Bay County DUI defense.

Where Bay County DUI cases are heard

A DUI arrest anywhere in Bay County, from Panama City Beach to Mexico Beach, is prosecuted in Florida's Fourteenth Judicial Circuit at the Bay County Courthouse in Panama City.

Misdemeanor DUI cases, which include most first and second offenses, stay in county court. Felony DUI charges, such as a third DUI within 10 years of a prior conviction or a DUI with serious bodily injury, are handled in circuit court.

Beach season, visitors and DUI stops

Panama City Beach fills with visitors during spring break and summer, and many people arrested there live in other states or in other parts of Florida. The case is prosecuted in Bay County no matter where the driver lives, and a Florida suspension can be reported to the driver's home state.

Arrests are made by city departments such as the Panama City and Panama City Beach police, by the Bay County Sheriff's Office in unincorporated areas, and by the Florida Highway Patrol.

The license deadline after a Bay County arrest

A Florida DUI arrest opens a criminal case and a separate administrative license case with the Florida DHSMV. There are 10 days from the arrest to request a formal review hearing, and if the request is not made the suspension takes effect.

That short window matters even more for visitors, who may be back home in another state before they learn the deadline exists.

How the firm handles Bay County cases

DUI Lawyers Shield Firm does not have an office in Bay County. Its offices are in Orlando and Satellite Beach, and calls are answered 24 hours a day. In many misdemeanor DUI cases, a lawyer can file a written plea and appear at pretrial hearings for the client, which can reduce trips back to Panama City.

The first case review is free, and payment plans are available through Affirm, subject to approval.

General information only, not legal advice. Every case depends on its own facts, and prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome.