The same statute in every county
Every Florida county applies the same DUI statute, F.S. 316.193, so the penalty ranges are the same in Brevard, Orange, Osceola, Seminole, Bay and Broward. What differs is the court that hears the case, the prosecutor's office that files it and the local programs, which vary from county to county.
Courts in the areas the firm serves
| County | Courthouse | Circuit |
|---|---|---|
| Brevard County | Moore Justice Center in Viera and the courthouses in Titusville and Melbourne | Eighteenth Judicial Circuit of Florida |
| Central Florida | Orange County Courthouse in Orlando, the Osceola County Courthouse in Kissimmee and Seminole County's criminal courthouse in Sanford | Ninth Judicial Circuit (Orange, Osceola) and Eighteenth Judicial Circuit (Seminole) |
| Bay County | Bay County Courthouse in Panama City | Fourteenth Judicial Circuit of Florida |
| Broward County | Broward County Courthouse in downtown Fort Lauderdale | Seventeenth Judicial Circuit of Florida |
Statewide penalty ranges
A first DUI with a level under 0.15 carries a fine of $500 to $1,000, up to 6 months in jail and a license revocation of 180 days to 1 year. At 0.15 or higher, or with a minor in the vehicle, the fine rises to $1,000 to $2,000 with up to 9 months in jail and 6 months of ignition interlock. A second DUI within 5 years brings a mandatory minimum of 10 days in jail, and a third within 10 years is a third degree felony. The full list is on the Florida DUI penalties page.
Where the case is heard
A DUI is prosecuted in the county where the arrest happened, not where the driver lives. The court notice shows the courthouse and the date of each hearing.
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