Orlando First-Offense DUI Attorneys
First DUI Arrest? Talk to an Orlando First-Time DUI Lawyer Before You Plead to Anything.
A first DUI in Orlando is frightening, but it's also the most defensible DUI you'll ever face. Our first-time DUI attorneys protect your license within the 10-day window, challenge the evidence and fight to keep a permanent DUI conviction off your record. Call (407) 777-8888
- Free, confidential consultation
- Se habla español
- Former public defender on the team
- Google rating
- 5.0130+ Google reviews
- Experience
- 2011Practicing law in Orlando since
- Languages
- EN / ESSe habla español
Free Case Review
Charged with a first DUI? Tell us what happened.
100% confidential. We never share your information. This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.
“The reviews speak for themselves. Trust in the process — Alexandra will deliver.”
What's at Stake
One Bad Night Shouldn't Become a Permanent Record.
A first DUI often happens to people who have never been in trouble — a dinner with wine, a work event, one miscalculation on the drive home. Florida still treats it as a crime. Here's what's at stake.
The 10-day license window
You have 10 days from arrest to request a DHSMV formal review hearing. After that, the suspension takes effect automatically.
A conviction you can't seal
Florida doesn't allow a withhold of adjudication on a DUI, and a DUI conviction can never be sealed or expunged.
Your job and your future
A DUI shows up on background checks for jobs, apartments, professional licenses and some school programs.
Pleading to “get it over with”
A quick plea at your first court date locks in the conviction. Talk to us before you talk to police or the court.
Let us stand between you and the State.
Ali Almamluk · Criminal Defense Attorney · Former Public Defender
A first arrest has more defense options than any other DUI. We make sure you use them.
One Mistake Shouldn't Define You
Why Your First DUI Deserves a Real Defense
Florida treats a first offense as a criminal charge, not a slap on the wrist. A conviction under Florida Statute § 316.193 brings a fine, probation, community service, DUI school, a vehicle impound and a license revocation — and a record that follows you through every future background check.
Here's what most first-time offenders don't realize: because you have no prior record, your case has more options than almost any other DUI charge. The evidence — a breath test, roadside exercises, an officer's report — is often more challengeable than it looks. Depending on the facts, a first offense may be reduced to a non-DUI charge such as reckless driving or dismissed altogether. But the window to use those options closes fast.
At ANT Law Firm, our Orlando first-time DUI attorneys request your DHSMV hearing within the 10-day deadline, get the video and breath test records, and push for the outcome that keeps a DUI off your record. We prepare every first-offense case as if a jury will decide it, and that preparation is what gives you leverage.
- Your DHSMV hearing requested on time
- The stop and arrest examined
- Breath test records subpoenaed
- Roadside exercises reviewed on video
- A reduced, non-DUI charge pursued
- Your case prepared for a jury
Step-by-Step
What to Do After Your First DUI Arrest in Orlando
You've never been through this before, and that's okay. Here's what to do in the first 10 days to protect your license and your defense.
Just arrested?
Stay silent and ask for a lawyer. Talk to us before you talk to police. It's free and confidential.
- 01
Don't explain your night to anyone
Not to the officer, not on social media, not by text. Anything you say about what you drank can be used as evidence. - 02
Don't miss this
Act within 10 days to protect your license
Your citation is a temporary permit, but you have only 10 days to request a formal review hearing or choose another license option. Talk to an attorney first — the choice affects your defense. - 03
Write down your timeline
What and when you ate and drank, when you started driving, why you were stopped and what tests you were asked to do. Memories fade quickly. - 04
Keep every document
Your citation, the breath test printout, bond and impound paperwork, and any receipts that show where you were and when. - 05
Don't plead guilty at your first court date
A not-guilty plea keeps every defense open. Your attorney can usually file it in writing for you. - 06
Call an Orlando first-time DUI attorney
We'll review the stop, the tests and your options for free. Call (407) 777-8888 for a confidential consultation.
Trial-Ready Defense
Prosecutors Make Better Offers When Your Lawyer Is Ready for Trial
The State is counting on first-time defendants to plead quickly. You deserve a defense team that knows how a DUI case is built — and where it falls apart.
“Working with Alex and her team was truly one of the best professional experiences I've had. From start to finish, they exceeded my expectations.”
