Orlando DUI Defense Attorney

Reliable Criminal Defense Representation for Drunk Driving Charges in Orange County

If you are arrested and charged with driving under the influence (DUI) of alcohol or drugs in Florida, you may be facing a misdemeanor or felony charge, depending on the circumstances.

If your DUI resulted in only property damage, such as in the case of another vehicle, you will probably be facing a misdemeanor charge. If your DUI violation resulted in serious bodily injury to another, you may be facing a felony charge. If another person died as a result of your drunk driving, you face a DUI manslaughter charge.

As your DUI defense attorney in Orlando, we provide aggressive, sophisticated representation designed to challenge the prosecution’s evidence. We recognize that the hours following an arrest are the most critical; that is why our firm is available 24/7. We are here to ensure that your rights are upheld.

Have questions? Get the answers you need during a complimentary consultation by calling (407) 477-6744.

Types of DUI Charges We Handle in Orlando

Under Florida Statute 316.193, a person can be charged with DUI if they are in actual physical control of a vehicle while having a blood alcohol concentration (BAC) of 0.08% or higher or being impaired by alcohol, drugs, or a combination of both to the extent that normal faculties are affected.

Whether this is your first time in the legal system or you are facing high-stakes felony allegations, Mazin Law provides a tailored defense for every type of DUI:

• First-Time DUI: Even with a clean record, a first-offense DUI is a serious misdemeanor. You face mandatory penalties including up to 6 months in jail, a minimum $500 fine, and at least 180 days of license revocation. Under Trenton's Law, refusing a breathalyzer for the first time now carries its own separate criminal charge.
• Underage DUI (Zero Tolerance): Florida has a "Zero Tolerance" policy for drivers under 21. If you are found with a Blood Alcohol Concentration (BAC) of .02% or higher, your license will be suspended for 6 months. If the BAC is .05% or higher, you must complete a DUI education course before your driving privileges are reinstated.
• Drug-Related DUI: You can be arrested for DUI even if you haven't consumed alcohol. Florida law prohibits driving while impaired by controlled substances, including prescription medications and illegal drugs. These cases often rely on "Drug Recognition Experts" whose subjective testimony we work to discredit.
• Multiple DUI Offenses: Florida uses strict "look-back" periods to enhance penalties. A second DUI within five years carries a mandatory 10-day jail sentence, while a third DUI within ten years is prosecuted as a Third-Degree Felony in Orlando.
• Aggravated DUI: These charges involve specific factors that increase mandatory minimums, such as having a BAC of .15% or higher or traveling with a minor under the age of 18 in the vehicle. These convictions require the mandatory installation of an Ignition Interlock Device (IID).
• Felony DUI: A DUI is elevated to a felony if it is your third offense in ten years, your fourth offense ever, or if the incident resulted in Serious Bodily Injury to another person.
• DUI Manslaughter: The most severe charge, occurring when a DUI results in a fatality. Per the 2025 updates under Trenton's Law, a second conviction for DUI manslaughter is now a First-Degree Felony, punishable by up to 30 years in prison.

Penalties for DUI Convictions in Florida

The penalties you face depend on the circumstances of the case, prior convictions, and any aggravating factors.

First-Time DUI Offense

A first-time DUI offense carries several penalties, including up to six months in jail, fines ranging from $500 to $1,000, and a license suspension lasting between six and twelve months. Offenders must also complete 50 hours of community service, face a ten-day vehicle impoundment, and attend mandatory DUI school.

Second DUI Offense

For a second DUI offense, penalties increase, with jail time of up to nine months—or up to one year if the BAC is 0.15% or higher, or if a minor was in the vehicle. Fines range from $1,000 to $2,000, and a license suspension of up to five years applies if the second offense occurs within five years of the first. Additionally, offenders must install an ignition interlock device (IID) for at least one year and complete mandatory probation.

Third DUI Offense (within ten years)

A third DUI offense within ten years is classified as a third-degree felony, carrying severe consequences. Penalties include up to five years in prison, fines between $2,000 and $5,000, and a ten-year license suspension. Offenders must also complete a mandatory alcohol treatment program and install an IID for at least two years.

Aggravated DUI Factors

Common aggravating factors in DUI cases include the following:

• High BAC (0.15% or above): This may lead to elevated penalties.
• DUI with a minor in the vehicle: Sentencing enhancements may apply if a child is present during the offense.
• Accident involving injury or property damage: Penalties often increase if the DUI is linked to an accident causing harm or loss.
• Refusal to submit to a breath, blood, or urine test: Refusing chemical tests often results in a separate driver's license suspension.

An Orlando DUI attorney can analyze the circumstances of a DUI charge to determine the best possible defense strategy.

