DUI Defense Attorney – Okaloosa County & Walton County
Perhaps you have endured the nightmare that comes with being arrested for Driving Under the Influence (DUI).
You may have been here on vacation, or a member of the military, or perhaps you are a local resident.
No matter what your situation, you may be fearful of how a DUI conviction and the resulting penaltieswill affect your ability to drive your career and your future. Please do not hesitate to contact me, Shawn Lupella.
As DUI Attorneys, we focus on DUI defense and criminal defense litigation…. and consider ourselves to be two of the best in Destin, Fort Walton Beach and elsewhere in Okaloosa County & Walton County.
We will fight for the best possible result in your individual case, just like we’ve done for thousands over the years.
Your goal is a reduction or dismissal of the DUI, even if it’s your second or third.
It is our goal to get a lesser charge or the DUI thrown out too. Call us today for a free consultation: (850) 362-6655.
DRUNK DRIVING IN OKALOOSA COUNTY – WHAT IS AT STAKE
As you may already be aware, you have TWO major areas of concern when dealing with a misdemeanor or felony DUI arrest: your charges in the County Court system and the status of your Driver’s License with the Florida DHSMV and driving privileges.
The first, and most important, is the DUI charge in the court system. The result here will determine whether or not you are convicted for DUI or if your charges will be reduced or dismissed because of a mistake the police made or some other defense strategy.
The court result will have a direct impact on your criminal record.
That is why our primary focus is on the court related litigation of your case, because the end result is the most important.
The second area of concern is your ability to drive and keep your Driver’s License. Here in Florida, just like almost any other state, we need to be able to drive in order to work, go to school, and simply live.
Because a Drunk Driving arrest or breath test refusal can subject your to a Driver’s License suspension or ignition interlock penalty, it is important that you know what options are available so that we can maximize your ability to drive.
RETAINING A QUALITY DUI ATTORNEY EARLY IN THE PROCESS IS CRITICAL
The sooner we are able to get started on your case, the sooner we can start working toward helping you get the best possible result, especially if you’ve been arrested for a DUI with Injury or Property Damage or DUI Manslaughter.
Having an experienced and knowledgeable DUI Defense Attorney on your case, at a fair cost, is important if you want to maximize driving privileges while doing everything under the law to avoid a DUI conviction that would otherwise be a permanent blemish on your criminal record.
We offer representation on all types of DUI (Driving Under the Influence) charges, from misdemeanors to 3rd offense felonies. We also know how to challenge prior convictions of DUI in order to help avoid potential minimum mandatory jail sentences on a Felony.
Your Ability To Drive After A DUI In Okaloosa County and The 10 Day Rule
Sometimes after a failed field sobriety test or BAC test, the police officers tell you about the 10 day rule, sometimes you have to find out for yourself, but either way, the clock is ticking on your driver’s license privileges! What this means is that you only have 10 calendar days from your arrest date to request one of two options:
- Formal Review Hearing in the Okaloosa County Court for arrests in Fort Walton Beach, Destin or elsewhere in Okaloosa County. Legally challenge the validity of the Driver’s License Suspension in an administrative review hearing.
- If you have no prior DUI arrests, you may apply for the “Waiver Review” process which waives your formal claim to challenge the DUI suspension, but gives you the incentive of being able immediately reinstate your ability to drive for business or hardship purposes with no “hard no driving” or “hard suspension” period.
During your free initial consultation, we can discuss these two administrative review options and we can advise you, based on your individual needs and circumstances, to make an informed decision that will best suit your individual situation.
LEGAL REPRESENTATION AT YOUR DUI IN OKALOOSA COUNTY AT EVERY CRITICAL STAGE
We will personally handle your case at every critical stage, from start to finish. Our representation includes:
- Defending your Driver’s License at the formal review hearing with the Florida DHSMV (Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles) or facilitating in the waiver review process if you elect for an extended hardship permit.
- Filing the necessary court documents to satisfy your initial court date (plea day or arraignment) to negate the necessity of your appearance. (This is imperative if you are from out of town or were visiting on vacation.)
- Demanding all evidence, including arrest reports and radio logs, breath testing machine inspection reports, witness statements, and videos.
- Filing all pre-trial motions and setting hearings for any legal or factual issue that could potentially lead to a reduction in charges or a dismissal, such as an illegal stop for faulty equipment.
- Engaging in meaningful negotiations with the State prosecutor to get the best plea offer possible for the client’s consideration; or proceeding to a jury trial to fight for a NOT GUILTY verdict.
Lupella & Rehr is an aggressive DUI Defense law firm and serves the communities of Fort Walton Beach, Destin, Sandestin, Santa Rosa Beach, Navarre, Niceville, Mary Esther, Crestview, Defuniak Springs and throughout Okaloosa County, Walton County, and Santa Rosa County.
More Information About DUI Arrests, Court & Procedures
- First DUI
- Is It Possible To Get A DUI in Destin, Fort Walton Beach or Okaloosa County Dismissed Or Reduced?
- How Do You Get A DUI Charge Reduced or Dismissed In Okaloosa County?
- What Are The Potential Penalties For A Misdemeanor DUI in Okaloosa County & Walton County, Florida?
- Field Sobriety Tests For DUI Stops In Okaloosa County & Walton County
- What Happens After A DUI Arrest in Okaloosa County or Walton County, FL
- Do I Need A Lawyer For A DUI In Florida?
- Second DUI
- Third DUI & Repeat Offenses
- Felony DUI
- License Suspension
- Under 21 DUI
- General DUI Defense