Summerfield Man Slapped with DUI Charges Following Release From Hospital :: Whittel & Melton

August 3, 2012

The Villages, Florida – A 57-year-old Summerfield man involved in a car accident on Monday was arrested and taken to the Marion County Jail on Wednesday after being released from the West Marion Community Hospital.

Police claim the man’s blood-alcohol content measured at nearly four times the legal limit following the wreck.

He is charged with DUI, DUI with property damage, and giving false information. His blood-alcohol level allegedly registered at 0.304 and 0.316.

According to a Florida Highway Patrol trooper, the man was involved in a single-vehicle crash on U.S. 441 on Monday just before 6 p.m.

The vehicle, a 1996 Chevy Suburban, was allegedly involved in a hit-and-run earlier, and was later disabled in a parking lot.

The trooper arrested the man on suspicion of DUI.

The trooper claims the man was taken to the hospital for treatment due to the high level of alcohol in his system.

Driving with a blood alcohol content of .08 or higher is considered driving under the influence in the state of Florida. If the results of a chemical test happen to indicate that your BAC is higher than .15, the penalties of a DUI can be even more extreme than usual. Having an excessive BAC is considered an aggravating factor in DUI cases and can increase the consequences associated with a DUI conviction. While the penalties for a DUI charge with an excessive BAC may vary, generally the law enforces higher fines and jail time for those drivers with a BAC of .15 or higher. Typically, exact sentences hinge on the driver’s DUI record.

A first-time DUI offense, where a driver’s BAC is .15 or higher, may result in a fine between $1,000 and $2,000. Additionally, a driver could face the very real possibility of serving up to nine months in jail. A first-time DUI conviction with a BAC of .08 may result in a fine between $500 and $1,000 and a jail sentence of no more than six months.

It is important to be aware that additional penalties can be imposed for DUI offenses involving excessive BACs. A judge may require an ignition interlock device to be installed in your car once you regain your license. You could also be required to attend a drug and alcohol abuse program. DUI offenders that measure excessive BACs are also subject to hardships outside the courtroom. An extreme BAC can result in increased insurance rates, problems finding adequate employment and troubles obtaining loans and credit cards.

The reality is a DUI conviction can negatively impact every aspect of your life. With so much at stake, it is necessary to take these charges seriously. The Florida DUI Defense Lawyers at Whittel & Melton can carefully examine your case and help you weigh all of your options. We can provide you with the best possible defense for your unique situation.

If you have been accused of driving under the influence with a high blood alcohol content in Marion County or throughout the state of Florida, contact the Florida DUI Defense Attorneys at Whittel & Melton online or call our Ocala office at 352-369-5334 or reach us statewide and toll-free at 1-866-608-5LAW (5529).