DUI and License Suspension in Florida

A DUI charge often results in immediate administrative license suspension by the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles (DHSMV), separate from criminal proceedings. The length of suspension depends on prior offenses and whether the driver refused testing.

License Suspension Periods

• First DUI offense: 6-12 months
• Second DUI offense: Up to five years
• Third DUI offense: Up to ten years
• Refusal to submit to testing: One-year suspension for first refusal, 18 months for subsequent refusals

A hardship license may be available for those who complete DUI school and meet specific requirements. An Orlando DUI lawyer can represent clients in DHSMV hearings to challenge the suspension or apply for a hardship license.

Licensed DUI Programs

DUI (driving under the influence of alcohol) school is often ordered by the court for individuals convicted of DUI. In some cases, DUI school can prevent points from being added to a driver's license and reduce penalties. It may be necessary to attend a DUI school for at least 12 hours, depending on the charges.

Twenty-six licensed programs in Florida are overseen by the Bureau of Driver Education and DUI Programs. Several private and professional non-profit organizations offer DUI programs to satisfy judicial and driver licensing requirements by providing education, psychosocial evaluations, and treatment referrals to DUI offenders.

Education services include two types:

• First-time offenders are required to complete a minimum of 12 hours of classroom instruction with different interactive educational techniques.
• A minimum of 21 hours is required for Level II for multiple offenders, which focuses on the problems of the repeat offender and treatment readiness for the majority of students.

Understanding the DUI Court Process in Orlando

Navigating the DUI court process in Orlando can feel overwhelming, but understanding each stage helps clients make informed decisions and reduces anxiety. The process typically begins with an arrest, followed by arraignment, discovery, and potentially a trial if the case is not resolved earlier.

Arraignment takes place at the Orange County Courthouse, where you will be formally informed of the charges and asked to enter a plea. Before and after arraignment, your attorney will investigate the facts of the case, review evidence such as police reports and test results, and identify any errors in the arrest procedure. 

Throughout these preliminary stages, your legal counsel can engage with the local prosecutor’s office, negotiate possible plea agreements, or file motions to suppress evidence if your rights were violated during the stop or investigation.

At every step, the right DUI defense attorney gives you essential support, including:

• Clear explanation of the process including key dates and obligations
• Practical advice about how to respond to court communications
• Vigorous advocacy in hearings at Orange County Courts and other local venues

It is normal to have concerns about the potential impact of a DUI on your future, but having a drunk driving attorney Orlando residents trust can help ease the burden. By working with a defense team that understands local procedures and court staff, you gain advocates who know how to navigate the legal environment in Orlando and are prepared to answer your questions throughout every phase of your case.

Strategic Defense Tactics Used by Mazin Law

As your Orlando DUI defense lawyer, we don't just wait for a plea deal; we actively look for ways to have your charges reduced or dismissed. Our firm employs several high-level defense strategies:

• Challenging the Legality of the Stop: Law enforcement must have reasonable suspicion to pull you over. If the officer stopped you without a valid reason—such as a specific traffic violation or erratic driving—everything that happened after that stop (including your breath test results) can be suppressed and thrown out of court.
• Disputing Field Sobriety Tests (FSTs): Tests like the "one-leg stand" or "walk and turn" are highly subjective. Factors like uneven pavement, poor lighting, nervousness, or medical conditions (such as inner ear issues or back pain) can cause a sober person to fail. We use bodycam footage to show the jury that your "failure" was due to environmental factors, not impairment.
• Technical Breathalyzer Defense: Florida uses the Intoxilyzer 8000. These machines must be calibrated and maintained according to strict protocols under Florida Administrative Code Rule 11D-8. We demand maintenance logs and operator certifications. If the machine was not inspected within the required monthly or annual timeframe, the results may be inadmissible.
• The 20-Minute Observation Rule: Florida law requires an officer to observe a suspect for a continuous 20 minutes before a breath test to ensure they don't burp, vomit, or place anything in their mouth, which could cause a false high reading. If we can prove this observation period was interrupted, the test results can be suppressed.

Facing Charges? Consult an Orlando DUI Defense Attorney Without Delay

At Mazin Law, you will find an Orlando DUI lawyer accomplished at dealing with DUI cases. Attorney Lyle Mazin and his legal staff will take the time to carefully investigate your case, gather evidence, and find the proper legal strategies to take on your behalf.

As a former Assistant Public Defender, he has extensive experience in criminal law, effective negotiation techniques, and vigorously defending clients in thousands of cases. This kind of experience speaks volumes for the quality of legal service you will find at his firm. If you are facing any type of DUI charge, find out what your legal options are and what his firm can do to help you achieve the optimum case results you desire.

Contact the Orlando DUI attorney at the firm by calling (407) 477-6744 for capable legal counsel.