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First Offense DUI

First-Offense DUI Attorney in Orlando

Defending First-Time DUI Charges Throughout Orange County & Central Florida

A first DUI arrest sets two processes in motion at once. The criminal case determines penalties, probation, and whether a conviction lands permanently on your record. Separately, the DHSMV moves to suspend your license administratively, and you have only 10 days from the arrest date to request a review hearing. Missing that window can limit your options before your case ever reaches a courtroom. We’ve represented clients across Orlando and Central Florida since 2012, and we provide guidance in both English and Spanish.

Don’t wait on the license deadline. Call our Orlando first-offense DUI attorneys at (407) 574-7576 for a free consultation, available virtually at your convenience.

What a First-Offense DUI Conviction Costs You in Florida

Florida charges a first DUI as a first-degree misdemeanor, which carries real consequences even without prior criminal history. Under state law, a driver is guilty of DUI if their normal faculties are impaired or their blood or breath alcohol content (BAC) registers at 0.08 or above. The statutory penalties for a standard first conviction include:

  • Fines: $500 to $1,000, plus court costs
  • Jail: Up to six months
  • Probation: Up to one year
  • Community service: 50 mandatory hours, with a $10-per-hour buyout option if service creates a hardship
  • Vehicle impoundment: 10 days

If your BAC was 0.15 or higher, or a minor was in the vehicle, each of those numbers increases. Fines jump to $1,000–$2,000 and jail exposure extends to nine months. Florida law also prohibits courts from withholding adjudication or reducing the charge when BAC reaches that threshold, which limits plea options significantly.

The License Suspension Clock Starts at Arrest

Florida’s implied consent law means that by driving on state roads, you’ve agreed to chemical testing when lawfully arrested for DUI. If your BAC came back at 0.08 or above, the DHSMV will automatically suspend your license for six months. Refusing the breath, blood, or urine test triggers a one-year suspension for a first refusal, regardless of what happens in the criminal case.

The 10-day window to request a formal DHSMV review hearing is firm. Acting within that period may preserve your ability to drive while your case proceeds. If the criminal case results in a conviction, the court-ordered revocation runs a minimum of 180 days up to one year when no bodily injury is involved. A hardship license can become available after part of the suspension period has passed and the required DUI school course is completed.

Why Choose Fighter Law?

  • Hablamos Español
    Our team is proud to help with Spanish services.
  • Free Consultations Available
    Get started on your family law case with a free consultation.
  • Former Prosecutor Experience
    With our prior experience, we know what the other side is thinking.
  • Around-the-Clock Help
    No matter the time of night or day, you can count on our firm.

Real Stories. Real Results.

Trusted by Our Clients
  • “Excellent Service!”
    “Excellent service from the lawyers and their assistant, Erika Barbosa. Very satisfied with their services; they are excellent professionals and people. Thank you!”
    - Angel A.
  • “Very Personable and Friendly.”
    “Highly recommend Fighter Law. Bridgette did and her team did an amazing job. Helped me with everything I needed , worked diligently on my case and got me the plea I wanted. Very personable and friendly. Can't stress enough how good of a job she did.”
    - Ash H.
  • “Helpful and Knowledgeable.”
    “People who work at Fighter Law are wonderful. I was assisted by Brenda, and she did a good job. She treated me well and provided me all information I needed for my case.”
    - Fafoo F.
  • “Highly Recommend!”
    “The team is highly empathetic and knowledgeable. It made all of the difference in the world when seeking an immediate need for assistance. Would highly recommend!”
    - Courtney A.
  • “Extremely Grateful.”
    “I am extremely grateful for the handling of my divorce and shared custody proceedings, represented by attorney Joshua Lopez.”
    - Reinier G.
  • “Helpful and Kind.”
    “Auri was helpful, kind, efficient, and knowledgeable. A consultation was scheduled immediately, providing a sense of relief.”
    - T.M.
  • “A Positive Outcome”
    “I would like to thank Bridgette Williams with Fighter Law for her efficiency, determination, follow-through, and communication regarding the issue with our son. The positive outcome was achieved as a result of her hard work!”
    - Donna C.
  • “Highly Recommended.”
    “Both Brenda and Oscar were amazing. Oscar was very helpful and knowledgeable and provided the proper guidance. I felt his compassion and willingness to answer any of my questions.”
    - Vicky F.

Your Options on a First DUI Charge in Orlando

A first arrest doesn’t automatically mean a first conviction. Several paths exist depending on the facts of your case, and evaluating them early can put you in a stronger position.

Reduction to Reckless Driving

We evaluate whether the facts and evidence support negotiating a reduction to reckless driving. That charge is still a criminal offense, but it doesn’t carry every mandatory DUI consequence, including the permanent record bar that applies to a DUI conviction.

Pretrial Diversion

Orange County offers a pretrial diversion program for certain first-time DUI defendants. Eligibility turns on specific facts: whether a crash occurred, your BAC level, and your prior driving history related to alcohol. We review those facts to determine whether diversion is a possible option in your case.

Evidence-Based Defenses

We examine the full record before any decision is made. That means reviewing the legality of the traffic stop, breath-test operator compliance and machine maintenance records, the conditions under which field sobriety tests were administered, and any body camera or dash camera footage. Each of these can surface issues that affect how the prosecution can proceed.

Why Clients in Orlando Trust Fighter Law

Attorney Jessica Ann Travis, who founded Fighter Law, is Board Certified in criminal trial law by The Florida Bar and began her career as an Assistant State Attorney. That background means she understands how prosecutors screen and negotiate cases from the inside. Our attorneys regularly handle cases in the Orange County court system, where most Orlando DUI charges are prosecuted, and we’ve represented clients across thousands of criminal defense matters from our offices in Orlando, Kissimmee, and Sanford.

We’re trial-ready. Not every case goes to trial, but preparing as though it might helps us maintain leverage at every stage of negotiation.

Start With a Free Consultation Before the 10-Day Deadline Passes

The decisions made in the first days after a DUI arrest shape everything that follows. We offer free consultations that can be conducted virtually, and payment plans are available if cost is a concern.

Call Fighter Law at (407) 574-7576 to speak with a first-offense DUI attorney about your case today.

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