DUI and Criminal Defense

There is a big difference between being arrested and charged with a crime and being convicted of a crime.  

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.



Attorney Jeffrey Meldon      Attorney Tom Copeland     Attorney, Carey Meldon    
Attorneys Jeffrey Meldon ,  Tom Copeland and Carey Meldon head up the experienced DUI defense team at the Law Office of Jeffrey Meldon and Associates located in Gainesville and serving all of Alachua County, Florida. They strongly believe that providing the public with useful information and education is the first step in the prevention of drinking and driving, and in possiibly avoiding DUI convictions both of which can have many life-long consequences and effects. Feel free to call them or contact their office for more information.

A DUI Guide for Alachua County 
They have also recently written the DUI Guide Book for Alachua County, Ways to Possibly Avoid A DUI Charge or Conviction.  You can request your free copy today.   This book, written by these experienced DUI defense criminal trial lawyers, 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 gives information on what it takes to be over the legal limit, how alcohol affects the body, plus much, much more!



Blog for DUI and Criminal Defense

Library for DUI and Criminal Defense:

View All

Frequent Questions for DUI and Criminal Defense:

Videos about DUI and Criminal Defense: