CDL DUI Lawyers in Orlando

Protecting Your Freedom and Livelihood After a DUI Arrest

If you hold a commercial driver’s license (CDL) and have recently been arrested for DUI, you are most likely feeling frightened and overwhelmed by what the future may bring. Unlike other drivers, CDL holders are held to a higher standard. Non-commercial drivers are allowed a blood alcohol concentration (BAC) of 0.08 percent. However, anyone licensed to operate a commercial vehicle may only have a BAC of 0.04 percent.

Furthermore, if you have a CDL, it does not matter if you are operating a commercial vehicle or your own personal vehicle; you can still be arrested if your BAC is above the legal limit. Finally, if you are caught driving while under the influence or possession of drugs, you also risk losing your commercial driver’s license.

Contact The Defense Group of Orlando, FL, and ask to schedule a free, confidential consultation to determine what legal options will suit your needs. Call us at 407-743-8430.

Can I Lose My CDL After Being Arrested for DUI?

CDL holders are required to have a higher level of sobriety to ensure that other motorists are safe on roadways. The Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicle (FLHSMV) may suspend a CDL if a driver is convicted of being under the influence of drugs or alcohol. The length of the CDL suspension depends on the circumstances involved in the case.

If a commercial driver is convicted of a DUI, his or her CDL license is automatically suspended for one year. The same holds for a driver convicted of possessing a controlled substance. In both instances, commercial drivers are ineligible to obtain a hardship license. However, even though a commercial driver who refuses to submit to a chemical test after being arrested for DUI will still face an automatic one-year suspension of their CDL, they do have the option of applying for a hardship license.

It should be noted that CDL suspensions can last longer than one year and, in some cases, up to 10 years. If you are convicted of a second DUI, your CDL will most likely be permanently revoked. In most cases, after the suspension time has expired, an individual must reapply for CDL certification, pay a reinstatement fee, and complete a court-ordered safety and substance abuse program.

If you need further clarification about the penalties involved with a CDL DUI, contact our law offices to schedule a consultation with one of our qualified attorneys, who can answer your questions. Call us at 407-743-8430.

What are Possible Defenses to a CDL DUI case?

For commercial drivers, holding on to their CDL is critical to working and supporting themselves and their families. Unlike other drivers who may have their licenses suspended but have jobs that do not require driving for a living, CDL holders are in a much more grave situation. However, there are possible defenses that a DUI attorney can use to try and help you keep your CDL license, which includes:

1. Request a formal review hearing of your CDL suspension.
2. Challenge the legality of the traffic stop to determine if probable cause existed for the officer to pull you over.
3. Thoroughly evaluate the case to determine if your civil rights were violated.
4. Challenge the accuracy of any tests that may have been performed, including a field sobriety or breathalyzer test. Additionally, determine if the equipment used for BAC testing was operating correctly.

If you have been arrested for a CDL DUI, you must have skilled legal representation to help you keep your license. Call us at 407-743-8430.

Why Do I Need to Hire a CDL DUI Lawyer to Help Keep My License?

If you are a commercial driver charged with a DUI, you must hire an experienced lawyer who can fight the charges and work to help you keep your license. Unfortunately, not all DUI lawyers have experience handling CDL DUI cases. Do not trust your future to an attorney who does not have prior experience defending CDL DUI cases.

The Defense Group has CDL DUI attorneys with comprehensive experience helping commercial drivers keep their licenses. Some of the advantages of hiring our attorneys to defend your case include:

1. Determine weaknesses in the state’s case, including lack of evidence and conflicting police reports.
2. Collect and analyze witness statements and dash and body cam videos that support your case.
3. Negotiate with the prosecutor to try to have your charges reduced or thrown out.
4. Act as your legal advocate if your case needs to go to court to be resolved.

Some CDL DUI cases can be resolved out of court through negotiations with the state attorney. However, it is essential to remember that every case differs, and any potential outcome may vary.

Can I Count on Your Law Firm to Obtain Favorable Results for My DUI Case?

The Defense Group understands you must keep your CDL to support yourself financially. Not being able to use your commercial driver’s license to earn a living can quickly create a financial crisis for you and your family. We also understand that just because you have been arrested for a DUI does not mean you are guilty.

Our legal team will work relentlessly to help you keep your CDL license after a DUI charge. Our law firm has the resources to investigate your case thoroughly and negotiate with the prosecution. Our knowledgeable attorneys recognize that DUI tests are often inaccurate. We will use our skills and experience to challenge the accuracy of the test results and ensure your legal rights were not violated during the traffic stop.

The Defense Group is passionately committed to helping commercial drivers keep their licenses while protecting their legal rights.

Contact our Orlando, Florida law office at 407-743-8430 and ask to schedule a free no-obligation consultation to determine your legal options.