Facing a DUI Conviction in Panama City, Florida?

Shepard Law Knows How to Help You After You've Been Arrested

When you have been arrested for drinking and driving or driving under the influence of drugs in Panama City, you have only ten days to act to protect your driver's license from being suspended. Under Florida's ten-day rule, your license will be subject to an automatic administrative revocation unless you take action now. Depending on the circumstances of your case — including whether you refused chemical testing or tested over the legal limit, and whether this is a first or subsequent offense — you can lose your driving privilege for anywhere from 180 days to a full year, causing serious disruption in your personal life and potentially making it difficult or impossible for you to commute to work. Perhaps the most effective step you can take toward defending your license is to contact for dedicated legal representation.

Why Shepard Law Is Prepared to Fight Your DUI Charge

Facing a DUI charge in Bay County can feel overwhelming, but you do not have to navigate the Florida legal system alone. Building a meaningful defense requires a deep understanding of local court procedures, law enforcement protocols, and the scientific methods used in chemical testing.

At Shepard Law, our approach to defense is grounded in firsthand experience on both sides of the courtroom.

A Former Prosecutor's Perspective

Founding attorney Rusty Shepard served as an assistant state attorney in Florida's 14th Judicial Circuit. Having prosecuted criminal cases, our team understands the exact strategies, filing timelines, and evidentiary thresholds used by local prosecutors. We know where prosecutors look for leverage, and where weaknesses in their cases typically hide.

Decades of Local Court Experience

With thousands of criminal defense cases handled across Panama City and North Florida, we bring practical courtroom experience to every stage of your defense — from initial DMV license suspension hearings to jury trials.

Thorough Investigation of Police Procedure

A strong defense often hinges on the details. We scrutinize every phase of your stop and arrest, asking critical questions:

• Did law enforcement have valid probable cause to initiate the traffic stop?
• Were standardized field sobriety tests administered in strict accordance with National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) guidelines?
• Was the breathalyzer or blood testing equipment properly calibrated and maintained?

A Track Record Built on Real Results

Every DUI case involves a unique set of facts, and past performance does not guarantee a specific future outcome. However, our firm's extensive background in criminal defense has led to meaningful resolutions for clients facing severe allegations across Bay County.

Representative DUI defense outcomes:

• Negotiated Plea in High-Stakes DUI Offenses: In a high-exposure DUI manslaughter case carrying a potential 15-year prison sentence and permanent license revocation, detailed case preparation allowed our team to negotiate an outcome resulting in probation and hardship driving eligibility.
• Pre-Trial Dismissals & Charge Reductions: By identifying improper stop procedures and challenging the validity of field sobriety test results, we routinely push for full case dismissals or reductions to lesser offenses like reckless driving before trial.
• Probation & Diversion Resolutions: For first-time offenders, we frequently leverage early intervention strategies to help clients preserve their driving privileges and complete diversion programs that keep their records clear.

Whether you are facing a first-offense DUI, a high-BAC charge, or a felony DUI allegation, Shepard Law brings the local knowledge, trial readiness, and personal dedication needed to safeguard your rights.

Case results depend on the specific facts and legal circumstances of each matter. Prior results do not guarantee or predict a similar outcome in any future case.