Most people these days are aware that driving while under the influence (DUI)  can carry with it some very stiff penalties, by itself. What a lot of people do not understand is that when DUI is compounded by some sort of (accidental or not) property damage or personal injuries, the penalties can be doubled, even for first-offenses. If your Fort Lauderdale DUI included some or any form of property damage, even if it was limited to just your own vehicle, then it’s VERY important to contact Musca Law right away.

Statistics indicate, and police are well-aware, that as many as forty-percent of car crashes that involve a fatality are the result of alcohol. Likewise, many of the crashes that produce personal injury are later proven to be the result of DUI. Because of these numbers, high-profile accident cases, and heavy lobbying from any of the dozens of anti-DUI groups, the penalties are tougher across the board for these DUI offenders. A first offense DUI that involves property damage can easily lead to a year in jail and a one-thousand dollars fine instead of six months and five-hundred dollars for the more average and ‘regular’ first-time offenders. If your situation involves any damage to any property, then you need the help of a Fort Lauderdale DUI attorney immediately.

Property damage during a DUI – now what?

A good, competent, and experienced Fort Lauderdale DUI lawyer will offer several defenses and can present them in court to help save you from the extreme negativity of the harsh consequences associated with this form of DUI. For instance, the attorney can challenge evidence taken in violation of crash report privilege. Drivers are allowed to report certain things during accident investigation and they are granted immunity in these situations. Naturally, police and the law in general urge you to speak to the arresting officer and cooperate with an investigation. But when it is you whom are being investigated or arrested, it is usually best to be quiet and give only your drivers license and vehicle information, then to request a lawyer and remain non-speaking until your lawyer arrives. The less you incriminate yourself, the less-hard it will be to successfully defend you.

One of the things a Prosecutor will be forced to prove in court is that you were actually behind the wheel. Unless there are some “wheel witnesses,” it becomes more difficult for the State to prove that you were driving. Perhaps of the most import is the defense against improper DUI testing. Skilled Fort Lauderdale DUI attorneys fully understand that roadside agility tests taken just after an accident can usually be excluded from evidence in most instances. Since you were likely still shaken up from the incident itself, your results may not be indicative of intoxication. The same is true for breath test results, especially after an airbag deployment, as experts have established the inconsistency in these results.

There are many ways to fight against both the DUI and the enhanced penalties brought about by the property damage element. A solid defense team of Fort Lauderdale DUI lawyers will be on your side. The skilled attorneys at Musca Law are able to help you today.

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.