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Criminal Defense
West Palm Beach DUI Lawyer
A DUI arrest can turn your life upside down in a single night. You are wondering what it means for your license, your job, and your record.
This is where a DUI defense attorney can help. At Hutchinson & Huffman, P.A., we represent drivers charged with DUI throughout West Palm Beach and Palm Beach County, and we serve clients across Martin and Broward counties as well. We are ready to challenge the State Attorney, question the evidence, and build a defense aimed at the most favorable outcome the facts allow.
If you or a loved one was arrested for driving under the influence, call Request a confidential consultation or call (561) 838-9793.
Is a DUI a Traffic Ticket or a Criminal Charge?
In Florida, driving under the influence is a criminal charge, handled by the courts, not a simple traffic ticket. On top of the criminal side, there is also an administrative side involving your driver's license, which the state can act on quickly and separately from your court case. That is part of why a DUI feels like it is coming at you from two directions at once, and part of why getting a lawyer involved early matters so much.
A DUI can be charged as a misdemeanor or, in certain situations, a felony. Factors like prior offenses, whether anyone was injured, and whether a child was in the vehicle can raise the level of the charge. Because the specifics matter, it is worth talking through your exact situation with an attorney rather than guessing.
After a DUI arrest in Florida, you have only 10 days to request a formal review hearing and challenge your driver's license suspension — a deadline that runs from the date of arrest, not the court date.
Losing the ability to drive is one of the first worries most people have, and it is a real one. A DUI in Florida can carry a driver's license suspension, and the length depends on your record and the circumstances of your case.
The good news is that a suspension is not always the end of the story. Florida allows some drivers to seek a hardship or restricted license for limited purposes, like getting to work. Eligibility depends on your history and the details of your case, and there are often deadlines that move fast after an arrest. Helping clients protect and, where possible, restore their driving privileges is a core part of what we do. The sooner you call, the more options we can preserve.
I Was Arrested for DUI After Taking a Prescription. How?
Most people think of alcohol when they hear "DUI," but you can be charged for driving while impaired by any substance, including a prescription medication taken exactly as your doctor directed. These cases catch a lot of people off guard, and older drivers in particular. A prescription-related DUI often turns on complex questions about impairment and evidence, which is exactly the kind of case where an experienced defense attorney can push back.
How We Defend DUI Cases
There is no one-size-fits-all DUI defense. Every case turns on its own facts, and our job is to find the weak points in the state's case. Depending on your situation, that can include looking closely at:
- Whether the traffic stop was lawful in the first place
- How field sobriety exercises were administered and interpreted
- Whether breath or blood testing was done correctly and by properly maintained equipment
- Whether your rights were respected during the stop, arrest, and booking
Sometimes these issues open the door to a dismissal or reduced charge. Other times the strongest path is negotiating for a resolution that keeps you out of jail or off your record where the law allows. We will walk you through the realistic options for your case, in plain language, so you can make informed decisions.
If a prior charge already resulted in a record, it may still be possible to clear it. See our guide on how to expunge a criminal record in Florida for the eligibility rules and the steps involved.
Common Questions About DUI in Palm Beach County
Are DUI checkpoints legal in West Palm Beach?
Yes, but they have to follow strict constitutional rules. A checkpoint cannot be random or arbitrary. It has to operate under a stated plan, treat vehicles consistently, and generally provide advance notice. If those rules were not followed, that can matter to your defense.
Can I get a DUI without a driver's license?
Yes. What matters is whether you were in control of the vehicle while impaired. Your license status does not change that.
Can I get a DUI for drugs, not alcohol?
Yes. DUI covers impairment from alcohol, drugs, or a combination of the two, including legal prescriptions.
Do I have to take a field sobriety test?
Field sobriety exercises are difficult to perform even when you are completely sober, and the rules around them and around chemical testing can be complicated. Florida's implied consent law also carries consequences for refusing certain tests. Because the right answer depends on your situation, this is exactly the kind of thing to ask an attorney about as early as possible.
What are the consequences of a DUI conviction?
A DUI conviction can affect your driving privileges, your insurance, your record, and more, and the specifics depend on your case. We can walk you through what you are realistically facing once we review the details together.
Talk to a West Palm Beach DUI Attorney
A DUI arrest is stressful, but it is not the end of the road. Many people arrested for DUI are good, law-abiding people who made one mistake or were simply in the wrong place at the wrong time. Whether this is your first arrest or not, we will work to protect you, your license, and your future, and we can connect you with treatment resources if that would help.
Do not wait to get advice. Deadlines on the license side move quickly. Request a confidential consultation or call (561) 838-9793.
Results depend on the specific facts of each case. Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome.
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