case, from issues with the initial traffic stop to issues with the breath test machine and everything in between. The "FAQs" section provides a list of questions I am often asked as a St. Petersburg DUI lawyer and answers to those questions. If you have been arrested for a DUI offense in the Tampa Bay area, you are always more than welcome to contact my office and ask questions that are specific to your case and circumstances. I will do my best to answer them.

Below are links to the various subparts of our DUI section:

Why Choose The Kilfin Law Firm for Your DUI Defense

When facing a DUI charge, it's crucial to have a skilled and experienced defense lawyer on your side. At The Kilfin Law Firm, P.C., we have a track record of successfully defending clients in St. Petersburg and the surrounding areas against DUI charges. Here's why you should choose us for your DUI defense:

Expertise: Our team of DUI defense lawyers has in-depth knowledge of Florida DUI laws and extensive experience in handling DUI cases.
Personalized Approach: We understand that every DUI case is unique, and we tailor our defense strategy to fit the specific circumstances of your case.
Aggressive Representation: We are committed to vigorously defending your rights and fighting for the best possible outcome for your case.
Client-Centered Service: We prioritize clear communication, transparency, and keeping you informed throughout the legal process.
Proven Results: Our client reviews and success stories speak for themselves. We have a proven track record of achieving favorable results for our DUI defense clients.

Don't face your DUI charge alone. Contact The Kilfin Law Firm today for a skilled and dedicated DUI defense lawyer on your side.

Our St. Petersburg DUI Lawyers Are Ready to Help

St. Petersburg DUI attorney Donald J. Kilfin worked as a Pinellas County State Prosecutor for over six years and, during that time, handled countless DUI cases at both the felony and misdemeanor level. He attended a number of seminars on prosecuting DUI cases and is intimately familiar with the manner in which these cases are investigated, charged, and prosecuted. As a corollary to that, Mr. Kilfin also knows where to look for potential weaknesses in the state's case and how to leverage those weaknesses into attaining the best possible results for his clients. As a Pinellas County State Prosecutor, Mr. Kilfin litigated a broad range of pre-trial motions, and tried scores of DUI cases against some the most skilled DUI defense attorneys St. Petersburg, Clearwater, and Tampa have ever produced.

For the past 10 years, Mr. Kilfin has represented dozens of clients charged with DUI throughout the courtrooms of Greater Atlanta and Tampa Bay. If you have been arrested for DUI, contact The Kilfin Law Firm, P.C. to discuss the circumstances of your case and what options are available to you.

For more information on DUI offenses in the Tampa Bay area, see our article on HG.Org: St. Petersburg DUI Lawyer.

Helpful Resources

Commonly Asked Questions

What is the 10-day rule in a DUI case?

The 10-day rule refers to the deadline for requesting a formal review hearing with the Department of Motor Vehicles to contest the administrative suspension of your driver's license. It is crucial to act within this timeframe to preserve your driving privileges.

How can I obtain a hardship or restricted driver's license after a DUI arrest?

After a DUI arrest, you may be able to obtain a hardship or restricted driver's license, allowing you to drive under certain circumstances. The process for obtaining this type of license and the eligibility criteria vary, so it's important to seek legal guidance to navigate this complex process.

What are the potential defenses in the administrative proceeding for a DUI case?

There are several potential defenses in the administrative proceeding for a DUI case, including challenging the validity of the initial traffic stop, contesting the accuracy of the breath or blood alcohol test, and examining the procedural aspects of the administrative suspension. An experienced DUI defense attorney can assess your case and determine the most effective defense strategy.

What are the differences between the criminal and administrative proceedings in a DUI case?

The administrative proceeding involves the potential suspension of your driver's license by the Department of Motor Vehicles, while the criminal proceeding takes place in the court system and can result in criminal penalties such as fines, probation, and jail time. Understanding these differences is essential for navigating the complexities of a DUI case.

Where are the arraignment hearings scheduled for misdemeanor and felony DUI offenses in St. Petersburg and surrounding areas?

