DUI Property Damage

Most people are aware that driving under the influence (DUI) convictions result in stiff penalties. What most people do not know is that when there is property damage involved, the penalties can increase dramatically, even in first-time offenses. If you have been charged with a Sarasota DUI and property damage has been added to the list of accusations against you, you should contact a skilled Sarasota DUI attorney at Musca Law as soon as possible. Our team of professionals can help protect your rights.

According to recent statistics, 40 percent of all car crashes involving a fatality are caused by alcohol impairment. Many auto accidents resulting in personal injury are caused by DUI. As a result of activities from political lobbyists and anti-DUI organizations, the Florida penalties have become quite harsh against those convicted of DUI. When property damage is involved, you can land in jail for up to 12 months with a fine of $1,000. First-time offenders without the added property damage charges face 6 months of jail time and a $500 penalty. If you are facing such charges, contact a Sarasota DUI lawyer as soon as possible, even if the property damage is to your own vehicle.

What Are Your Options?

A skilled Sarasota DUI attorney can offer a host of DUI property damage defenses in a Sarasota County court of law. We can help to reduce the stiff penalties often enforced in this type of DUI conviction. Our aggressive Sarasota DUI lawyers can challenge evidence stemming from the law enforcement agency’s accident report. For example, information in it may have been obtained illegally. Drivers are often granted immunity during vehicle crash investigations.

The prosecution must prove that you were actually the one driving at the time of the incident. When there are no eyewitnesses, the prosecuting attorney may not be able to prove his case. Our experienced Sarasota DUI attorneys at Musca Law may employ a number of other defenses, such as improper administration of DUI tests. Roadside sobriety testing that takes place soon after a traffic accident is sometimes excluded from evidence. Those involved in the accident are usually shaken up by the impact. It may be difficult to prove that the driver’s poor results in sobriety or breath testing was not caused by the emotional and physical impact of the incident, as opposed to the influence of alcohol. Air bags and other impacts can affect you as well.
There are a host of DUI property damage defenses that may help reduce the charges against you or have the case dismissed. Our Sarasota DUI attorneys will carefully orchestrate your defense. Contact us today.