DMV Hearings in Tampa

Representing Drivers at DHSMV Hearings for DUI License Suspension

If you get arrested for DUI, your driver’s license will be automatically suspended for at least six months. However, you can fight your driver’s license suspension by scheduling a hearing with the Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles (DHSMV), often referred to as the DMV. You have only 10 days from the date of your arrest to schedule a hearing with the DMV. Failure to schedule your hearing within the allotted 10 days waives your right to challenge your suspension and get your driving privileges reinstated.

One of the most important things you can do if your license has been confiscated due to a DUI arrest is to involve an attorney. A Tampa DUI lawyer at our law firm can meet with you to talk about what to expect during a formal or informal hearing with the DHSMV. We understand just how much of an impact license suspension may have on you, particularly if you rely on your ability to drive to support yourself and your family. Even if losing your license will not affect your livelihood, it can be extremely inconvenient to rely on friends, family members and public transportation to get to and from work, school or even to the grocery store. In addition to challenging your DUI charges in criminal court, our team can help you fight the suspension of your license at your DMV hearing. These are separate proceedings but both are exceedingly important and will therefore be approached with the utmost care.

About the License Suspension Hearing

The DMV hearing only determines whether the defendant will lose or keep his/her driving privileges; it does not determine if the defendant is innocent or guilty of DUI. At the hearing, the defendant can challenge a DMV suspension and try to have his/her driving privileges reinstated. The defendant and his/her attorney have the opportunity to present evidence, testimony, and witnesses on his/her behalf. In addition, the DMV representative will examine information and evidence gathered by law enforcement surrounding the arrest. At the end of the hearing, the representative will make a ruling to either reinstate or continue the suspension of the defendant’s driving privileges. However, it is important to remember that the defendant can still lose his/her driving privileges if found guilty of DUI in criminal court, even if he/she get his/her driver’s privileges back at the DMV hearing.

Contact a Tampa DMV Hearing Attorney

If you have been arrested for DUI, it is important to contact a DUI attorney immediately. Having an experienced attorney on your side will greatly increase your chances of getting your driving privileges back at the DMV hearing. Not only that, but when your lawyer is involved in your hearing, he or she will get a head start in preparing for your criminal case. Much of the same evidence may be presented, and the DMV hearing will be a preview of sorts of the testimony and information that the arresting officer will provide in court. Statements made by the officer at your hearing can even be used against him or her in criminal court if his statements in court do not align. Our team uses our clients DMV hearings as one more weapon in our arsenal against their criminal DUI charges. We believe in the importance of protecting their driving privileges along with their freedom.

Our DMV hearing attorneys have represented hundreds of clients, and have been successful in getting their driving privileges reinstated. When you retain our services, we personally conduct an investigation into your case, help you schedule your hearing with the DMV, find witnesses and evidence to use in your favor, and represent you at the hearing. In addition, our firm provides all of our clients with the personalized attention and compassionate legal care they deserve.

If you are in need of experienced help at your hearing, contact a Tampa DMV hearing lawyer at Thomas & Paulk today for your free consultation at (800) 239-3195!

Thomas & Paulk defends individuals throughout the Tampa Bay area and Hillsborough County, including Tampa, Brandon, Plant City, Temple Terrace, Riverview, Ruskin, Apollo Beach, Sun City, Land O Lakes, Antioch, Belleair Beach, Belleair Bluffs, Bloomingdale, Boyette, Carollwood, Clearwater, Dover, Egypt Lake, Gibsonston, Gulf City, Gulfport, Hopewell, Indian Rocks Beach, Indian Shores Beach, Kenneth City, Largo, Lillibridgerafforida, Lithia, Lutz, Madeira Beach, Mango, Marvina, New Tampa, North Redington, Oldsmar, Orient Park, Palm River, Pasadena, Pinellas Park, Redington Beach, Redington Shores, Seminole, St. Petersburg, St. Pete Beach, Tampa Palms, Thonotosassa, Tierra Verde, Trapnell, Unincorporated Hillsborough County, Unincorporated Pinellas County, Welcome, and Wimauma.