DUI Defense

There is a saying about DUI in the Florida Keys: "arrive on vacation, leave on probation, return for violation."  There are more police officers in the Keys than any other area of Florida, and they are not reluctant to pull over anyone they think might be impaired.  Driving Under the Influence of drugs or alcohol (DUI) cases are one of Bill Heffernan's primary specialties, and he has handled hundreds of trials in this area.  A significant portion of his DUI practice is for individuals who come to Florida on vacation and receive DUI citations.  In some cases, it is possible to negotiate a plea bargain without the defendant returning to Florida.

Penalties for DUI in Florida are harsh.  For the first offense, there is a mandatory 8 hour stay in jail, and the driver's car is impounded.  It is extremely important to retain the services of an attorney immediately after being arrested for DUI!  There are two ongoing issues with a DUI citation-the punishment delivered by the courts and your driving privileges, determined by the Department of Safety.  Once you have been charged, there are time constraints that immediately begin to run in regards to your driving privileges.  Once you are charged, you are stripped of your driver's license.  A DUI attorney can get you a temporary driving permit and a hearing as to probable cause for the stop.  If you do not obtain this hearing, your driving privileges expire 10 days after arrest when your temporary permit expires.   If you request a formal hearing, you can obtain a temporary license.

Repeat offenses for DUI carry increasingly higher penalties.  On a second offense, you lose your license for up to five years or at least 12 months, and are usually required to spend 10 days in jail.    Pleading to these charges can reduce your jail time and the time your license is suspended, and keep you from being labeled a repeat offender.

Bill Heffernan is known and respected by local prosecutors for his work defending individuals charged with DUI in Marathon and the Florida Keys.  Negotiating from a position of strength, he can obtain favorable plea bargains even in some of the most difficult cases.  If you are in need of a DUI attorney in the Florida Keys, please do not hesitate to call our office today at 305-743-2288, or fill out the form on the Contact Us page and someone from our office will be in contact with you shortly.  Remember, if you have been charged with DUI, it is important to hire a criminal lawyer right away.  We look forward to hearing from you!

W.J. Heffernan, Jr. P.A.
9703 Overseas Highway
Marathon, Florida 33050
Telephone: (305) 743-2288
Fax: (305) 743-9272
E-Mail