DUI Penalties in Martin and St Lucie County

DUI Penalties in Martin and St Lucie County

If you have been arrested for DUI in Stuart, Port St. Lucie, Fort Pierce, Hobe Sound, or anywhere in Martin County or St. Lucie County, the consequences can be life-changing. Florida’s DUI laws are strict, and local prosecutors and criminal division judges in the Martin County and St. Lucie County criminal courts take these cases very seriously. This article discusses DUI penalties in Martin and St Lucie County, Florida.

At Van Riper & Nies Attorneys in Stuart, Florida, criminal defense attorney Christian Van Riper, a Martin County resident a former prosecutor in St. Lucie County, uses his experience on both sides of the courtroom to defend people charged with DUI and BUI (Boating under the Influence) along the Treasure Coast. Understanding the different levels of DUI and the penalties that may apply is a critical first step in protecting your rights.

How Florida Defines DUI

In Florida, you may be charged with Driving Under the Influence (DUI) if you are driving or in actual physical control of a vehicle while:

• Your blood alcohol concentration (BAC) is 0.08 or higher, or
• Your normal faculties are impaired by alcohol, a controlled substance, or a combination of both.

The level of the charge and potential penalties depend on your BAC, prior DUI history, and whether there was property damage, injuries, or other aggravating circumstances. These cases are prosecuted in the criminal courts in Stuart and Fort Pierce for Martin and St. Lucie County arrests.

Levels of DUI & Typical DUI Penalties in Martin and St Lucie County

First DUI – BAC Under 0.15

A first-time DUI offense with a BAC under 0.15 is usually charged as a first-degree misdemeanor. Potential penalties may include:

• Up to 6 months in jail
• Fines between approximately $500 and $1,000
• Driver’s license suspension for up to 6 months
• Mandatory DUI school and possible counseling
• Probation, community service, and vehicle impoundment

Even for a first DUI in Stuart or Port St. Lucie, the court can impose conditions that affect your job, your driver’s license, and your insurance rates.

First DUI – BAC of 0.15 or Higher, or Minor in the Vehicle

When a first-time DUI involves a BAC of 0.15 or higher, or a minor passenger, Florida law allows for enhanced penalties, which may include:

• Up to 9 months in jail
• Fines typically range from $1,000 to $2,000
• Longer license suspension periods
• Mandatory installation of an ignition interlock device

These enhanced penalties are commonly seen in DUI cases arising from stops on I-95, the Florida Turnpike, US-1, and local roads in Martin and St. Lucie Counties.

Second DUI Offense

A second DUI conviction, especially if it occurs within five years of the first, increases exposure to jail time and mandatory license revocation. Penalties may include:

• Up to 9 months in jail (or more with certain aggravating factors)
• Fines between approximately $1,000 and $2,000 or more
• License suspension or revocation that can last up to 5 years in some circumstances
• Longer mandatory ignition interlock requirements

A second DUI in Martin or St. Lucie County can also affect your ability to obtain certain professional licenses or maintain security clearances.

Third DUI & Felony DUI

A third DUI within 10 years of a prior conviction may be charged as a third-degree felony. Felony DUI greatly increases the stakes:

• Up to 5 years in Florida State Prison
• Fines up to $5,000
• License revocation for up to 10 years

Where a DUI crash causes serious bodily injury or death, the prosecutor can file even more serious felony charges, with the potential for substantial prison time and a permanent felony record.

DUI with Property Damage or Personal Injury

A DUI that involves a crash in Stuart, Port St. Lucie, Fort Pierce, Hobe Sound, or surrounding areas
can lead to additional charges:

• DUI with Property Damage: typically a misdemeanor, with fines, restitution, and possible jail time.
• DUI with Personal Injury: can be charged as a felony, carrying the risk of prison and a permanent felony record.

Aggravating Factors That Can Increase DUI Penalties

Certain facts often seen in Treasure Coast DUI arrests can increase the severity of the penalties:

• High BAC (well above 0.08, especially 0.15 or higher)
• Minor child in the vehicle
• Excessive speed or reckless driving
• Refusal to submit to breath, blood, or urine testing after a prior refusal
• Prior DUI convictions or related criminal record

The presence of aggravating factors can influence both the prosecutor’s filing decision and the judge’s sentencing decision in Martin and St. Lucie County courts.

Why Local Experience Matters in Martin & St. Lucie County DUI Cases

Every DUI case is unique, but local knowledge of the courts, prosecutors, and procedures in Stuart, Port St. Lucie, Fort Pierce, and the surrounding communities is beneficial.

Christian Van Riper, the DUI defense attorney at Van Riper & Nies Attorneys, is a former prosecutor in St. Lucie County. Having previously handled DUI prosecutions, he understands:

• How law enforcement conducts DUI investigations and roadside tests
• How breath test and blood test evidence is gathered and challenged
• What issues may persuade prosecutors to reduce or dismiss charges
• What arguments may be most effective at motion hearings and trial

This experience is especially important if you were arrested for DUI after a traffic stop in Stuart, Jensen Beach, Palm City, Port St. Lucie, Fort Pierce, or Hobe Sound.

How a DUI Defense Attorney Can Help

If you are facing a DUI in Martin or St. Lucie County, it is important to speak with an experienced DUI defense lawyer as early as possible. Your DUI attorney can:

• Review the traffic stop, field sobriety exercises, and arrest for legal errors
• Challenge the reliability of breath or blood test results
• Investigate whether your rights were violated at any point
• Negotiate with the State for reduced charges or alternative resolutions where appropriate
• Prepare and present your defense at motion hearings or trial if necessary

A DUI conviction can affect your driver’s license, your employment, your insurance rates, and your reputation. Getting experienced legal help is one of the most important decisions you can make after a DUI arrest on the Treasure Coast.

Contact Van Riper & Nies Attorneys in Stuart, Florida 24/7

If you or a loved one has been charged with DUI in Stuart, Port St. Lucie, Fort Pierce, Hobe Sound, or the surrounding Treasure Coast communities, we invite you to contact Van Riper & Nies Attorneys at 772-283-8712 to discuss your rights and options. Free consultations are available 24/7.