Drunk Driving On Federal Property
If you’re charged with drinking and driving, your rights and reputation are on the line. If convicted, you could be sentenced to jail and will lose your voting rights and your right to own a gun. If you or a family member were arrested for drunk driving on federal property, you should understand the potential outcomes of your case. Here’s what you need to know.
Federal DUI: What Is It?
Driving under the influence in Florida becomes a federal matter when a person is caught driving drunk or otherwise operating their vehicle while inebriated on federal land. For example, airports, post offices, national monuments and parks, and military bases are all considered federal land.
It’s untrue that the consequences of a federal DUI are inherently more severe than with state charges like many people think. The severity of the penalties you face will generally be dictated by the egregiousness of your actions and/or other circumstances that are unique to your case.
Penalties You May Face and Defenses Your Attorney May Use
A DUI is treated as a class B misdemeanor by federal law. If successfully convicted, you stand to look at six (6) months in federal prison and a maximum fine of $5,000. Even a misdemeanor will impact your criminal record, which potentially affects your education, your ability to get certain jobs, and your relationships.
How your attorney defends you and what legal strategy they use will also be determined by the facts of your case. For example, if the police had no viable reason to pull you over, to begin with, your lawyer may be able to have the case dismissed entirely.
Or, you may face reduced charges if your attorney can prove that the officers who arrested you did not conduct field sobriety or breathalyzer testing accurately. Any evidence not collected using proper procedures may be thrown out of court, weakening the prosecution’s case against you. Which defense strategy is ideal differs from case to case.
When to Reach Out to a Florida Criminal Lawyer for Help
Okaloosa County DUI Lawyer T. Martin Knopes understands how frightening it can be to face criminal charges and is dedicated to providing each of his clients with a zealous defense. Don’t hesitate to get the legal help you need to protect your rights by calling (850) 683-0700.