Protecting Your Constitutional Rights in Florida
When you are facing criminal charges, it is important to turn to an experienced criminal defense attorney to protect your future. At the Florida Law Office of John F. Greene, I have 25 years of experience in the courtroom and have a comprehensive understanding of trial procedure, the rules of evidence and effective advocacy skills. When you hire me, I will be with you from start to finish, protecting your rights.
Fighting Misdemeanor and Felony Charges
If you have been charged with a crime in Florida, I will aggressively protect your constitutional rights. I will challenge every aspect of the criminal charges you face and force the prosecutor to prove every element of the offense:
- Were the appropriate criminal procedures followed?
- Was the arrest based on probable cause?
- Were you properly advised of your rights during the arrest?
- Was all evidence and testimony properly admitted or excluded?
Having handled a broad range of felony and misdemeanor offenses in the federal, state and juvenile courts throughout Northwest Florida, I will help you understand the consequences you are facing and give you an honest assessment of your case.
In the past two decades, I have defended my clients against charges such as drunk driving (DUI and DWI), homicide, sex offenses, white collar crimes, theft, robbery, embezzlement and juvenile matters. I advocate for my clients charged with all types of drug offenses, including simple possession, cultivation and manufacturing, and drug trafficking, in both federal and state courts.
Protecting You Against DUI and BUI Charges in Florida
DUI and drug offenses are aggressively enforced in Okaloosa and Walton County. If you are stopped for suspicion of DUI, you have the right to refuse the field sobriety tests, as well as the Breathalyzer, unless there has been an accident involving serious injury or death.
Enforcement of DUI is by criminal prosecution in the County Court and administratively by the Department of Motor Vehicles.
- The penalties for a first conviction is imprisonment for 6 months. However, most offenders are instead placed on probation for one year and ordered to pay a fine of not less than $500 or more than $1000, plus court costs, to submit to a substance abuse evalutation, perform 50 hours of community service, and impoundment of your vehicle for 10 days.
- For a second conviction, the penalties are enhanced, to imprisonment of 9 months, a fine of not less than $1000, nor more than $2000, installation of an ignition interlock device, and impoundment for 30 days.
Refusal to submit to a breath test will result in the DMV suspending driving privileges for a period of one year or for a period of 18 months if driving privileges have been previously suspended. A driver who submits to a breath or blood test and has a blood alcohol level of .08 or higher will have their driving privileges suspended for a period of 6 months for a first offense or for a period of 1 year if driving privileges have been previously suspended.
The 10 Day Rule allows a driver to request a formal hearing to review the suspension by the DMV within 10 days after your arrest and issuance of the notice of suspension.
A person whose driver's license is suspended may apply for issuance of a hardship license for business or employment purposes. When the suspension is for failure to submit to a breath or blood test, a hardship license may be applied for after 90 days. If the suspension is for a blood alcohol level of .08 or higher, a hardship license may be applied for after 30 days.
Protect Your Rights Today
When you are facing DUI of BUI charges, it is important to turn to an experienced lawyer for guidance. Contact me to schedule an initial consultation. I will thoroughly investigate your situation and work to have the charges against you dismissed or minimize the consequences.
Put Experience to work on Your Side
A criminal conviction can seriously impact your future. In addition to the high fines and possible jail time, a conviction may make it difficult to get a job in the future and can strain your relationships with friends and family.
As an experienced lawyer, I will fight for you in negotiation and in the courtroom to have the charges against you dismissed or reduced and to minimize the impact of the situation on your future. Contact me online or call 850-424-6833 to schedule a consultation.
Law Office of John F. Greene
4507 Furling Lane
Suite 210
Destin, FL 32541
Telephone: 850-424-6833 | Fax: 850-837-1969
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