Miami, Florida DUI Laws
DUI Defense in Miami, Florida
Miami (Miami-Dade County) is one of Florida’s largest metro areas — population 6.14 million. DUI cases here are processed through the 11th Judicial Circuit. The information below covers Florida DUI law as it applies to Miami defendants.
10 days-Day DMV Deadline — Time Is Running
Florida gives you 10 days days from arrest to request an administrative hearing with the Florida Bureau of Administrative Reviews to challenge your license suspension (§ 322.2615, Fla. Stat.). This deadline applies even if your criminal case is later dismissed. Missing it locks in the suspension automatically.
Florida DUI Laws — Miami Quick Reference
BAC Limit
0.08
§ 316.193, Fla. Stat.
Enhanced BAC
0.15
Higher fines + jail
DMV Deadline
10 days days
From arrest
First Offense DUI Penalties in Miami
Florida DUI penalties are set by state statute (§ 316.193, Fla. Stat.) and apply uniformly across FL. The same penalty ranges govern Miami defendants as the rest of the state.
Miami Court Information
Court
Miami-Dade County Clerk of the Courts
11th Judicial Circuit of Florida
Public Case Records
Case status and docket information are publicly available through the Miami-Dade County Clerk of Courts.
www.miami-dadeclerk.comMiami Local Detail
DUI cases in Miami-Dade County are heard in the 11th Judicial Circuit, one of Florida's busiest criminal dockets. The Miami-Dade State Attorney's Office operates the DUI Court program for eligible first offenders. Administrative license suspension hearings for Miami-Dade defendants are handled through the Florida Bureau of Administrative Reviews — the 10-day deadline under § 322.2615, Fla. Stat. is strictly enforced.
DUI Defense Considerations in Miami
This section provides general legal information about Florida DUI defense. It is not legal advice — case outcomes depend on specific facts, evidence, and the attorney handling your case.
Administrative vs. Criminal — Two Separate Cases
A Florida DUI arrest creates two independent proceedings: (1) a criminal case in Miami-Dade County’s courts; and (2) an administrative license suspension case through the Florida Bureau of Administrative Reviews. Winning or losing one does not automatically affect the other. The administrative case has a hard 10 days-day deadline to request a hearing — the criminal case operates on a separate, longer timeline.
Evidence Your Attorney Should Examine
Questions defendants typically ask their attorneys in Florida DUI cases: Was the traffic stop legally justified? Were field sobriety tests administered according to NHTSA standards? Was the breathalyzer device properly calibrated and maintained? Were blood draw procedures followed correctly? Was a rising BAC defense applicable? These are questions to raise with a FL-licensed attorney — not conclusions about your case.
Test Refusal Consequences
Under Florida’s implied consent law (§ 316.1932, Fla. Stat.), refusing a chemical test in Miami results in: 12-month license suspension (first refusal) / 18 months (second+). A second refusal is a separate first-degree misdemeanor. Refusal can also be used as evidence of consciousness of guilt in the criminal trial.
Full Florida DUI Law Coverage
The Miami DUI laws described here derive from Florida state statute. For complete statewide coverage, including all 50-state comparisons and the full Florida DUI penalty table:
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Important: This page provides general legal information about Florida DUI laws in Miami, Miami-Dade County, as of the date of publication. Florida statutes change frequently. This is not legal advice. For guidance specific to your case, speaking with a Florida-licensed attorney is one option, or take the free Masked Researcher’s First Read to see where your case stands. Florida DUI statute: § 316.193, Fla. Stat.