DUI With Injury in Panama City
AGGRESSIVE DEFENSE & DEDICATED REPRESENTATION
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DUI
DUI with Injury
- Absorption Rate
- Alcohol Absorption
- BUI
- Challenging DUI Evidence
- DMV Hearings
- Driver's License Restoration
- DUI Penalties
- 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 Aggravated Assault
ALLEGATION: Client arrested for drive-by shooting and was facing the possibility of a minimum mandatory 15 year prison sentence under Florida’s 10-20-Life Law. RESULT: After consulting with with prosecutors and law enforcement NO CHARGES WERE FILED.
Negotiated Plea DUI Manslaughter
ALLEGATION: Client charged with DUI Manslaughter. Client faced up to 15 years prison and a permanent loss of his drivers’ license. RESULT: Client entered negotiated plea to probation and is eligible to drive with a hardship license.
Not Convicted Sexual Battery
ALLEGATION: Client who holds a professional certification and license with the State of Florida was accused of Sexual Battery with the possibility of 15 years prison and mandatory “Sexual Offender” designation. Arrest was reported in the Panama City News Herald. RESULT: Charge reduced without consent of victim to simple battery (misdemeanor). Client NOT CONVICTED of any criminal offense and not designated a Sexual Offender. Client able to return to work without loss of professional certification and license
Client NOT CONVICTED Violation of Probation
ALLEGATION: Client violated probation for a second time by failing to report (“absconding”), committing a new crime of Battery, not completing DUI school and failing to complete court ordered community service hours.
Not Convicted Violation of Probation
ALLEGATION: Client violated probation by failing to report (“absconding”) and committing a new felony of Obtaining a Controlled Substance by Forgery. Client was on probation for 7 counts of Obtaining a Controlled Substance by Fraud, 6 counts of Forgery, and 6 counts of Criminal Use of Personal Identification.
DUI With Injury in Panama City
Charges, Penalties, and Your Defence
A DUI arrest becomes exponentially more serious when someone was injured in an accident. The penalties escalate sharply, the charge may become a felony, and the prosecution’s approach changes entirely. If you have been charged with DUI with injury in Bay County, you need experienced legal representation — immediately.
Rusty Shepard is a former Assistant State Attorney who has handled DUI with injury cases on both sides of the courtroom. He knows how these cases are investigated, how evidence is gathered in the immediate aftermath of an accident, and where the prosecution’s case is most vulnerable.
Florida Law — DUI Causing Injury (Florida Statute § 316.193)
Florida defines DUI causing injury as operating a vehicle while impaired or with a BAC of 0.08% or higher and causing an accident in which another person suffers injury. The severity of the injury determines the level of the charge:
- Non-serious injury — First Degree Misdemeanour: up to 1 year in jail and a $1,000 fine. Minimum 3-year licence revocation if prior DUI convictions exist.
- Serious bodily injury — Third Degree Felony: up to 5 years in state prison and a $5,000 fine. ‘Serious bodily injury’ is defined as injury creating a substantial risk of death, serious personal disfigurement, or protracted loss or impairment of a bodily member or organ.
- Death — DUI Manslaughter: Second Degree Felony, up to 15 years in state prison. First Degree Felony if the driver fled the scene, up to 30 years. Covered separately at the vehicular manslaughter page.
What Makes DUI With Injury Different From Standard DUI
In a standard DUI case, the prosecution must prove impairment. In a DUI with injury case, the prosecution must prove both impairment and that your driving caused the accident that caused the injury. Causation is a separate element — and it is one that can be challenged.
Many DUI with injury cases involve accidents where fault is disputed. The other driver may have run a red light. Road conditions may have contributed. The injury may have been pre-existing or aggravated rather than caused. These are all lines of defence that Rusty Shepard investigates from the first consultation.
Key Defence Strategies
- Challenging impairment — breathalyser calibration, blood test procedures, field sobriety test administration, and non-intoxication causes for apparent impairment
- Challenging causation — disputing that your driving caused the accident, through independent accident reconstruction and witness investigation
- Challenging the severity of injury — the distinction between serious bodily injury and non-serious injury is the difference between a felony and a misdemeanour
- Fourth Amendment challenges — unlawful traffic stops, unlawful blood draws without consent or warrant, or Miranda violations during post-accident questioning
- Negotiating charge reduction — from serious bodily injury felony to non-serious injury misdemeanour, or from DUI to reckless driving, where the evidence supports it
Civil Liability — The Parallel Risk
A DUI with injury conviction creates significant exposure in a civil lawsuit brought by the injured party. Florida’s DUI conviction can be used as evidence of negligence per se in a civil case — meaning the conviction itself establishes liability without requiring the plaintiff to re-prove impairment. This makes fighting the criminal charge — not just minimising the sentence — critically important to your financial future as well as your freedom.
Charged with DUI causing injury in Panama City or Bay County? Call Shepard Law at (850) 290-2505 immediately. Available 24/7. Free consultation. Evidence deteriorates quickly — act now.
DUI
DUI with Injury
- Absorption Rate
- Alcohol Absorption
- BUI
- Challenging DUI Evidence
- DMV Hearings
- Driver's License Restoration
- DUI Penalties
- 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 Aggravated Assault
ALLEGATION: Client arrested for drive-by shooting and was facing the possibility of a minimum mandatory 15 year prison sentence under Florida’s 10-20-Life Law. RESULT: After consulting with with prosecutors and law enforcement NO CHARGES WERE FILED.
Negotiated Plea DUI Manslaughter
ALLEGATION: Client charged with DUI Manslaughter. Client faced up to 15 years prison and a permanent loss of his drivers’ license. RESULT: Client entered negotiated plea to probation and is eligible to drive with a hardship license.
Not Convicted Sexual Battery
ALLEGATION: Client who holds a professional certification and license with the State of Florida was accused of Sexual Battery with the possibility of 15 years prison and mandatory “Sexual Offender” designation. Arrest was reported in the Panama City News Herald. RESULT: Charge reduced without consent of victim to simple battery (misdemeanor). Client NOT CONVICTED of any criminal offense and not designated a Sexual Offender. Client able to return to work without loss of professional certification and license
Client NOT CONVICTED Violation of Probation
ALLEGATION: Client violated probation for a second time by failing to report (“absconding”), committing a new crime of Battery, not completing DUI school and failing to complete court ordered community service hours.
Not Convicted Violation of Probation
ALLEGATION: Client violated probation by failing to report (“absconding”) and committing a new felony of Obtaining a Controlled Substance by Forgery. Client was on probation for 7 counts of Obtaining a Controlled Substance by Fraud, 6 counts of Forgery, and 6 counts of Criminal Use of Personal Identification.
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.
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.
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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.
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