DUI & Traffic Offenses

DUI & Traffic Offenses Along with Associated Terms and General Information – Learn from Experienced DUI Defense Gainesville

Protect Your Future: Experienced DUI Defense Gainesville and Traffic Crime Defense

The Gainesville DUI defense lawyer Matt Landsman represents people charged with Driving Under the Influence (DUI) in Gainesville and North Florida as well as all other traffic crimes. The most common traffic crime is DUI, and Matt Landsman can help you protect yourself from the consequences of DUI and more. Below you will find information about DUI, Fleeing and Eluding, and other traffic crimes. Experienced DUI Defense Gainesville attorney Matt Landsman wants you to protect yourself from the serious consequences associated with traffic crimes in Florida. A DUI is a serious offense, and even without even being convicted of any offense, you can have your license suspended administratively and your driver’s license taken away. If convicted, in addition to fines, court costs and fees, and up to six or nine, or twelve months in jail, there are many additional penalties such as:

  • Being required to attend a victim impact panel program/DUI school
  • Being required to install and maintain an ignition interlock device on your vehicle
  • Pay significantly higher rates for automobile insurance
  • Possibly losing employment due to transportation problems
  • Being denied or losing a professional license
  • Being required to perform up to 50 hours of community service or pay a $500 fine
  • Mandatory probation
  • Possible deportation or removal if a non-citizen
Experienced DUI Defense Gainesville

Help is Available with Your Florida DUI – You Need an Experienced DUI Defense Gainesville

DUI is a very specific area of law and you want an attorney who is aware of the large number of issues that can arise in a DUI case. You want an attorney who is experienced dealing with issues involving unlawful traffic stops, improperly administered field exercises, misleading coercion, unlawful search and seizure, errors in administration of breath testing devices, challenging FDLE results, and evidence of impairment coming from hospital records or witnesses. Matt Landsman is an experienced DUI attorney and can advise you on your options such as trial versus a plea agreement and work to get the best outcome possible in your circumstances. Below you will find links covering some of the varied topics you may encounter if pulled over for DUI.

If you have been charged with DUI, don’t assume you have to plead guilty until you have had your case evaluated by a knowledgeable and experienced Gainesville and North Florida criminal defense lawyer. Contact Matt Landsman for a free consultation.

Leaving the Scene of an Accident

Leaving the scene of an accident in Florida can result in serious criminal charges. If you are the driver in a hit and run accident, you could face jail or prison time, hefty fines, probation, and the suspension of your driver’s license. The penalties for a hit and run crash will vary depending on whether or not property damage, bodily injury, or death was involved. No matter the type of hit and run charge you are facing, it is a serious legal matter. You must get the best legal representation to fight the charges against you. See below for more links covering the topic of Leaving the Scene of an Accident with its variants, sometimes referred to as hit-and-run.

Your case may involve exigent circumstances, your own medical treatment, or a lack of knowledge of the accident itself. If you want your case analyzed and handled by a knowledgeable and experienced Gainesville lawyer contact Matt Landsman for a free consultation today.

Fleeing and Eluding

In Florida it is a serious felony offense to refuse to stop for a law enforcement officer after being ordered to stop. The exact type and degree of seriousness depends heavily on the exact circumstances you faced while interacting with the police. Whether lights and sirens were activated and whether a chase involved property damage or high speed can drastically change what you may be facing if you have been accused of fleeing and eluding in Florida. If you’re being accused of knowingly failing to stop in a traffic stop or wrongfully being identified as the driver in a fleeing and eluding investigation, you need a Gainesville or North Florida experienced trial attorney who has litigated these kinds of cases already. Matt Landsman has the experience in fighting fleeing and eluding (simple or aggravated) charges that you need to give you the best advice and best guide you away from serious jail or prison time, or lengthy drivers license suspensions which can come with charges of Fleeing and Eluding.

Understanding DUI Charges in Florida

Driving under the influence (DUI) is a prevalent offense in Florida, governed by Florida Statutes § 316.193. Individuals can be charged with DUI if they are found to be in actual physical control of a vehicle while impaired by alcohol, drugs, or controlled substances. The legal threshold for impairment is a blood alcohol concentration (BAC) of 0.08% or higher, or sufficient impairment of mental and physical faculties. Importantly, even if a driver is not actively operating the vehicle—such as resting with the keys in the ignition—they can still face DUI charges.

The Consequences of a DUI Conviction

DUI convictions carry serious and often life-altering penalties, including but not limited to:

  • First DUI Offense: Up to six months in jail, fines up to $1,000, community service, vehicle impoundment, mandatory counseling, and license suspension.
  • Second DUI Offense: Up to nine months in jail, fines ranging from $1,000 to $2,000, and similar penalties as the first offense.
  • Third DUI Offense: Up to five years in prison, fines up to $5,000, vehicle impoundment, and mandatory installation of an ignition interlock device.

