Last updated April 2026
⚠️ Arrested for DUI in Fort Lauderdale? What You Do Next Matters
If you’ve been arrested for DUI in Fort Lauderdale, every decision you make next matters. Your freedom, your driver’s license, and your permanent record are all at stake — and the clock starts running immediately after arrest.
As a former prosecutor, Attorney Michael White understands how Broward County DUI cases are built, how prosecutors evaluate evidence, and where DUI cases most often break down. That insight allows him to challenge weak cases early — before mistakes turn into convictions.
Serving clients throughout Fort Lauderdale and Broward County — and handling DUI cases across South Florida — we defend:
- first-time DUI arrests
- repeat DUI charges
- DUI with accident or injury
- DUI with serious bodily injury or DUI manslaughter
- commercial driver DUIs
- DUI cases involving professional licenses
For cases outside Broward County, strategy must account for regional differences. Learn more in South Florida DUI Lawyer.
⚖️ Understanding DUI Charges in Fort Lauderdale
In Florida, DUI is prosecuted under Florida Statute § 316.193.
A person may be charged with DUI if they are:
- driving with a blood-alcohol concentration (BAC) of 0.08% or higher, or
- driving while impaired by alcohol, drugs, or certain prescription medications
DUI law is broader than many drivers expect — and does not always require active driving.
For a full explanation of how DUI law works in Florida, see Florida DUI Laws: What Every Driver Needs to Know.
📑 DUI Penalties in Florida (2026 Overview)
Florida DUI penalties are set by statute, but outcomes vary significantly depending on the facts of the case and how the defense is handled.
For a full breakdown of sentencing exposure and enhancements, see Florida DUI Penalties.
🔁 Repeat & Felony DUI Charges
DUI cases become more serious when prior history or aggravating factors are involved.
Felony DUI may arise when:
- there are multiple prior offenses
- the case involves serious bodily injury
- the case involves a fatal crash
For a deeper look at how felony DUI cases are charged and defended, see Felony DUI in Florida.
🧪 DUI Testing & Evidence Issues
Many DUI cases rise or fall on how evidence was collected, tested, and documented.
Testing and evidence issues often involve:
- breath-testing compliance failures
- improper observation periods
- unreliable field sobriety exercises
- incomplete or inconsistent documentation
For a full breakdown of testing procedures and challenges, see Florida DUI Testing.
🔍 DUI Stops, Investigations & Suppression
The legality of the stop and investigation is often the most important issue in a DUI case.
For a full breakdown of how DUI stops are evaluated, see DUI Traffic Stops & Investigations in Florida.
If police violated constitutional rules, key evidence may be excluded. Learn how this works in Suppress DUI Evidence in Florida.
🚗 License Suspension After a DUI Arrest
A DUI arrest can trigger immediate administrative license suspension — often before your court case begins.
Drivers typically have 10 days to act.
For a full breakdown, see Florida DUI License Suspension & the 10-Day Rule.
⚖️ DUI Process & Defense Strategy
A DUI case unfolds in stages — and outcomes often depend on how early the defense is developed.
For a step-by-step breakdown of how DUI cases are fought and resolved, see DUI Process & Defense Strategy in Florida.
⚠️ DUI Consequences Beyond Court
A DUI can affect more than just your criminal case.
It may impact:
- your job
- your professional license
- your family
- your long-term record
For a deeper look at these real-world consequences, see What Happens After a DUI in Florida? Consequences That Affect Your Life.
⚠️ Non-Traditional DUI Cases
Florida DUI law can apply in unexpected situations.
This includes:
- boating under the influence
- DUI allegations involving non-traditional vehicles
Learn more in:
📞 Charged With DUI in Fort Lauderdale?
A DUI arrest does not automatically mean a conviction.
The strongest DUI defenses begin early — before evidence is locked in and before decisions are made that limit your options.
📱 Call (954) 270-0769
💬 Request your free consultation