Tampa DMV Hearing Lawyer

Skilled Representation for Florida DHSMV Hearings

DUI arrests can be complicated. Immediately after an arrest, you will face two separate cases: the criminal and the administrative case. While the criminal case is serious enough, the administrative case requires immediate action. If you do not act quickly, you could lose your driving privileges.

You have 10 business days from the date of your Tampa DUI arrest to schedule a DMV hearing, or you will lose the chance to keep your driver's license.

You must contact a Tampa DUI lawyer as soon as possible. Attorney Jeff Paulk of The Law Offices of Jeff Paulk has handled thousands of cases like this before, helping clients keep their licenses for months before their DUI trials. If you have school or a job, this is simply not an opportunity you can afford to ignore.

Arrested for DUI in Tampa or nearby? Contact The Law Offices of Jeff Paulk now at (813) 321-7323 to discuss how we can help with your DMV hearing.

How Florida DMV Hearings Work

In Florida, if you have been pulled over and refused to take a blood, breath, or urine test or had a BAL over 0.08%, your driver's license will be automatically suspended. It will stay that way unless you request a hearing with the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles. The purpose of this DMV hearing will be to challenge the suspension. The process of informal and formal hearings is explained under Florida Statute §322.2615. It will be held by a hearing officer who works at the DHSMV.

Following a Tampa DUI arrest, you may request either an informal or a formal hearing with the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles (DHSMV).

What’s the Difference Between a Formal & Informal Hearing?

An informal hearing will consist of a review of all materials presented by law enforcement and the defendant. There is no need to bring witnesses and no need for the officer to show up. The department must send their decision within 21 days of the temporary license’s expiration. 

The formal hearing is a more rigorous process. While still held before a department official, it will also include the presentation of witnesses, testimony, and any relevant evidence. During a formal hearing, the defendant who requested the hearing must show up in person. Otherwise, their right to a hearing is waived, and their license will be suspended.

Regardless of whether you decide to have a formal or an informal hearing, the DHSMV hearing will not discuss your criminal guilt. Instead, it will deal with the arrest process. This will include whether the officer had reason to believe you were under the influence and had probable cause to pull you over and make an arrest.

Preparing for Your Administrative Hearing

Even if the DHSMV does not decide to suspend your license, you may still lose driving privileges after your criminal trial if you are convicted. The two are independent issues and do not depend on the findings of one another. However, it often takes months for a defendant’s case to go to trial; what the DMV hearing does is allow you to keep your driving privileges while you wait for the trial to begin.

The following questions may be asked at your hearing:

• Did the subject operate a motor vehicle with a BAC of 0.08% or higher?
• Did the subject refuse to partake in the blood, breath, or urine test after arrest?
• Was the subject told that if they refused, they would have their license suspended?
• Did the officer have probable cause to pull over the defendant?

If you were to look at a DUI case as a tree, it would have two main branches from which some other smaller branches would stem. These two branches are the DMV hearing and the criminal case. Working with an attorney who is competent in handling both of these matters is crucial. 

The experienced Tampa DMV hearing attorney at The Law Offices of Jeff Paulk has experience helping clients prepare for hearings with the Florida DHSMV. When you work with our firm, you will have the benefit of a qualified lawyer by your side through every part of both branches of your drunk driving case. We’ve successfully handled thousands of cases, so you can trust us to help you fight for the best possible result.

The First Branch: DMV Hearing

While most Tampa drivers are aware that a DUI arrest may result in criminal charges, they may have less knowledge about the administrative process initiated by the DHSMV. These proceedings may suspend their driver's license based on a failed or refused breath or blood test. 

In Florida, a driver has only 10 days after their arrest to request a hearing. This hearing is the only opportunity for challenging an administrative license suspension in conjunction with a lawful DUI arrest and refusal or failed test.

In addition to scheduling your DMV hearing for you, our firm can represent you at your hearing to fight for your driving privileges. A formal hearing is similar to court proceedings, but it is presided over by a hearing officer who acts as prosecutor and judge. You will be able to present your side of the story along with evidence. An experienced attorney can help you prepare a strong, compelling case.

The Second Branch: Criminal Case

Because driving under the influence is a criminal offense, a person arrested for this crime will face charges in criminal court. A lawyer is vital for this part of a DUI case. The prosecuting attorney may offer you a plea bargain. Your Tampa DUI defense lawyer can review this offer to determine whether it is truly in your best interests or if you will be better off fighting your charges. 

Although the arresting officer may have told you that you failed a breath test and field sobriety tests, there are ways your lawyer can challenge the evidence and the officer's testimony against you. A Tampa DUI attorney can help you during every step, even helping you work to get released after your arrest. With thousands of cases handled, the Tampa DUI hearing lawyer at The Law Offices of Jeff Paulk can help. We can schedule your hearing and represent you to seek the best possible outcome. 

If you were arrested for DUI in the Tampa area, you need to schedule your hearing. It is important to act quickly in these cases, as the failure to schedule the hearing means that you waive your rights to contest your license suspension and get your license reinstated.

Call (813) 321-7323 to speak with a DUI hearing attorney in Tampa about your legal rights and options.