Current Trends in DUI & Traffic
Law for Clearwater, Tampa, St Petersburg & Throughout
Florida
This
page will provide a sample of case law from the Courts
of Appeal all over the State of Florida. It is my intent
to provide information that is current, interesting and
relevant to those who visit this site. The content is
updated on a regular basis.
If
you need to speak to a traffic attorney, DUI
attorney or criminal defense
lawyer in Clearwater, St Petersburg, Tampa, or anywhere
throughout the greater Tampa Bay area, please call our
office at (727) 446-8303 or e-mail us to schedule a free
initial consultation.
Suncoast
Safety Council
The
Suncoast Safety Council is licensed by the DHSMV to provide
the DUI program for Pinellas County. The program
provides classes for both first time, and multiple DUI
offenders.
The
Council also provides a 12 hour program for Substance
Abuse Education and Life Management. The misdemeanor
Pretrial Intervention program will require this course,
in addition to a drug and alcohol assessment, for some
drug offenses.
The Council also provides monitoring services for Ignition
Interlock devices, breath-testing services, and education
for non-DUI clients.
DHSMV
– approved traffic classes provided by the Council
include:
- 12-hour
Advanced Driver Improvement course (Classroom &
Online)
-
8-hour Court–ordered Aggressive Driver course (Classroom
only)
-
8-hour Defensive Driver Improvement course (Online)
-
4-hour Basic Driver Improvement course (Classroom,
Online & DVD)
-
4-hour Drug, Alcohol & Traffic Education for First
Time Drivers (Classroom & Online)
Driving
Courses provided by the Council include:
- Individual
Driving Lessons – AAA–approved lessons for all
ages. Also provides on-road evaluations to asses drivers
who may be medically at-risk.
- Teen
Driver’s Ed – 30 hours of classroom instruction
and 6-12 hours of driving. Participants may qualify
for an insurance discount.
- 3
in 3 Crash Course – Required for drivers who were
found at-fault in 3 traffic crashes within a 3 year
period. Course consists of the 12 hour Advanced Driver
Improvement class and 4 hours of driving lessons.
- Motorcycle
Basic Rider Course – The course is required to
obtain a Florida motorcycle endorsement. Course consists
of 5 hours of classroom instruction and 10 hours of
motorcycle riding instruction and testing on a closed
motorcycle track.
For
further information, contact the Suncoast Safety Council
at: www.safety.org
or phone (727) 373-7233.
4th
DUI Conviction
4th
time offenders are now eligible for a hardship license.
Permanent license suspension no longer means permanent!
In order to obtain a hardship license, the following criteria
must be met:
1) At least 5 years must have elapsed since the most
recent date of conviction.
2) The client must not have driven within the past 5
years.
3) The client must not have been convicted for any drug
offense within the past 5 years.
4) The client must have an interlock device installed
on his/her car for the first 5 years of the hardship
license.
5) The client must submit to a program similar to that
of Special Supervision Services.
The
“Clerk’s Withhold”
This
expression refers to the withhold of adjudication that
the Clerk of Court is authorized to provide to drivers
in certain specific situations. In withholding adjudication
of guilt, the driver is permitted to settle his traffic
case without having points or a formal conviction entered
on his/her record. In order to qualify, the driver is
required to show proof of compliance to the clerk. Only
one such election is permitted within a 12 month period.
This opportunity applies to Driving:
1) Without a valid license
2) With a license expired less than 6 months
3) Without a license in personal possession
4) With a license suspended for failure to appear at
court
5) With a license suspended for failure to pay a civil
penalty (child support)
6) With a license suspended for failure to attend a
driver improvement course
7) Without a valid registration
8) Without liability insurance
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