What Do I Do About My Drivers License Suspension and the DMV?
You have a time period of 10 days and 10 days only from your DUI arrest to appeal your Driver’s License Suspension. During these 10 days and only during these 10 days, you have the right to appeal the suspension by requesting a Formal Review Hearing (FRH) with the DMV.
If you file your appeal within 10 days, you will be granted a FRH (usually within 30 days) and given an extended business and/or school driving permit for 4 to 5 weeks.
If you fail to appeal the suspension within 10 days, you will lose your right to a FRH and your driver’s license suspension starts immediately!
If you fail to file your appeal within 10 days, you will be given a period of 30 or 90 days of “hard time”, during which you cannot drive at all!! Not to school, work or anywhere! (Beware: This period of “hard time” has led many people to lose their jobs) After this “hard time” you will have a greatly restricted license for 6 months to 1 year.
The FRH can be the single most important part of winning your Criminal DUI case! Because, even if you lose your FRH, this hearing gives you and your attorney the chance to obtain valuable evidence and testimony months before your criminal case is ready for trial. The information obtained from the FRH may lead to successful plea negotiations or a “not guilty” at trial. It is like a “mini” trial.
More about the FRH:
- The FRH is often won on technicalities and having an experienced DUI attorney with you is an important factor in winning your appeal and your case.
- If you can not afford to hire an attorney, you can request an Informal Review Hearing.
- Public Defenders are not allowed to do Formal Review Hearings (FRH).
- Some attorneys in town do not do Formal Review Hearings, or they charge extra for it.
Remember, the only sure way of avoiding the lifelong consequences of a DUI conviction is to not drink and drive!
However, if it is too late, do not make another mistake – hire an experienced DUI/DWI attorney to represent you and do it ASAP, don’t wait! You can contact us today at 800-373-8000.
The experienced Trial Attorneys at Meldon Law are dedicated to preserving the rights of the accused.
Pictured above – Dan Weisman, Jeffrey Meldon, and Carey Meldon have a combined 60 years of legal experience representing people in Gainesville, Florida and Alachua County, Florida accused of DUI/DWI and other criminal charges. They wrote the DUI Guide for Alachua County – Ways to Possibly Avoid a DUI Charge or Conviction. Request your free copy today.
This free no obligation book, written by a team of experienced DUI defense criminal trial attorneys, gives insight into what a DUI charge is, ways the State can prove the charge, and possible legal defenses.
Being charged and convicted of DUI is best avoided by not drinking and driving! This book also gives information on what it takes to be over the legal limit, how alcohol affects the body, plus much, much more!
