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First Time DUI Charges in Panama City
Charged with a 1st Time DUI? Take action to fight back.
A first time DUI is an extremely frightening experience. This is often the first interaction that the accused person has ever had with law enforcement and the criminal justice system. Whether your charges took place at a sobriety checkpoint or you were pulled over due to some alleged unsafe driving behavior or another minor infraction, the situation is extremely dangerous legally.
There are many people who don't realize that there could be real options to resolve the case favorably, whether in a full dismissal, reduced charge or an acquittal. The first action to take after an arrest is to contact Shepard Law in Panama City. The firm has a reputation for excellent defense work and should review your situation on an immediate basis.
Defending First Time DUI Charges
The first thing you are going to want to do to protect yourself from DUI charges is teaming up with a trustworthy Panama City DUI lawyer from our firm. With our legal insight into your DUI charges, we can get a clear picture of what led to your arrest and begin identifying any errors that could have been made in police procedure. It is not uncommon for a significant error to have taken place, whether in a rights violation in the initial police stop, conflicting reports from officers or eyewitnesses, or a failure to correctly administer field sobriety tests. Any problem with police procedure could end up rendering consequently collect evidence as inadmissible.
We will also want to consider reasons why you may have failed a field sobriety test that do not involve intoxication. There are many reasons a person could fail the tests, including nervousness, physical problems, an inability to understand the language of the officer correctly, medical issues, or simply fear of the situation. How the tests are administered and the circumstances surrounding your arrest can be of critical importance to your case. Allow our Panama City first time DUI lawyer to review all of the evidence to look for the weak points that could be exploited in a defense case.
Understanding DUI Penalties in Panama City
There are extensive DUI penalties that can be imposed by the court in a first time DUI conviction. The dangers of suffering significant financial losses, lose the ability to drive a vehicle legally, as well as having permanent damage to your criminal record are very real.
The law allows for certain penalties to be imposed in a 1st time DUI. These include:
- Fines – up to $500
- Community Service – 50 hours
- Probation – up to 1 year
- Jail time – up to 6 months
- Jail time if minor in vehicle – up to 9 months
- License revocation – minimum 180 days
- DUI school – 12 hours
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.
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Available 24/7
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Former Prosecutors
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Free Initial Consultation
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Over Four Decades of Experience
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Superb Rating on Avvo
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Handled 10,000+ Cases
cLIENT fEEDBACK
Our clients' voices matter. Read about real cases and the positive outcomes achieved with our legal guidance.
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“The folks at Shepard law are always available to speak with you by phone and or email! They made the disability process seem easy as they navigated through the system timely and effectively. I would recommend this firm to any and all of my friends.”- Darryl W.
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“This firm is the best all around! I highly recommend Mr Shepard and his staff.”- Amanda D.
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“Shepard Law was amazing. I worked with Rusty Shepard and Megan Hance. They were a pleasure to work with during a challenging time in my life. They were considerate, kind, non-judgemental, and very effective.”- D. C.
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“Such a great team! Helped us every step of the way and communication was perfect. So thankful for the help from Shepard Law. My family and I are very pleased with their work. Definitely recommend. Good work guys!”- Karen B.
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“They gained my trust day one working with them. Everyone here are wonderful at what they do. And anytime I had a question, I sent them an email, and they would call me by close of the business day.”- Raymond V.