Panama City DUI Attorney

Fight Your DUI Charges! Call (850) 215-5200 Today.

Panama City has one of the highest per capita DUI rates in the country. Many people who have been arrested for driving under the influence give-up on fighting the charge and holding the state to the burden of proving the case. In the face of evidence such as a failed field sobriety test or a breath/blood test which demonstrates a blood alcohol concentration ("BAC") above .08%, many people believe there is no way to avoid a DUI conviction.

How Can I Avoid a DUI Conviction?

On the other hand, a plea to a DUI carries many mandatory penalties including steep fines, drivers license suspension, installation of an ignition interlock devise on your vehicle, community service hours, and the possibility of jail time (of course there your insurance company will likely dramatically increase of your rates). The truth is that it is possible to challenge any DUI case and in many cases, the circumstances surrounding the case lead to a good defense.

Further, it is not uncommon to have a DUI case reduced from a DUI to Reckless Driving once a good defense is presented to the prosecutor.

Proven Strategies to Fight DUI Charges

There are many tactics that are specific to defending against the charge of driving under the influence of alcohol and/or drugs.

No matter how dire the situation may appear, as experienced former prosecutors, Mr. Shepard approaches DUI cases with the goal of having the DUI charge dismissed, reduced, or to attain a "Not Guilty" verdict at jury trial.

DUI Penalties

The penalties can be enhanced in cases where the defendant has a blood alcohol concentration above .15% or is accused of causing injury in an accident, while the punishment for a second, third or fourth DUI is gradually increased to the point of being a felony with a maximum sentence of five years in prison and a permanent license revocation.

Field Sobriety Tests

If you are pulled over or a suspected DUI, the officer is likely going to perform one of the 3 Standardized Field Sobriety Tests (SFST):

• Horizontal Gaze Nystagmus (HGN) test - For this test the officer will observe the eyes of the person as they slowly move a pen or small object back and forth to look for indicators in each eye that the person is impaired.
• Walk-and-turn test - For this test, the officer instructs the person to take about nine steps, touching heel-to-toe in a straight line and the return back. The officer is looking for signs that the person is impaired such as not being able to keep their balance, starting before the instructions are finished or not following the instructions properly.
• One-leg stand test - For this test, the officer instructs the person to stand on one foot and hold this pose for about 30 seconds or until told to put it down. The officer looks for signs of impairment such as swaying, hoping or using their arms to balance.

Call for Your Free Evaluation and Qualified Legal Guidance

Whether this is your first arrest or if you have a prior conviction on your record, you cannot afford to take any chances with the situation. Our attorneys have handled more than 6,000 criminal cases and are ready in your defense!

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Additional Resources:

• I Got A DUI On Spring Break - What Do I Do?
• Important Information for Drivers Arrested for DUI
• First-Time Offender DUI Sentencing Requirements