AGGRESSIVE DEFENSE & DEDICATED REPRESENTATION Our Panama City Firm Has Much to Offer. Learn Why People Choose Shepard Law. Call today

First Time DUI Charges in Panama City

Charged with a 1st Time DUI? Take action to fight back.

A first time DUI is an extremely frightening experience. This is often the first interaction that the accused person has ever had with law enforcement and the criminal justice system. Whether your charges took place at a sobriety checkpoint or you were pulled over due to some alleged unsafe driving behavior or another minor infraction, the situation is extremely dangerous legally.

There are many people who don't realize that there could be real options to resolve the case favorably, whether in a full dismissal, reduced charge or an acquittal. The first action to take after an arrest is to contact Shepard Law in Panama City. The firm has a reputation for excellent defense work and should review your situation on an immediate basis.

Defending First Time DUI Charges

The first thing you are going to want to do to protect yourself from DUI charges is teaming up with a trustworthy Panama City DUI lawyer from our firm. With our legal insight into your DUI charges, we can get a clear picture of what led to your arrest and begin identifying any errors that could have been made in police procedure. It is not uncommon for a significant error to have taken place, whether in a rights violation in the initial police stop, conflicting reports from officers or eyewitnesses, or a failure to correctly administer field sobriety tests. Any problem with police procedure could end up rendering consequently collect evidence as inadmissible.

We will also want to consider reasons why you may have failed a field sobriety test that do not involve intoxication. There are many reasons a person could fail the tests, including nervousness, physical problems, an inability to understand the language of the officer correctly, medical issues, or simply fear of the situation. How the tests are administered and the circumstances surrounding your arrest can be of critical importance to your case. Allow our Panama City first time DUI lawyer to review all of the evidence to look for the weak points that could be exploited in a defense case.

Understanding DUI Penalties in Panama City

There are extensive DUI penalties that can be imposed by the court in a first time DUI conviction. The dangers of suffering significant financial losses, lose the ability to drive a vehicle legally, as well as having permanent damage to your criminal record are very real.

The law allows for certain penalties to be imposed in a 1st time DUI. These include:

  • Fines – up to $500
  • Community Service – 50 hours
  • Probation – up to 1 year
  • Jail time – up to 6 months
  • Jail time if minor in vehicle – up to 9 months
  • License revocation – minimum 180 days
  • DUI school – 12 hours

Underage drivers charged with DUI will be subject to the state's "zero tolerance" law. A person under the age of 21 will have other penalties imposed if the BAL level is .02 or higher.

At Shepard Law, you can expect to be represented by a highly experienced and qualified criminal defense lawyer with years of success in court. The attorneys at Shepard Law have worked within the criminal justice system in the area, and have established strong relationships with the personnel in the various courts in the area. They are skilled communicators that have the ability to negotiate and seek a favorable reduction in charges when it is appropriate. As a former prosecutors, they possess a great deal of knowledge on how the "other side" operates and what factors could benefit a person accused of a first time DUI.

Having served on over 6,000 criminal cases, you will be hard pressed to find a more experienced defense team. As a first time DUI offense is not minor, you should do everything possible to try to avoid a conviction. The record of your conviction will be easy for any person to discover when doing a background check, whether a potential employer, landlord, business partner or even a relationship partner. These are serious matters, as your personal and professional reputation can be heavily compromised if you are convicted.


Call Shepard Law Now for Aggressive DUI Defense in Panama City!


What Sets Shepard Law Apart?

  • Available 24/7
  • Former Prosecutor
  • Free Initial Consultation
  • Over Two Decades of Experience
  • Superb Rating on Avvo
  • Handled 5000+ Cases
  • “Rusty is very personable and accommodating. He made himself available on short notice and met with me after hours. He told me not to worry and got everything dismissed in court this morning! Thank you Rusty and Lisa!!!

    - Lauren F.
  • “The best part is that they were able to get the case dropped. If you want the best, then you need to go with Shepard Law.”

    - Steve C.
  • “They gained my trust day one working with them. Everyone here are wonderful at what they do. And anytime I had a question, I sent them an email, and they would call me by close of the business day.”

    - Raymond V.
/

Defending your rights
and your future

  • Please enter your first name.
  • Please enter your last name.
  • Please enter your phone number.
    This isn't a valid phone number.
  • Please enter your email address.
    This isn't a valid email address.
  • Please make a selection.
  • Please enter a message.
  • By submitting, you agree to be contacted about your request & other information using automated technology. Message frequency varies. Msg & data rates may apply. Text STOP to cancel. Acceptable Use Policy