Subsequent offenses can escalate to felony charges, especially if they result in serious bodily injury or death. Sometimes you are charged with one offense but you can still potentially be charged with a higher offense depending on the circumstances, creating a type of legal threat which can be challenging to face alone. Experienced DUI Defense Gainesville attorney Matt Landsman can help guide you in this and any other criminal circumstance which you face.

Florida operates under implied consent laws, meaning that by driving on public roads, individuals consent to submit to breath, blood, or urine tests if stopped for suspected DUI. Refusing to take these tests can result in administrative penalties, including automatic license suspension.

Drivers have only ten days after an arrest to contest their license suspension through a formal review hearing. Engaging legal representation during this process can provide avenues to obtain a hardship license, allowing limited driving privileges while challenging the suspension.

The Role of a DUI Defense Attorney – Focus Areas of an Experienced DUI Defense Gainesville

Hiring an experienced DUI defense attorney, such as Gainesville’s Matt Landsman, is crucial for mounting an effective defense. Key areas of focus in Experienced DUI Defense Gainesville include:

  • Challenging Test Results: Questioning the reliability of breath tests and field sobriety tests, including issues of improper administration or calibration of testing devices.
  • Evaluating Police Conduct: Assessing whether law enforcement followed proper procedures during the arrest, including the legality of the initial stop and whether probable cause existed.
  • Exploring Defenses: Identifying potential defenses based on the specifics of the case, such as lack of actual physical control, procedural violations, or issues with the handling of chemical tests.

Costs Associated with DUI Charges

Beyond legal fees, the financial impact of a DUI conviction can be substantial. Costs may include:

  • Bond fees: $150 – $2,500 or more
  • Towing and vehicle impound fees: $100+ per day
  • Administrative fees for license hearings and reinstatement
  • Mandatory DUI education classes: $275 – $420
  • Increased insurance premiums due to being classified as a high-risk driver

Resources for Individuals Facing DUI Charges – Useful for an Experienced DUI Defense Gainesville

For those facing DUI charges, understanding available resources is essential, Experienced DUI Defense Gainesville attorney Matt Landsman wants you to learn as much as possible when you’ve been charged with a crime.

  1. Florida Statutes: Offers a comprehensive overview of DUI laws and penalties.
  2. Alachua County DMV: Provides guidance on license matters and the process for contesting suspensions.
  3. Florida Highway Patrol: A key resource for traffic safety information and related services.
  4. Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD): Offers support and resources for victims of DUI-related incidents.

A DUI conviction in Florida is a serious matter that can have lasting implications on an individual’s life. Understanding the complexities of DUI laws and the associated penalties is crucial for anyone facing such charges. Seeking representation from an experienced DUI attorney can make a significant difference in the outcome of a case, providing the necessary support and advocacy to navigate the legal system effectively. If you or someone you know is facing DUI charges, contact a knowledgeable attorney immediately to discuss your defense options.

  • 1st DUI – Florida Statute 396.193
  • 2nd DUI
  • 3rd DUI
  • Felony DUI
  • DUI with Serious Bodily Injury
  • DUI with Property Damage
  • DUI Manslaughter
  • DUI with Prescription Drugs
  • DUI with a Commercial Drivers License
  • BUI – Florida Statute 327.35

DUI ASSOCIATED CONCEPTS

  • Implied Consent in Florida
  • Costs of DUI
  • DUI Penalties
  • DUI Defenses
  • DUI resources
  • DUI License Suspension
  • Underage Driving with Alcohol
  • DUI Blood Tests
  • DUI Refusal to Submit to Alcohol Testing
  • DUI with Drugs
  • Out of State Driver DUI
  • Field Sobriety Exercises (FSE’s) or Tests
  • Urine Testing in DUI
  • IID (Ignition Interlock Device)
  • Sobriety Checkpoints or DUI Roadblocks

ADDITIONAL FLORIDA OFFENSES

  • Wet Reckless or Willful Wanton Reckless Driving -Florida Statute 316.192 
  • FATE (Fleeing and Attempting to Elude)
  • Leaving the Scene of an Accident (Florida Statute 316.1935
  • Leaving the Scene of an Accident with Injury
  • Leaving the Scene of an Accident with Death
  • Driving with a Suspended License – Florida Statute 322.34


Civil Traffic Infractions – Experienced DUI Defense Gainesville Can Also Help!

  • Speeding
  • Expired Registration
  • Ignoring Traffic Control Devices
  • Seat Belt Violations
  • Failure to Maintain Lane
  • Following to Closely


If you or a loved one is DUI or Traffic Crime related, it’s crucial to have an experienced attorney by your side. Matthew Landsman is committed to protecting your rights and providing exceptional legal representation. Contact him at (352) 664-9671 for a consultation and let his expertise work for you. Don’t leave your future to chance; trust in a lawyer who has proven his dedication to excellence in DUI and Traffic crime defense. Call Experienced DUI Defense Gainesville Matt Landsman today.

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747 SW 2nd Ave #28
Gainesville, FL 32601

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