DUI
AGGRESSIVE DEFENSE & DEDICATED REPRESENTATION
Our Panama City Firm Has Much to Offer. Learn Why People Choose Shepard Law.
- Absorption Rate
- Alcohol Absorption
- BUI
- Challenging DUI Evidence
- DMV Hearings
- Driver's License Restoration
- DUI Penalties
- DUI with Injury
- Facing a DUI Conviction?
- Felony DUI
- First Time GUI
- Peak Alcohol Levels
- Unlawful Police Stops
- Underage DUI
- Vehicular Manslaughter
- Multiple Offense DUI
- Drug DUI
- Aggravated DUI
No Charges Filed
Aggravated Assault
Charge: Aggravated assault arising from an alleged drive-by shooting
Court: Bay County
Outcome: The client faced the possibility of a lengthy mandatory prison sentence. Following discussions with prosecutors and law enforcement, no charges were filed.
Negotiated Plea
DUI Manslaughter
Charge: DUI manslaughter
Court: Bay County
Outcome: The client faced up to 15 years in prison and permanent loss of driving privileges. The matter was resolved by negotiated plea to probation, with eligibility for a hardship license.
Not Convicted
Sexual Battery
Charge: Sexual battery
Court: Bay County
Outcome: The client, who holds a professional license in Florida, faced up to 15 years in prison and mandatory sex offender designation. The charge was reduced, over the objection of the complainant, to simple battery, a misdemeanor. The client was not convicted of any criminal offense, was not designated a sex offender, and returned to work with their professional license intact.
Not Convicted
Violation of Probation
Charge: Violation of probation, second violation. Alleged failure to report, a new battery offense, failure to complete DUI school, and failure to complete court ordered community service.
Court: Bay County
Outcome: The client was not convicted.
Not Convicted
Violation of Probation
Charge: Violation of probation. Alleged failure to report and a new felony offense of obtaining a controlled substance by forgery, while serving probation for multiple counts of obtaining a controlled substance by fraud, forgery, and criminal use of personal identification.
Court: Bay County
Outcome: The client was not convicted.
Frequently Asked Questions
What should I do immediately after a DUI arrest?
Stay calm. Comply with law enforcement. Do not make statements about what you had to drink or where you were. Contact Shepard Law as soon as you are able. Early legal intervention matters — evidence fades, witnesses move on, and the decisions you make in the first 24 hours can significantly affect the outcome.
Can I refuse a field sobriety test in Florida?
Yes. Field sobriety tests are voluntary in Florida and you can decline. However, Florida’s implied consent law means that refusing a breath, blood, or urine test after a lawful arrest will result in an automatic license suspension and can be used as evidence against you. Knowing your rights in the moment is critical.
Can a DUI be reduced to reckless driving?
Yes — in many cases. A reduction to reckless driving carries significantly lower penalties and does not carry the same long-term consequences as a DUI conviction. Whether this is possible depends on the facts of your case, the evidence, and the skill of your defense attorney. Rusty Shepard has successfully negotiated DUI reductions in Bay County courts throughout his career.
Panama City DUI Attorney
A Former Prosecutor in Your Corner
A DUI arrest changes everything in a matter of minutes. Your license. Your job. Your record. The way people see you. And in a place like Panama City — where tourism, nightlife, and law enforcement checkpoints intersect year-round — DUI charges are aggressively pursued.
But an arrest is not a conviction. And how you respond in the hours and days after an arrest can determine everything about how this turns out.
Rusty Shepard is a former Assistant State Attorney who spent years understanding exactly how prosecutors build DUI cases. Now he uses that knowledge to defend people in Bay County, Panama City, and across Florida’s 14th Judicial Circuit. When you hire Shepard Law, you get a former prosecutor working for you — not against you.
Florida DUI Law: What the State Must Prove
Under Florida Statute § 316.193, a DUI conviction requires the State to prove:
- You drove or were in actual physical control of a vehicle, AND
- You were under the influence of alcohol or controlled substances to the extent your normal faculties were impaired, OR
- Your Blood/Breath Alcohol Content (BAC) was 0.08% or higher
Every element of that definition can be challenged. Whether the traffic stop was lawful. Whether the field sobriety tests were administered correctly. Whether the breathalyser was calibrated and operating properly. Whether your BAC at the time of driving — not the time of testing — actually exceeded the legal limit.
Field Sobriety Tests: What Law Enforcement Doesn't Tell You
Florida officers use three standardised field sobriety tests — the Horizontal Gaze Nystagmus, the Walk-and-Turn, and the One-Leg Stand. Each test has specific administration protocols. When those protocols are not followed precisely, the results can be challenged and potentially suppressed.
Rusty Shepard knows these tests inside and out. As a former prosecutor who relied on them to build cases, he knows exactly where the weaknesses are.
DUI Penalties in Florida
First offense DUI penalties in Florida can include:
- Fines up to $1,000
- Up to six months in jail
- license suspension of 180 days to one year
- Ten days vehicle impoundment
- 50 hours of community service
- One year of probation
- Possible ignition interlock device requirement
Penalties increase significantly for multiple offenses, high BAC readings, DUI with injury, DUI manslaughter, and cases involving minors. The long-term consequences — insurance increases, employment impact, professional license jeopardy — compound everything.
Defending DUI Charges: Where We Look First
Shepard Law examines every DUI case from the beginning. That means:
- Was the traffic stop lawful? Did the officer have probable cause to pull you over?
- Were field sobriety tests administered correctly and fairly?
- Was the Intoxilyzer 8000 properly calibrated and maintained?
- Were your rights read to you at the appropriate time?