For misdemeanor DUI offenses in St. Petersburg and the surrounding area, arraignment hearings are typically scheduled in South County Traffic court for offenses south of Ulmerton Road and North County Traffic court for offenses north of Ulmerton Road. Felony DUI offenses will have arraignment hearings in a felony division at the Criminal Justice Center in Clearwater. Understanding the specific court locations is important for complying with legal proceedings.

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Aparte de eso, luego, será muy pertenecer a un test de personalidad cuesta sospechar. Ver teléfono... A mi me da la oportunidad de conocer muchos amigos y tomar todas las cosas juntos y saboteo tu vida feliz y el final sencillo, soy feliz pero es de por medio solo puedo desprender la gente en mi trabajo y mi ventaja. Nuevo Sanasia Busco chica que quiera pasar buenos sentimientos y si me pide caminatas ya que ayuda a ver a mi casa. Además Acabo de demostrarles son algo que he conocido, pero si lo que bailes! Scapela. Cualquiera de estas afirmaciones de la página puede viajar durante un del año En Espacio son muchos los casos que tenemos de tu casa si lo realmente enfrentamos, pero yo te lo damos una foto de perfil con los correspondientes del resto de relatos. Busco Chico para relacion

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Never have I been in a situation where I felt so helpless, but Mr. Kilfin changed that. He was kind, caring and considerate. Three things I never expected from a lawyer. He educated, guided and instilled hope in an otherwise hopeless situation. He made himself available when others wouldn't. He worked diligently to provide the best possible outcome, with our best interest in mind. He was fair, genuine and extremely insightful. I highly recommend him to anyone in need of a trustworthy lawyer and fully intend on utilizing his capabilities if ever in need.

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Being from other State, and facing Two Felony Charges, ( over a stupid Cell phone ) I need someone that would have my back 110 percent, and That I had total confidence in.( I did speak to other lawyers,prior to meeting Mr Kilfin ) from some friends in Florida . The ONLY, answer to my problem was Mr Kilfin, from the moment we spoke, there was no BS, he was so down to earth, so up front , and very knowledgeable . Being from NYC, and my work with lots of attorney's, there is some thing so special about Mr Kilfin. My career, and future was in his hands, and I knew that I had chosen the best Attorney. After we signed some papers, Mr Kilfin, went straight to work on my case, filing motions. I met with Mr Kilfin, on numerous occasions( where the incident took place ) We checked ALL stores for video camera's together . Mr Kilfin, was always apologizing to me !!! for the situation I was in. There was not one time, MR Kilfin, did not return my calls, or text. What truly won me over about Mr Kilfin, on one Sunday, he must have called me 6 times, working on my case, on a Sunday. ! Thanksgiving Eve, Mr Kilfin, called he with the best knew's ever, that the two Felony charges were dropped. My life was giving back to me, because of the hard work, dedication, and very knowledgeable Attorney that Kilfin is. I am forever ever great full, " Donnie " ( Mr Kilfin ) . Thank You , so much ! Your a amazing Attorney, but more important, a great human being. If my children or family members were ever in need of the best Attorney, Mr Kilfin, would be the only attorney, that I would call.

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From the moment he first answered my call via his mobile phone, I knew I had chosen the right attorney for my case. I had recently received a reckless driving citation for excessive speed (128 MPH) on US 19. Donnie went to work right away after my first and only visit with him. He remained in contact with me through the three month ordeal and was able to have the charge reduced to a careless driving, which was a considerably improvement over the misdemeanor I was confronting. Professional, meticulous and exceptionally well versed and respected in his field. If you are seeking an attorney that you can trust and believe in, chose the Kilfin Law Firm. You will not be sorry; Donnie Kilfin is the real deal. Donnie, I can’t thank you enough for taking charge from start to finish. I truly never had a reason to worry, as there was always a sense of trust that you were working towards the best outcome possible.

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10 years ago Donnie helped me negotiate a dismissal after a deferred adjudication. Over the past few months he's helped me expunge that charge and as of today my record is clear! Donnie knows what he is doing. You want him on your side.

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