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Getting arrested for DUI in Tampa is one of the most stressful moments anyone can face. Sirens behind you, flashing lights in your mirror, and suddenly you're on the side of the road, being questioned and tested. Within minutes, you're in handcuffs. And before you know it, you’re sitting inside Orient Road Jail, wondering what this will do to your license, your job, your reputation, or even your freedom.
Here’s the truth: a DUI arrest does not equal a conviction. But the next steps you take are everything. From preserving your driving privileges to building a defense against the criminal charges, you need someone in your corner who knows how the Hillsborough County system works—and how to win.
Our Tampa DUI defense attorneys have spent years helping clients just like you beat their DUI charges. Whether you were stopped on I-275, near SoHo, around Ybor City, or coming off the Selmon Expressway, we understand the local process and what it takes to dismantle a DUI case from the ground up.
Under Florida Statute 316.193, it is illegal to drive or be in actual physical control of a vehicle while impaired by alcohol, drugs, or a combination of both. The legal BAC (blood alcohol concentration) limit in Florida is 0.08%. However, you can still be arrested if you blow below that limit. All it takes is an officer’s claim that your “normal faculties” were impaired.
Tampa police officers, Hillsborough County deputies, and Florida Highway Patrol are well-trained in DUI stops and make hundreds of arrests every month. Many of these happen around nightlife corridors, including Kennedy Boulevard, Dale Mabry Highway, and Howard Avenue. DUI enforcement spikes around Gasparilla, the Florida State Fair, and sports events at Raymond James Stadium.
Florida also enforces enhanced penalties when:
What this means is simple: even if you think the case is “no big deal,” it could have massive long-term consequences if not handled the right way.
Most DUI arrests in Tampa follow a standard pattern. First comes the stop—this could be for speeding, swerving, running a red light, or something minor like a broken taillight. If the officer believes you may be impaired, they’ll ask questions, observe your behavior, and likely request that you perform field sobriety exercises.
If you “fail” those tests—or even if you simply appear nervous or off-balance—you may be asked to take a breath test. Refusing the breath test can lead to an automatic license suspension. If you blow above 0.08%, you’ll be arrested and taken to Orient Road Jail for booking.
From there, you’ll face an administrative license suspension and a criminal charge. The criminal side plays out in Hillsborough County Court, often in front of judges who see hundreds of DUI cases per month. You’ll also receive a court date and a formal arraignment hearing at the George Edgecomb Courthouse in downtown Tampa.
Time matters. You have only 10 days from your arrest to request a formal hearing with the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles (DHSMV) to try to stop your license from being suspended. If you miss that window, the damage is done. This is why hiring a DUI lawyer right away is critical.
Florida imposes mandatory minimums for DUI, but there’s wide variation depending on your history, BAC level, and whether any aggravating factors were involved.
And these are just the criminal penalties. A conviction can also damage your career, increase your insurance rates, restrict travel, and stay on your record forever. Florida does not allow DUI convictions to be sealed or expunged. Once it’s on your record, it’s permanent.
Tampa-area law enforcement frequently runs DUI checkpoints, especially during holidays and downtown events. These are commonly set up at:
We’ve seen many clients arrested at these exact checkpoints—often after just one or two drinks. Officers don’t always follow proper procedures, which gives us opportunities to challenge the legality of your stop or the results of their investigation.
Technically, yes—but with serious consequences. Florida’s implied consent law means that just by having a license, you agree to submit to a breath, blood, or urine test if lawfully arrested for DUI.
Refusing a breath test leads to:
That said, refusing can still make your case easier to defend. Without a BAC result, prosecutors must rely solely on the officer’s observations. That opens the door to more possible defenses.
We build each DUI defense from the ground up, based on the facts of your case, the arresting officer’s conduct, and the specific judge handling your case. Here are common (and successful) strategies we’ve used in Tampa:
If the officer didn’t have legal grounds to pull you over, everything that happened afterward—field sobriety tests, breath tests, admissions—could be suppressed.
Field sobriety exercises are highly subjective. Medical conditions, poor footwear, uneven pavement, or even anxiety can throw off performance.
Breathalyzers like the Intoxilyzer 8000 must be regularly maintained and properly operated. If calibration logs are off or the test was administered incorrectly, the result may be thrown out.
Alcohol takes time to absorb into the bloodstream. If you consumed drinks just before driving, your BAC could have been legal while behind the wheel but climbed afterward.
If you weren’t advised of your rights before questioning, any statements made could be suppressed.
Some officers overreact based on assumptions. We’ve cross-examined officers who admitted they never saw slurred speech or poor coordination—just “smelled alcohol.”
If this is your first DUI and there were no aggravating factors, you may qualify for Tampa’s DUI diversion program. This alternative sentencing option avoids a DUI conviction entirely in exchange for completing certain requirements, such as:
Once completed, the DUI charge is dismissed or reduced to reckless driving. This can be a smart path for first-time offenders who want to avoid a permanent stain on their record.
We’ll tell you honestly if this program is right for you—or if you can fight for a full dismissal.
Timing is everything. From the moment you’re released, here’s what you should do:
1. Call a DUI lawyer immediately.
The 10-day window to save your license is already ticking.
2. Do not speak to law enforcement again.
Anything you say can be used against you later.
3. Save all documents.
Citation, booking sheet, test results—save everything and send it to your attorney.
4. Write down your version.
Note the timeline of events, what you ate or drank, where you were driving from, and how the officer treated you.
5. Do not post about the arrest on social media.
It may be tempting, but it can severely damage your case.
We aren’t generalists. Our firm focuses almost exclusively on criminal and DUI defense across Hillsborough County. We’ve defended clients in every courtroom at the Edgecomb Courthouse. We’ve cross-examined the same officers and gone toe-to-toe with prosecutors who try these cases day in and day out.
We know:
We’ve helped students at USF, service members at MacDill AFB, nurses, teachers, and even out-of-state tourists get through DUI charges without losing their careers or licenses.
You don’t need to navigate this alone. And you shouldn’t. The faster you act, the better your odds. Our consultations are free, confidential, and honest. We’ll walk you through your options, review the evidence, and tell you exactly where you stand.
We answer calls 24/7. Whether it’s 2 PM or 2 AM, you can speak to a real DUI attorney—not a call center. We’ll treat your case like it’s our only case.
Your future is worth fighting for. Let’s start now.
Connecting with our firm means working with a proven legal team that defends people just like you, across the country, with clarity, urgency, and unmatched results.
Let’s fight for your freedom. Get your free case review today.
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