If a police officer has arrested you on DUI charges in Florida, you may wonder what your next steps should be. You must prepare for court, find ways to mitigate the charges and follow through on sentencing.
Prepare for court
The first thing that you should do after being arrested for drunk driving is to prepare for court. You must decide if you will plead guilty or try to get out of the charges. Furthermore, you should determine what you will wear to this important event.
Follow the judge’s orders
If the judge finds you guilty, then be sure to follow what he tells you to do. In Florida, the first time you are found guilty of DUI, you may need to pay a fine, take counseling or surrender your driver’s license. Whatever the judge orders, follow through, so you do not get even more charges added.
Decide if you need to obtain a hardship license
You may be eligible for a hardship license if you need to drive as part of your job or to get to work. You will first need to enroll in a DUI school. Then, bring your proof of enrollment to the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles Administrative Review office and pay the fee. Then, get your license.
Change your car insurance
Following a DUI arrest, you may find that your car insurance rate increases dramatically. Therefore, you may need to obtain an SR-22 insurance certificate.
After being found guilty of DUI by a judge, you need to follow the judge’s instructions, which may include getting a hardship license, special insurance and attending counseling.