Melbourne DUI Lawyer

Over 20 Years Defending DUI Cases in Brevard County Courts

If you were arrested for drunk driving in Melbourne, you don’t have to face the legal system alone. At Law Offices of Laura D. Siemers, we have over 20 years of experience defending clients against DUI charges in Florida. Criminal defense is all we do. We know the people and the processes inside Florida’s courts, and we’ll do everything we can to protect your rights.

Facing a DUI charge in Florida? Call Law Offices of Laura D. Siemers at (321) 218-5512 or contact us online to schedule a free consultation with our Melbourne DUI attorney. We’re available 24/7.

DUI Penalties in Florida

A DUI conviction carries serious consequences, and penalties increase with the circumstances of the offense. Understanding what you’re facing is the first step toward building a defense.

First-Offense Penalties

Penalties for a first-time DUI in Florida can include:

• Up to six months in jail
• Fines of up to $1,000
• A driver’s license suspension of six months to one year
• Up to one year of probation
• 50 hours of community service
• 10 days of vehicle impoundment
• Mandatory DUI school
• Ignition interlock device

Enhanced & Felony-Level Penalties

Penalties increase when a driver’s blood alcohol content (BAC) is .15 or higher, or when a minor is present in the vehicle. In those circumstances, fines for a first offense can reach $2,000 and jail exposure increases. Penalties escalate significantly with each subsequent conviction. A third DUI within 10 years is charged as a felony in Florida, as is any fourth DUI conviction regardless of when prior offenses occurred. A DUI resulting in serious bodily injury is a felony that can carry up to five years in prison. A DUI that causes another person’s death is charged as DUI manslaughter, a second-degree felony carrying up to 15 years in prison. The administrative license suspension activates separately from criminal penalties and can take effect before any conviction.

The 10-Day Deadline to Protect Your License

If you’ve been charged with DUI, you need to act quickly. You have just 10 days from the date of your arrest to request a formal review hearing through the DHSMV to challenge the suspension of your driver’s license. We can file the paperwork and fight for your license at that hearing.

Do You Need a DUI Lawyer in Florida?

A DUI arrest in Florida triggers two distinct proceedings: the criminal case in the 18th Judicial Circuit and a parallel administrative suspension proceeding through the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles (DHSMV). Even if a court finds you not guilty, we’ll still need to address the DHSMV separately, because a not-guilty verdict in criminal court doesn’t automatically restore a suspended license. Navigating both tracks at once is genuinely complex, and missing a deadline in either proceeding can cost you.

Attorney Laura D. Siemers handles these cases daily. We can guide you through both processes and aggressively protect your rights. The formal review hearing gives us the opportunity to challenge the basis of the stop or demonstrate hardship, and the outcome may include full reinstatement, a business purpose license, or enforcement of the suspension. We’re available 24/7 and have bilingual staff to serve Melbourne’s diverse community.

Effective Strategies to Fight DUI Charges

Every DUI case turns on its own facts. We examine each one carefully to identify weaknesses in the prosecution’s evidence.

Challenging the Stop & Arrest

We challenge the legality of the stop and arrest by asking questions like:

• Did the arresting officer inform you that your license would be automatically suspended if you refused a breath test?
• Was there probable cause to pull you over?
• Does the video of the stop tell a different story than the police report?

Field Sobriety Exercises & Medical Conditions

We examine whether field sobriety exercises were administered properly and whether any medical conditions could have affected your performance. Florida’s implied consent law requires that drivers submit to breath testing, but field sobriety exercises aren’t required, and refusing to perform them carries no administrative penalty.

Breath & Blood Sample Evidence

We look closely at how breath or blood samples were collected, stored, and analyzed. That review includes whether calibration and maintenance records for breath-testing equipment meet required standards and whether the chain of custody for any sample was properly maintained. A rising BAC at the time of testing is another recognized defense theory we evaluate. When appropriate, we consult with qualified professionals to identify additional weaknesses in the prosecution’s case. In the right circumstances, a DUI charge may be reduced to a traffic violation, commonly referred to as a wet reckless, when the evidence and the facts of the case support that outcome.

