Former State DUI Prosecutors | Board Certified Criminal Trial Specialist

A DUI arrest in Tampa can be overwhelming; however, you aren’t alone. At Whittel & Melton, our DUI defense lawyers are former prosecutors who understand exactly how the State builds these cases. We challenge every aspect of the traffic stop, investigation, and arrest to achieve the best possible outcome.

You Only Have 10 Days to Challenge Your License Suspension

Call our Tampa DUI team 24/7 at 866-608-5529 to protect your driving privileges.

Types of Tampa DUI Cases We Handle

Our lawyers handle all DUI charges, including:

• Misdemeanor DUI
• DUI with Property Damage
• DUI with Personal Injury
• Felony DUI
• DUI with Serious Bodily Injury
• DUI Manslaughter
• 2nd DUI within 5 years
• 3rd DUI within 10 years
• DUI with a breath reading over .15

How We Defend Your Tampa DUI Case

Our Tampa DUI attorneys investigate every legal and factual angle, including:

Traffic Stop & Arrest

• Was the stop by Tampa PD, FHP, or the Hillsborough County Sheriff legal?
• Were you lawfully detained and arrested?
• Did officers have the right to search your vehicle or person?

Your Rights

• Were you properly read your Miranda rights?
• Were your statements voluntary?

Evidence Review

• Are body cam, dash cam, or surveillance videos available?
• Are there civilian witnesses who can help your defense?
• Can expert testimony challenge the police findings?

Field Sobriety & Breath Testing

• How were the field sobriety exercises conducted?
• Was the breath machine properly maintained and calibrated?
• Are maintenance logs accurate and up-to-date?

Legal Technicalities

• Are there jurisdictional issues?
• Are your prior DUI convictions admissible?
• Are there statutes of limitations or speedy trial concerns?

Our goal: find every weakness in the State’s case and use it to your advantage.

Do I Need a Lawyer for My Tampa DUI?

There is no doubt that it takes little to no effort to walk into a Tampa courtroom, say you are guilty, and accept whatever punishment the court deems necessary. If you are reading this web page, we know you are interested in the best possible outcome for your case.

A DUI conviction carries lifelong consequences, and only a trained DUI attorney can:

• Challenge the evidence
• Negotiate with prosecutors
• File motions to suppress
• Prepare your case for trial
• Protect your criminal record and driving privileges

Trying to do this alone is rarely effective.

So in short: YES, you need a lawyer to do all of these things effectively. Technically, you can do anything in a court by yourself, but that is not recommended and seldom effective.

How Much Does a Tampa DUI Attorney Cost?

DUI defense fees in Florida can range from $1,000 to over $100,000, depending on:

• Prior DUIs
• Breath or blood alcohol level
• Accident or property damage
• Injuries or fatalities
• Additional charges (resisting, leaving the scene, etc.)

Cheaper is not always better. Lawyers who charge very low fees often have many cases. They cannot give the time needed. We’ll discuss your budget honestly and tell you what level of defense your case requires.

If My Tampa DUI Is Reduced, What Is the Best Possible Outcome?

Every case is different, but negotiations typically involve either:

1. Reducing the Charge

Examples:

• DUI → Reckless Driving (“wet reckless”)
• DUI → Reckless Driving with alcohol education

2. Negotiating the Penalties

Examples:

• Eliminating jail time
• Reducing fines
• Minimizing probation
• Avoiding a lengthy license suspension

We’ll explain which outcomes are realistic for your case.

Can I Go to Jail for a First DUI in Tampa?

Most people spend a few hours in jail during the arrest process, but many first-time DUI defendants do not receive additional jail time.

Jail becomes more likely when:

• There are prior DUIs
• There is injury or property damage
• The DUI involves serious bodily injury or death
• There are aggravating factors (BAC over .15, child in car, etc.)

Probation violations can also result in jail.

Will I Lose My Florida Driver’s License?

Possibly. Depending on the circumstances, suspensions can range from a few months to multiple years. Lifetime suspensions are rare but possible in serious or repeat cases.

How Long Until a Tampa DUI Falls Off My Record?

Never.
Florida DUI convictions cannot be expunged or sealed. This is why early, aggressive defense is critical.

Can I Get a DUI in Tampa for Sleeping in My Car?

Yes. Under Florida’s “actual physical control” doctrine, officers sometimes arrest individuals who were not driving but were simply in the vehicle.

These cases can be defensible, but they require a lawyer familiar with this specific legal issue.

Can I Get a DUI in a Golf Cart, Bicycle, or Motorized Wheelchair?

In some cases, yes. Florida has broad definitions of “vehicles,” and arrests have been made on these devices. Each case must be evaluated individually.

Hillsborough County DUI Resources

• Tampa Police Department
• Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office
• Hillsborough County Jail
• Hillsborough County State Attorney
• Clerk of Court
• City of Tampa
• Hillsborough County Government

We are available 24/7 to answer your questions and start protecting your rights. Talk to a Tampa DUI Defense lawyer today 866-608-5529.