When you face arrest for a DUI (driving under influence) criminal charge, the first, and most important, thing to do is get a lawyer. Florida laws outline serious consequences for drunk drivers, and if you wish to get out of the legal mess, it is wise to talk to a criminal lawyer. In Florida, if you face conviction, the details stay on your criminal record forever.

The circumstances dictate the criminal status of the case. Suppose you cause property damage while driving drunk in Fort Pierce. If arrested, you could face a 1st degree misdemeanor charge. The matter becomes even more serious when:

• Serious injury occurs to another (3rd degree felony)
• Death occurs to another (1st/2nd degree felony, as per the instance)
• Consequent third violation within the span of 10 years (3rd degree felony)

The penalties vary from one Fort Pierce incident to the other. However, the common ones include jail term, fines, license revocation, installation of ignition interlock device, enrolment to alcohol abuse program, and so on. Moreover, every time a background check is done, the record comes up to the forefront.

You do not have the legal expertise to come up with a solid defense strategy and therefore, need to seek legal counsel now. Get in touch with a Fort Pierce criminal lawyer if you ever face DUI charges. Only when the matter is taken up at its early stages, is it easier to reach a resolution early.