DUI Attorney Destin

Being arrested for driving under the influence in Destin can have serious consequences. A DUI charge in Florida can result in fines, jail time, license suspension, and a permanent criminal record. Whether you were pulled over near Highway 98, on your way back from the beach, or during a traffic stop in a residential area, what happens next matters.

You do not have to face this alone. At Browning Law Firm, we provide strong legal defense for people accused of DUI. Led by former Florida State Trooper Coy H. Browning, our team understands the legal system and law enforcement procedures inside and out. If you need a skilled DUI attorney in Destin, we are ready to protect your rights and your future.

What Happens After a DUI Arrest in Destin?

Florida law treats DUI as a serious criminal offense. After an arrest, you are not just facing a traffic violation. You are dealing with both administrative penalties from the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles (DHSMV) and criminal charges in court.

The administrative side begins almost immediately. If you refused a breath, blood, or urine test, or if your blood alcohol content (BAC) was .08 or higher, your driver’s license may be suspended on the spot. You only have 10 days from the date of your arrest to request a formal review hearing to challenge this suspension.

On the criminal side, your case moves through the county court system. A conviction will trigger criminal penalties and may appear on your permanent record. Prosecutors may also seek enhanced charges based on specific circumstances, such as:

• Prior DUI convictions
• High BAC levels (.15 or higher)
• DUI with a minor in the vehicle
• Causing property damage or injury
• Refusal to submit to testing after a prior refusal

Key consequences may include:

• Immediate or automatic driver’s license suspension
• Vehicle impoundment
• Jail time, house arrest, or probation
• Mandatory DUI education courses
• Substance abuse evaluation and treatment
• Fines, court costs, and restitution
• Community service requirements
• Installation of an ignition interlock device

In addition to legal penalties, a DUI conviction can affect multiple areas of your life. You may face higher insurance premiums, loss of professional licenses, difficulty passing background checks, and even problems with child custody or immigration status. Having a DUI lawyer in Destin by your side from the beginning can make a critical difference in how your case is handled and how much of an impact it has on your future.

Why You Need a DUI Attorney in Destin

Many people assume that if they failed a breath test or field sobriety test, they have no choice but to plead guilty. That is not true. DUI cases are highly technical, and a skilled defense attorney can identify ways to challenge the evidence against you.

Our legal team will:

• Review whether the traffic stop was legal
• Examine how field sobriety tests and breathalyzer tests were administered
• Challenge faulty or improperly maintained testing equipment
• Investigate whether your rights were violated at any point during the stop or arrest
• Work to reduce charges or negotiate alternatives to jail
• Represent you at DHSMV license hearings and in criminal court

Coy H. Browning’s law enforcement background gives our firm an edge. He knows how DUI investigations are supposed to work and when police officers fail to follow proper procedures.