Your defense team
Ali Almamluk, Esq.
Criminal defense & litigation attorney
- Former public defender — he has stood beside people facing criminal charges
- Former insurance defense attorney — he knows how the other side builds a case
- Works alongside founding attorney Alexandra Tosado, practicing law since 2011
- Bilingual team — every conversation can happen in English or Spanish
The Plan
Three Steps From Arrest to a Defense
- 01
Call for a free, confidential consultation.
Tell us what happened. Nothing you say leaves the room.
- 02
We review the evidence.
We find the weaknesses in the State's case before you make any decisions.
- 03
We fight to reduce or dismiss the charges.
At trial if needed. You'll know your options at every step.
Free, confidential consultation · Se habla español
How Our Attorneys Build Your First-DUI Case for Trial
First offenses resolve best when the prosecutor knows your lawyer is ready for trial. Here's what happens once you hire us.
We protect your license
We act within the 10-day window — requesting your formal review hearing or, when it's the better choice, guiding you to a hardship license.We get the evidence
Body cam and dash cam video, the arrest report, the breath test results and the machine's maintenance and inspection records.We test every step
Was the stop lawful? Was there probable cause? Were the roadside exercises and breath test done by the rules?We negotiate from strength
With no prior record and the evidence weakened, we push for a dismissal or a reduced, non-DUI charge.We try your case
If the State won't offer a fair resolution, we take your first-DUI case to a jury.
What You're Facing
Florida First-Time DUI Penalties
These are the penalties Florida Statute § 316.193 sets for a first DUI conviction. A breath or blood result of 0.15 or higher, or a minor in the car, raises them.
Fine
$500–$1,000. $1,000–$2,000 with a BAC of 0.15+ or a minor in the vehicle.
Jail
Up to 6 months. Up to 9 months with a BAC of 0.15+ or a minor in the vehicle.
License revocation
180 days to 1 year on conviction, separate from the administrative suspension at arrest.
Probation
Up to 1 year, combined with any jail time.
Community service
50 hours of mandatory community service.
DUI school
A state-approved DUI program, plus any treatment the evaluation recommends.
Vehicle impound
Your vehicle impounded or immobilized for 10 days.
Ignition interlock
Required for at least 6 months with a BAC of 0.15+ or a minor in the car; otherwise up to the judge.
Not sure what you're facing? We'll tell you, free and confidentially.
Get a Free Confidential ConsultationFlorida DUI Law
How Florida Prosecutes a First DUI — and How We Defend It
A first DUI is a misdemeanor handled in county court, but it runs on two tracks at once. Here's what matters for your case.
- Act within
- 10 daysOf arrest, to request a DHSMV formal review hearing.
- Legal limit
- 0.08Or impairment of your normal faculties at any level.
- Administrative suspension
- 6 monthsFor a first breath or blood result of 0.08+. A first refusal is 1 year.
- Enhanced penalties at
- 0.15Higher fines, more possible jail and a mandatory interlock.
Two cases at once. The criminal case decides whether you're convicted. The DHSMV administrative case decides your license right now. They have different deadlines, different rules and different judges — and the 10-day clock on the license case starts at arrest.
The license choice. Many first-time drivers can either request a formal review hearing — where we can question the officer under oath — or waive it and apply for a business-purposes hardship license after enrolling in DUI school. Each choice has trade-offs, and refusal cases have fewer options. Decide with an attorney.
No withhold for DUI. Florida judges can't withhold adjudication on a DUI, so any plea to DUI is a permanent conviction. The law also limits pleas to a lesser charge when a breath or blood result is 0.15 or higher. That's why the defense work has to start early.
Defenses on a first DUI. No legal reason for the stop. No probable cause for the arrest. Roadside exercises given on uneven ground, in bad lighting or to someone with an injury or nerves. A breath machine that missed an inspection, or a breath test given without the required 20-minute observation. Rising blood alcohol between driving and testing.
What Success Looks Like
What Life Looks Like When Your First DUI Is Handled
Facing it alone
- Scared of what happens next
- Pressured to take a quick plea
- Worried about your job and your record
- Just another case number
With ANT in your corner
- Clear on your options and your rights
- Defended by a trial-ready attorney
- Protecting your record and your future
- Treated with respect, in English or Spanish
- 01
No DUI conviction
Fighting for a dismissal or a reduced, non-DUI charge.
