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DUI DWI and Criminal Defense in Gainesville & Alachua County

People get arrested every day in Gainesville and Alachua County for driving under the influence (DUI), of drugs or alcohol and other criminal charges. But being charged with a crime does not make you guilty of that crime!

The phrase "Nobody is Perfect" applies to the police as much as it does to anyone else, and mistakes and procedural errors are common in DUI/DWI and criminal cases.

A DUI charge, drunk driving, is not something to be taken lightly.

If you have been arrested for DUI, then you are facing a SERIOUS LIFE ALTERING EVENT and you need to make some important decisions immediately!   This is why:

• A DUI in Florida is a mandatory criminal conviction! This is more serious than many felonies and can affect the rest of your life.
• A conviction means that if you are guilty of the crime, then your DUI record cannot ever be erased, sealed or expunged. A DUI doesn't go away. It can affect your present and future employment, admission to graduate schools, military options, and insurance rates.
• A DUI conviction in Florida will cause your insurance rates to skyrocket to as much as $3,000 to $5,000 per year for the next 3 to 5 years.
• University of Florida students may face suspension or expulsion.
• Your driving privileges could be completely revoked.

These are only a few of the many reasons that a DUI charge should be fought vigorously.

And once you get arrested, there truly is no time to lose in starting your defense.  A DUI charge in Florida carries with it a mandatory license suspension, and you only have ten days to appeal that suspension. Can you imagine trying to get to school, work, shop for groceries or pick your kids up from school when you have no driving privileges at all?

If you have been arrested for a DUI in Alachua County, there are two immediate steps that you should take:

1. Hire the best, the most qualified and the most experienced DUI legal team to represent you.

2. Do it ASAP! Don't wait to get help; it will only hurt your case. 

A successful DUI defense is one where either the charges are dropped or reduced to a lesser charge that won't have the same disastrous long lasting effect on your future.

DUI cases are often won by examining the minute details of each case. This requires being up to date on the latest in DUI technology such as the CMI Intoxilyzer 8000, knowing and employing cutting edge defense strategies including questioning the validity of the Field Sobriety Testing, and having the experience, expertise, time and knowledge to make a successful defense.

The number of DUI cases successfully defended over a long period of time is how a lawyer becomes skilled at DUI defense. 

This is THE single most important criteria for selecting a DUI lawyer.   It is critical to hire an attorney based on their qualifications and experience.  Experienced representation is THE most important factor in a successful DUI defense. 
 
Why Jeffrey Meldon and Associates for Your DUI Defense?

As Trial Lawyers: Jeffrey Meldon & Associates are dedicated to preserving the rights of the accused. 

DUI cases are more complex and complicated to defend than many other felonies.

DUI defense is a sub-catagory of criminal defense lawyers, and not all criminal defense attorneys handle DUI cases.  Attorneys Jeffrey Meldon and Tom Copeland have made DUI defense a concentration of their practice, and as a result they:

• Are experienced in DUI and criminal defense cases in Gainesville and Alachua County.
• Take pride in their work.
• Are often referred cases from other lawyers throughout the state for DUI defense.
• Are aware of the up to date defense strategies.
• Became part of a statewide network of DUI attorneys that share defense information and tactics.
• Have regularly taught DUI defense strategies to other attorneys throughout Florida.
• Handled numerous DMV's Formal Review Hearing.
• Handled numerous disiplinary actions on the behalf of University of Florida students, working with the University,  (Here is the latest news regarding disiplinary actions for students violating the Student Code of Conduct with a first time DUI arrest.)

With six decades of DUI defense experience, the attorneys at Jeffrey Meldon and Associates routinely accept referrals from attorneys all over Florida.

These referrals come to them based on their experience and respect in the legal community. 

If you or a loved one has been arrested for DUI, contact our office for a free consultation today @ 1 800 373 8000.

Financing is available.

Blog for DUI DWI and Criminal Defense in Gainesville & Alachua County

• Reminder - DUI does not always equal a high BAC.
• Drunk Driving Can Change Your Life Forever
• Binge Drinking: A Widespread Problem That Can Kill!
• Proposed changes to DUI arrests statute could very well effect you! Heads Up Florida!
• Students also need to know their options on how to stay safe if they choose to drink.
• DUI Deferred Prosecution pilot program not widely publicized.
• It is time for CMI to be straight with everyone about its Intoxilyzer 8000.
• "Watch out for yourself - and your friends," as Machen encourages in the Gator Watch Initiative is good, but just not enough. We as a City can and should do more!

