What to Do After a DUI Arrest in Tampa, FL

A DUI arrest happens fast, and the decisions you make in the hours and days afterward can shape the outcome of your case. If you were recently arrested for DUI in Hillsborough, Pinellas, Pasco, or Polk County, here is what to know right away.

1. Stay Calm and Exercise Your Rights

You have the right to remain silent and the right to an attorney. Beyond providing basic identifying information, you are not required to answer questions about where you were coming from or how much you had to drink. Politely decline to discuss the details of your night until you have spoken with a lawyer.

2. Understand Florida's Implied Consent Law

Florida's implied consent law means that by driving on state roads, you've already agreed to submit to a breath, blood, or urine test if lawfully arrested for DUI. Refusing a test carries its own administrative penalties, including license suspension, separate from any criminal DUI charge.

3. Know the Timeline for Your License

After a DUI arrest, you typically have only 10 days to request a formal review hearing with the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles (DHSMV) to challenge an automatic license suspension. Missing this window can mean losing your driving privileges even before your criminal case is resolved.

4. Gather Everything You Remember

Write down the timeline of your night, where you were stopped, what the officer said, and any field sobriety exercises you were asked to perform. These details fade quickly and can matter a great deal to your defense.

5. Talk to a DUI Defense Attorney Before Your First Court Date

An experienced attorney can review whether the traffic stop was lawful, whether testing equipment was properly calibrated, and whether your rights were respected throughout the arrest. Early involvement often opens up options that aren't available later in the process.

Facing charges in Hillsborough, Pinellas, Pasco, or Polk County? Attorney Erica Irizarry offers free consultations and is ready to review your case. Call (813) 509-6075 or reach out online today.

This article is for informational purposes only and is not legal advice. No attorney-client relationship is formed by reading this post.