- 02
Still driving
Your license protected through the DHSMV process.
- 03
Career protected
A clean background check for jobs and licenses.
- 04
A fresh start
One bad night, not a life-long label.
Every case is different. Past results don't guarantee a similar outcome.
Client Reviews
What Our Clients Say
“A very positive experience with the attorney and her entire team — always attentive, kind, and willing to clarify every question. The fact that they are bilingual is a huge plus.”
Olga Patricia Ramirez· January 2026 “The best team ever. They resolved my case in an unimaginable timing. Very professional plus they show their human side when I needed it.”
Nancy Castro· December 2025 “The reviews speak for themselves. Trust in the process — Alexandra will deliver.”
Andrew Christiansen
Why ANT Law Firm
Why First-Time DUI Clients Choose ANT Law Firm
After a first DUI arrest, the State is counting on a quick plea. We test every piece of evidence and prepare your case for trial, so you make decisions from strength — confidentially, in English or Spanish.
- Free, confidential consultation. Nothing you say leaves the room.
- You work directly with an attorney, not a call center.
- Se habla español — our whole team is bilingual.
- A former public defender on your defense team.
Straight Answers
First-Time DUI Lawyer FAQ
What are the penalties for a first-time DUI in Florida?
A first DUI conviction carries a $500–$1,000 fine ($1,000–$2,000 with a BAC of 0.15+ or a minor in the car), up to 6 months in jail (9 months if enhanced), up to a year of probation, 50 hours of community service, DUI school, a 10-day vehicle impound and a license revocation of 180 days to 1 year. An ignition interlock is required for at least 6 months if your BAC was 0.15 or higher. The conviction is permanent and can't be sealed or expunged.
Can a first-time DUI be dismissed or reduced in Orlando?
Often there are real options. First offenses are the DUI cases most likely to be reduced to a non-DUI charge, such as reckless driving, or dismissed — especially when the stop was unlawful, the breath test wasn't done by the rules or the video doesn't match the report. Florida limits plea reductions when a breath or blood result is 0.15 or higher. The earlier you hire an attorney, the more options remain.
Will I go to jail for a first DUI in Florida?
Jail is possible but not required for a standard first offense. Florida allows up to 6 months (9 if your BAC was 0.15+ or a minor was in the car), but there's no mandatory jail on a typical first DUI. Jail becomes more likely with a crash, an injury or a very high BAC. A first-time DUI lawyer works to keep you out of jail and minimize every penalty.
Do I really need a lawyer for a first DUI?
Yes. A first DUI is a criminal charge with mandatory penalties and a permanent record that affects jobs, insurance and professional licenses. Because first offenses have the most defense options, a lawyer's ability to win a reduction or dismissal is at its highest here. A lawyer also makes sure you don't miss the 10-day license deadline.
How much does a first-time DUI lawyer cost in Orlando?
It depends on the facts — whether there was a crash, how many hearings are needed and whether the case goes to trial. We'll explain our fee clearly, in writing, during your free and confidential consultation, before you decide anything.
How long will a first DUI stay on my record in Florida?
Permanently. A DUI conviction can't be sealed or expunged in Florida, and it stays on your driving record for 75 years. That's why fighting a first charge matters so much. Getting the charge dismissed or reduced to a non-DUI offense before a conviction is the way to keep a DUI off your record.
Can I get a hardship license after a first DUI arrest, and should I ask my attorney first?
Many first-time drivers whose suspension is based on a breath or blood result — not a refusal — can waive the formal review hearing and apply for a business-purposes hardship license after enrolling in DUI school. That keeps you driving, but it gives up the chance to question the officer under oath. Talk to a DUI attorney before you decide, and act within 10 days of your arrest.
Still have a question? Call (407) 777-8888 or send us a message.
Keep Reading
Related Guides and Practice Areas
Orlando First-Time DUI Attorneys
Don't Face the State Alone
Don't plead guilty to your first DUI without talking to us. You have 10 days to protect your license — your consultation is free, confidential and available in English or Spanish.
- 1Call for a free, confidential consultation.
- 2We review the evidence.
- 3We fight to reduce or dismiss the charges.
- Free, confidential consultation
- Se habla español
- Talk to an attorney, not a call center