Jul 3, 2025
Florida DUI Attorney

In the state of Florida, DUI is a punishable crime that could result in severe consequences like license revocation, expensive fines, and prison time. However, you may wonder, “What is a DUI attorney, and do I need one?”

The short answer is yes. A DUI Attorney only deals with individuals who are charged with driving while intoxicated. They know all of the Florida DUI laws backwards and forwards, in and out, and they are experienced at handling all of the legal challenges that can arise during a prosecution.

This article will explain what a DUI attorney does, why you must hire one, and how Manderscheid Law Firm can keep your future safe.

What Types of Things Do DUI Attorneys Handle?

The question, “What is a DUI attorney?” can best be answered by considering what they do to help their clients. A DUI lawyer is a criminal law attorney who represents individuals who are charged with driving under the influence of drugs, alcohol, or a combination of both.

DUI laws in Florida are harsh. A motorist may be charged with DUI if their Blood Alcohol Content (BAC) is 0.08% or greater. However, impairment charges are still applicable if you blow under the limit. Just another reason why you need an experienced DUI attorney working for you.

Many DUI attorneys have a few main things that they do pretty much every single day.

Manderscheid Law Firm focuses on criminal defense in Florida. After all, if you have been charged with DUI, then you need an attorney who is 100% dedicated to defending your rights within the criminal justice system.

Why You Should Never Fight DUI Charges Alone?

While some believe they can manage a DUI case without an attorney, the effects of such a decision may be longstanding and severe. 

Types of Florida DUI Penalties

  • One-year (or longer if this is a repeat offense) license suspension
  • Up to a $5,000 fine
  • Mandatory DUI education programs
  • IIDs Installation
  • Possible (but unlikely) jail time, from a few days to several months
  • A permanent criminal record

First-time offenders can still start with a clean slate. Like many courts in Florida, there’s a willingness to enforce mandatory minimums, and prosecutors have an incentive to push cases forward. Without an experienced advocate on your side, it is entirely possible to lose valuable opportunities for getting charges reduced or even dropped.

A DUI lawyer has useful experience in recognizing hurdles for the prosecution, preparing motions that need to be filed on your behalf, and arguing before judges and juries that you are innocent.

Manderscheid Law Firm, PLLC, comes to the table with years of comprehensive experience in Florida DUI laws and a very strong history of standing up for their clients. We comprehend the system, know the prosecutors, and can put your case in the best posture for a great outcome.

What are Some Typical Approaches That a DUI Lawyer Will Take to Defend

The second example of how to know whether a DUI attorney is indeed a real DUI attorney entails seeing how they build a defense. Although no two cases are the same, here are a few factors that your attorney may consider as potential defenses:

Unlawful Traffic Stop

Evidence obtained afterward may be inadmissible if the officer did not have a reason to pull you over or stop you.

Breathalyzer Or Field Sobriety Tests

All breath testers must be properly calibrated and serviced. Either way is fine, but if it wasn’t, then it’s likely the results aren’t reliable.

Medical Conditions or Medications

However, certain medical conditions or medications may resemble symptoms of impairment and/or cause discrepancies in the breathing test results.

Inaccurate Police Reports

The least significant but most damaging are some inaccuracies that may be present in the arrest report, which could weaken the prosecution’s case.

At Manderscheid Law Firm, we thoroughly examine each case and tailor a defense to meet the specific needs of our clients. There are no cookie-cutter solutions here — our defense is tailored to your case.

penalty for drunk driving

The Dangers of Representing Yourself or Procrastinating

What Makes Manderscheid Law Firm, PLLC Different

So, not only are you asking yourself “what is a DUI attorney,” but how you find one that is right for your case, just remember to look at these three key factors: expertise, commitment, and specialization.

The Manderscheid Law Firm, PLLC, focuses solely on criminal defense. Family law, personal injury, and appeals. No, this means that we have a heightened amount of experience and attention for DUI cases in particular. Florida DUI laws are frequently changing, and an attorney experienced with the trends of law enforcement and court decisions is necessary.

We do not make false promises. We will not describe ourselves as “certified,” nor will we use terms like “experts”, both of which would be contrary to the Florida Bar opinions. We do guarantee what we will not promise you, but we certainly offer candid, skilled, and informed advocacy to preserve your interests and prospects.

When you call us, you will speak to an attorney who will listen to your story, inform you of your options, and help walk you through the legal process.

When to Contact a DUI Attorney

When you have been charged with drinking under the influence, quick action is important. Florida provides you with only 10 days from the date of your arrest to challenge your license suspension by requesting a formal review hearing through the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles.

The longer you wait to get in touch with a DUI lawyer, the more time will go by for evidence to become destroyed or concealed, and legal motions that must be filed are forgotten or filed late.

If this is your first DUI, or even if you have some experience with the system, we are here to assist. Our goal is to safeguard your rights and prevent a single misstep from defining the rest of your life.

What Are DUI Attorneys?

In summary, a DUI attorney is are criminal defense lawyers that specialize in representing individuals charged with driving under the influence. Their duties include reviewing police arrests, negotiating with prosecutors, and arguing in court. If you are accused of DUI in Florida, your choice of defense attorney is a critically important decision.

Manderscheid Law Firm, PLLC, is a criminal defense law firm dedicated exclusively to meeting the needs of individuals like you who find themselves faced with navigating the turbulent and often unsettling legal process. You do not have to go at it alone, and you should not.

Defend Your Rights Now

If you have been arrested for DUI in Florida, the time to start looking into a criminal attorney is now. The legal clock has already started ticking. Call the Manderscheid Law Firm, PLLC, for a confidential consultation and to see how we can defend your license, your freedom, and your future.