106 North Pearl Street, Jacksonville, Florida 32202
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Seasoned Florida Attorneys Handle Your DUI Defense

Accomplished lawyers represent Floridians charged with drunk driving

The Jacksonville attorneys at Shafer Law, P.A. are fluent in the Florida laws addressing driving under the influence, and can represent you with professionalism, dedication, and aggressive legal skills. We take pride in serving our clients with personalized legal services geared toward the specifics of each unique case. We draw upon more than 80 years of combined experience in providing skilled representation to people facing DUI charges.

DUI cases come in all shapes and sizes. The government may allege that you are under the influence of alcohol, prescription medication, or some other controlled substance. There are a variety of ways that the government may seek to prove these charges, and our clients receive the benefit of having a former prosecutor on their side.

Declines seen in alcohol-related crashes and DUI/DWI arrests

Since 2013, when the Jacksonville City Council approved a bill allowing Uber, Lyft, and other ridesharing companies to operate locally, the Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office reports a 15 percent decrease in alcohol-related crashes, and a 25 percent decrease in DUI/DWI arrests. In 2016, there were 1,710 DUI arrests in Duval County, with Jacksonville representing 1,458 of those arrests. But the lower number of arrests does not translate into lax prosecution. In fact, quite the opposite is true: fewer arrests mean that county prosecutors have more time to thoroughly prepare the cases they bring to court.

Why it is important to hire an experienced firm

A DUI charge is an extremely serious criminal offense and it is important that you find and retain a qualified and talented criminal defense attorney as soon as possible. A DUI conviction carries the risk of spending time in jail and having your Florida driver license revoked. Moreover, because field sobriety results are often used as evidence, it is vital to have an attorney from an experienced firm who understands the results and knows how to question the validity of the test and the police officer’s skill at administering it.

A solid defense strategy comes after lengthy, detailed, and honest conversations between you and your lawyer. As the saying goes, there are many sides to a story, and when it comes to developing a defense strategy the same holds true. You and your DUI lawyer will craft a defense that increases the chances of a favorable outcome. The possibilities include a not guilty verdict, a plea bargain, or a verdict of guilty to a less-serious crime. Before finalizing your defense, we will speak with the prosecuting lawyers and learn about the case being built against you.

Possible defense strategies for your case

An effective criminal law attorney will first question the police officer’s account of the DUI and the quality of the sobriety exercises the officer administered. Your DUI lawyer might also call on a neutral third party to confirm that you were not intoxicated. Ultimately, every person arrested for DUI has a right to a jury trial. Our attorneys can diligently prepare your case for trial, but the decision to exercise this right is yours.

Schedule a free initial consultation at a firm with a reputation for success in DUI cases

If you have been charged with a DUI in Jacksonville, the seasoned defense attorneys at Shafer Law, P.A. are ready to defend you with the experience and unmatched legal skill you deserve. We welcome the chance to discuss the details of your DUI charge and to devise a solid legal defense. Call us today at 904-450-5872 or contact us online. We serve Duval, Nassau, Clay and St. Johns counties, and are conveniently located on North Pearl Street, just blocks from the Duval County Courthouse Annex and Central Station on West Bay Street.