There are several various ways in which The State of Florida defines a commercial vehicle. A vehicle with a weight heavier than twenty-thousand pounds, for registration purposes, is said to be commercial, while any vehicle designed to transport more than fourteen passengers is designated as commercial, too.

In Florida, a driving under the influence (DUI) charge for a commercial driver and vehicle is handled different than a regular DUI. One of the main differences is that Florida law has enacted certain standards for commercial vehicle operators, which call for zero tolerance with respect to blood alcohol level. Thus, even though a commercial operator may be well below consideration as to actual impairment, with a blood alcohol content level of even the low .01, a commercial operator could be arrested and charged with a DUI charge. In addition, and as a direct result of that same law, penalties, fines and charges are also higher at .04 or above for commercial vehicle drivers. Thus, it is easy to understand that the stakes are high for commercial operators who have been charged with a DUI – careers and livelihood are on the line. Convicted commercial drivers run the risk of losing their driving privileges permanently.

If you or a loved one have been charged with a commercial DUI charge, it is important that you immediately discuss your rights with an experienced Fort Lauderdale DUI Attorney. The attorneys at Musca Law are prepared to walk you through the options.

What Happens After A DUI Arrest?, After you are arrested on charges of DUI, you are required to pay a bond for securing bail. You can pay the full amount of the bond or appoint a commercial bail bondsman to pay the sum on your behalf. If the latter is the case, you are required to pay a percentage of the bond money to the bondsman as a non-refundable fee. In case you pay the bond amount, you are liable to get a refund of the entire amount if you are acquitted by the Court. In case somebody other than the bail bondsman pays the amount, you are advised to have the individual assign the rights of the bond to you once he gets reimbursed. This entire process of assignment is conducted efficiently by a Fort Lauderdale DUI Lawyer.

After you are arrested, you will be notified through a mail about the date fixed for appearing at the Court. At the time of your appearance at the Court, you will be required to file a plea of either guilty, not guilty, or no contest. It is always advisable to plead not guilty as you may affect your chances of contesting the evidence, the right to file motions, and exert your rights. By pleading not guilty, you are entitled to be represented by an Attorney who will investigate whether your rights were violated by the Police. The Defense Counsel is given adequate time to investigate all that occurred prior to the arrest, so that they can defend the accused. An experienced Fort Lauderdale DUI Lawyer will proceed with the motion to suppress evidence before your DUI trial. The issues raised in the motion to suppress evidence include whether your rights were violated, the Police Officers had sufficient cause to arrest you, whether your statement was in violation of the Miranda Rights, or the samples of your urine or the breath test was properly conducted.