Handling Melbourne DUI Cases From Start to Finish

After a DUI arrest, most people don’t know what to expect or how long the process will take. We walk you through each stage in Brevard County, from the initial appearance before a judge through pretrial conferences and, if necessary, trial. The criminal case and the administrative license suspension run on separate tracks with separate deadlines and separate decision-makers. At every stage, we explain your options and help you weigh the tradeoffs between negotiating and continuing to challenge the evidence, so you can plan for work, family, and other responsibilities while your case is pending.

As your case moves through the system, we communicate with the prosecutor’s office at the Harry T. and Harriette V. Moore Justice Center and review any offers or discovery they provide. We may request additional reports, videos, or maintenance records related to the breath-testing equipment used in your stop. We keep you informed about upcoming court dates at the Brevard County courthouse in Melbourne and what to expect when you appear, so you arrive prepared at every stage.

Local DUI Defense Knowledge That Matters in Melbourne

Melbourne Police Department and the Brevard County Sheriff’s Office actively enforce DUI laws throughout the area, and a conviction here carries real consequences beyond the courtroom. License suspension disrupts daily life: commuting to work, fulfilling family obligations, and handling the logistics of a case while your driving privileges are on hold. For clients with professional licenses or employment that requires a clean driving record, the stakes are even higher.

We regularly appear in Brevard County courts and understand how local prosecutors and judges handle DUI charges. That familiarity lets us give you practical guidance about what to expect at each stage, from arraignment through potential trial or plea discussions. We help you understand how a conviction could affect your driving record, your insurance, and your livelihood in Brevard County.

When you work with our firm, you benefit from local knowledge including:

• Understanding how cases move through the Brevard County courthouse in Melbourne
• Knowing how local prosecutors and judges typically approach different types of DUI charges
• Recognizing how a DUI conviction can affect employment, professional licenses, and everyday driving in Brevard County

DUI Charges We Handle in Melbourne

No two DUI cases are alike. The circumstances of the stop, the substances involved, and a defendant’s prior record all shape the charges and the potential consequences. As a drunk driving lawyer serving Melbourne and Brevard County, we represent clients across the full range of DUI charges filed in the 18th Judicial Circuit.

Drug DUI & Prescription Medication

Driving under the influence of drugs in Florida, including marijuana, prescription medications, or other controlled substances, is treated as a DUI offense under Florida Statute 316.193 even when the driver’s BAC is below .08. These cases involve specific evidentiary challenges that differ from alcohol-based DUI charges, and we’re prepared to handle them.

Underage DUI

Florida’s zero-tolerance standard sets the legal BAC limit for drivers under 21 at .02, meaning even a small amount of alcohol can result in a license suspension for an underage driver facing DUI charges. We represent young clients and their families navigating these charges.

Felony DUI

A third DUI within 10 years, a fourth conviction at any time, or a DUI involving serious bodily injury or death can all be charged as felonies in Florida. These cases carry the possibility of significant prison time and, in some circumstances, permanent license revocation. We represent clients facing felony DUI charges in the 18th Judicial Circuit.

First, Second & Subsequent Offenses

Whether you’re facing your first DUI charge or have prior convictions on your record, the defense approach and the stakes differ considerably. Florida offers DUI diversion programs in some counties for eligible first-time offenders, which may allow defendants to avoid a criminal conviction upon completing program requirements. We explain which options may apply to your situation and help you make an informed decision about how to proceed.

Talk to a Melbourne DUI Attorney Today

If you’ve been arrested for drunk driving in Brevard County, don’t wait. You need an experienced DUI attorney in Melbourne defendants can reach at any hour, and we’re available 24/7. We can investigate your case thoroughly, explain your options clearly, and identify every avenue that may support a favorable outcome. We may be able to have your case dismissed or reduced to a reckless driving charge.

When you contact our office after a DUI arrest, we discuss what happened before, during, and after the stop to identify immediate deadlines and risks. We explain the difference between the criminal case and the administrative license process and outline the steps we can take on your behalf. We also review potential outcomes with you, including possible penalties, diversion options, or treatment programs that may be available. Our bilingual staff is ready to help, and your first consultation is free.

Contact Law Offices of Laura D. Siemers to schedule a free consultation with a drunk driving attorney in Melbourne residents have trusted for over 20 years. Call us anytime at (321) 218-5512.