Tampa Radio Host Charged with DUI Causing Property Damage

A popular Tampa radio host is charged with causing an accident while driving under the influence of alcohol, according to Tampa police. The radio personality caused an accident with another vehicle. The driver suffered non-life-threatening injuries as a result of the crash. However, his vehicle was damaged. The radio host has been charged with DUI causing property damage which is more serious than a simple DUI. According to the accident report, the radio host ran a red light at an intersection and struck the other vehicle.

DUI causing property damage 

To prove DUI causing property damage, the prosecution must establish two factors. The first is that you were under the influence of drugs or alcohol at the time of the accident. The second is that you caused property damage to another driver, homeowner, or anyone else. The penalties for DUI causing property damage are harsher than those for simple DUI. They are harsher even than an aggravated DUI.

With a simple DUI, you can face 6 months in jail. For an aggravated DUI, you can face nine months in jail. For DUI causing property damage, you may face one year behind bars. DUI causing property damage is considered a first-degree misdemeanor. In many cases, simple DUIs qualify for diversion programs especially when it is a first offense. In the case of DUI causing property damage, the suspect would not qualify for a diversion program.

How can an attorney help? 

There are numerous ways that a DUI attorney can help a suspect who has been charged with DUI causing property damage. The prosecution has to establish that you were under the influence of drugs or alcohol when the accident occurred. In these cases, an individual whose BAC is at or near the legal limit may be able to argue that the test wasn’t conducted properly or that the margin of error makes it unclear whether or not they were over the legal limit. In these cases, a prosecutor may be willing to plead down to the offense of reckless driving. That, in general, is the goal of your attorney. To get a reduced plea or an acquittal.

In many cases, officers will charge a suspect before they know for certain whether they were under the influence of drugs or alcohol. A suspect may appear inebriated from the shock of the accident. Roadside sobriety tests may indicate that the suspect is under the influence of alcohol when they are really just shaken up by the accident. So, there is plenty of room to fight a DUI charge even when property damage occurs.

Talk to an Orlando DUI Attorney Today 

FL DUI Group represents the interests of those who have been charged with DUI in Orlando. Call our Florida DUI defense lawyers today to schedule an appointment and we can begin representing your defense to these serious charges.

Source:

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