Library for DUI DWI and Criminal Defense in Gainesville & Alachua County:

• Field Sobriety Testing reliability information for DUI Arrests in Gainesville, Alachua County. Know your rights during a DUI arrest   
  Description: In reality, Field Sobriety testing has been proven to be unreliable even if given under perfect conditions and are somewhat meaningless when it comes to proving DUI. In fact, roadside sobriety tests have little or no scientific validity at all. If you have been arrested for DUI and performed Field Sobriety testing, it is extreemly important to hire an experienced DUI lawyer ASAP.
• CMI Intoxilyzer 8000 Breath Testing Machine Information & Problems with it for DUI police arrests in Gainesville Alachua County Florida, attorney lawyer defenses   
  Description: The CMI Intoxilyzer 8000 is the breath testing machine currently used by the police departments in Gainesville, Alachua County, Florida. However this machine has never been scientifically proven to be accurate 100% of the time and there are some serious problems with it. There are legal defenses.
• If you are arrested for DUI DWI in Gainesville or Alachua County, You have 10 days to appeal your driver’s license suspension by requesting a DMV Formal Hearing Review   
  Description: At the time of your arrest in Alachua County, the police officer took your drivers license and gave you a DUI citation. This citation acts as your temporary driver’s license for 10 days. After these 10 days your license will be suspended for 6 months to 1 year, if this was your first offense. You have 10 days to appeal this suspension, and 10 days only. Here are things you need to know about the DMV's Formal Review Hearing.
• Criteria for the Deferred Prosecution pilot program for certain DUI's in Gainesville and Alachua County. Part II   
  Description: Experienced local DUI lawyers explain more about State Attorney Cevone's new pilot program of deferrred prosecution for certain DUI cases. This article focuses on the criteria for being considered for the program and its purpose.
• Deferred Prosecution pilot program for certain DUI's in Gainesville and Alachua County explained. Part I   
  Description: Experienced local DUI attorneys discuss Deferred Prosecution as it relates to State Attorney William Cervone's new pilot program for some DUI cases in Alachua County.
• Classification of Crimes in Florida   
  Description: All crimes in Florida are classified into felonies and misdemeanors. This library article writen by attorney Jeffrey Meldon gives a brief description of the various crimes and classifications and punishments and/or fines.
• New Proposed Bill Could Very Well Effect You!   
  Description: Gainesville, DUI lawyer, Tom Copeland gives a possible scenerio that helps explain how the proposed House Bill 793 could very well effect you! He urges you to contact your Florida legislators and urge them to vote no on this Bill.
• Drinking and Driving Do Not Mix Well! If you are going to drink.....   
  Description: Alachua County DUI Lawyer, discusses some options for avoiding the risks of drinking and driving. Remember the best way to avoid a DUI arrest and the devestation it can cause on your life is to not drink and drive. Here are some options and suggestions.
• Summary of the DUI conviction penalties in Gainesville, Alachua County and all of Florida   
  Description: This is a brief summary of the current criminal and DMV penalties for a DUI/DWI conviction in Florida.

View All

Frequent Questions for DUI DWI and Criminal Defense in Gainesville & Alachua County:

• Can I Drive After Being Arrested for a DUI in Gainesville or Alachua County?

• What is the information on an Ignition Interlock Device in Gainesville?
• If I am stopped by the police for DUI, should I "Blow" or not "Blow"?  Take the Breath Test or not?
• I was arrested for DUI off campus and now UF is sending me a letter regarding disciplinary actions, can they do that?
• Can my lawyer represent me at the University of Florida’s judicial affairs hearing?
• What should I look for in Gainesville, Fl Alachua County to find the best DUI/DWI defense lawyer?
• What am I facing with a DUI arrest in Gainesville, Florida? Whats the reality of a DUI charge in Alachua County? Consequences?
• When should I hire an attorney after my DUI arrest?
• What do I do about my Drivers License Suspension and the DMV?
• What are the 2 most important things to do after a DUI arrest in Gainesville or Alachua County? Why?
• What is a DWI? Is it a crime in Florida?
• What constitutes a DUI charge in Alachua County, Florida?
• What impact will being convicted of DUI have on my car insurance rates?
• I only had one drink how could that put me over the limit?
• I was arrested and charged with DUI does this mean I am guilty of DUI? What are the legal defenses for DUI?

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