- Is there witness evidence or dashcam footage that supports your account?
No case is hopeless. Rusty Shepard’s goal in every DUI case is to have the charge dismissed, reduced to reckless driving, or to obtain a Not Guilty verdict at trial. Preparation is what makes the difference.
DUI Cases We Handle
- First offense DUI
- Multiple offense DUI
- Underage DUI
- Aggravated DUI
- DUI with injury
- Felony DUI
- DUI Manslaughter
- Drug DUI
- BUI (Boating Under the Influence)
Arrested for DUI in Panama City, Bay County, or the surrounding area? Call Shepard Law at (850) 290-2505 for a free consultation. Rusty Shepard is available 24/7 — because a DUI arrest does not wait for business hours
- Absorption Rate
- Alcohol Absorption
- BUI
- Challenging DUI Evidence
- DMV Hearings
- Driver's License Restoration
- DUI Penalties
- DUI with Injury
- Facing a DUI Conviction?
- Felony DUI
- First Time GUI
- Peak Alcohol Levels
- Unlawful Police Stops
- Underage DUI
- Vehicular Manslaughter
- Multiple Offense DUI
- Drug DUI
- Aggravated DUI
No Charges Filed
Aggravated Assault
Charge: Aggravated assault arising from an alleged drive-by shooting
Court: Bay County
Outcome: The client faced the possibility of a lengthy mandatory prison sentence. Following discussions with prosecutors and law enforcement, no charges were filed.
Negotiated Plea
DUI Manslaughter
Charge: DUI manslaughter
Court: Bay County
Outcome: The client faced up to 15 years in prison and permanent loss of driving privileges. The matter was resolved by negotiated plea to probation, with eligibility for a hardship license.
Not Convicted
Sexual Battery
Charge: Sexual battery
Court: Bay County
Outcome: The client, who holds a professional license in Florida, faced up to 15 years in prison and mandatory sex offender designation. The charge was reduced, over the objection of the complainant, to simple battery, a misdemeanor. The client was not convicted of any criminal offense, was not designated a sex offender, and returned to work with their professional license intact.
Not Convicted
Violation of Probation
Charge: Violation of probation, second violation. Alleged failure to report, a new battery offense, failure to complete DUI school, and failure to complete court ordered community service.
Court: Bay County
Outcome: The client was not convicted.
Not Convicted
Violation of Probation
Charge: Violation of probation. Alleged failure to report and a new felony offense of obtaining a controlled substance by forgery, while serving probation for multiple counts of obtaining a controlled substance by fraud, forgery, and criminal use of personal identification.
Court: Bay County
Outcome: The client was not convicted.
Frequently Asked Questions
What should I do immediately after a DUI arrest?
Stay calm. Comply with law enforcement. Do not make statements about what you had to drink or where you were. Contact Shepard Law as soon as you are able. Early legal intervention matters — evidence fades, witnesses move on, and the decisions you make in the first 24 hours can significantly affect the outcome.
Can I refuse a field sobriety test in Florida?
Yes. Field sobriety tests are voluntary in Florida and you can decline. However, Florida’s implied consent law means that refusing a breath, blood, or urine test after a lawful arrest will result in an automatic license suspension and can be used as evidence against you. Knowing your rights in the moment is critical.
Can a DUI be reduced to reckless driving?
Yes — in many cases. A reduction to reckless driving carries significantly lower penalties and does not carry the same long-term consequences as a DUI conviction. Whether this is possible depends on the facts of your case, the evidence, and the skill of your defense attorney. Rusty Shepard has successfully negotiated DUI reductions in Bay County courts throughout his career.
What Sets Shepard Law Apart?
Your case is our priority. We aim for the best outcome.
We understand the complexities of the legal system and the impact on your life. Our focus is on securing your future.
CLIENT FEEDBACK
Our clients’ voices matter. Read about real cases and the positive outcomes achieved with our legal guidance.
Highly Recommended
“This firm got my case dismissed and I didn’t have to spend a single day in court.”
– King R.
Personable and understanding
“Rusty is very personable and accommodating. He made himself available on short notice and met with me after hours. He told me not to worry and got everything dismissed in court this morning! Thank you Rusty and Lisa!!!”
– Lauren
Sweetest, kindest, most Professional #1
“Mr. Shepard and his staff are amazing! They went above and beyond to help me. I would not want anyone else on my team! I am young and despite that, he made sure that the judge saw me as a person and not just a young person. He and his office even spent extra time with me and attended to every single thousand question that I had. They could not get a better rating 10 stars!!”
– Jessica
Absolutely Recommend
“Shepard Law is truly one of a kind!!! Their team of attorneys and support staff knows criminal law inside and out. They will take a case to trial with no fear and are a force to be seen in the courtroom!!!! They are compassionate and make their clients feel supported every single step of the way. They are flexible with payment options, which allows everyone to be able to receive TOP QUALITY representation. I would absolutely recommend Shepherd Law to any of my friends or family members without hesitation.”
– Vanessa M.
Under a time line!!!
“My wife and I found out on a Monday that we needed a Defense Attorney on Tuesday for a family situation. I called the office and Megan quickly contacted Rusty and he reassured us that he would be at court on Tuesday and he would take care of everything. Those words were the most comforting we’ve heard as this came up not long after Hurricane Michael. Rusty and his office has no idea how much he helped us and how much we appreciate their quick response. Thank you will never cover how much you guys mean to us.”
– Craig E.
CONTACT US FOR A FREE CONSULTATION
At Shepard Law, we’re always ready to take your call! Give us a call at (850) 290-2505 or fill out the form below to contact one of our team members.