DUI Over .015

“court shall order the mandatory placement, at the convicted person’s sole expense, of an ignition interlock device”

TRAF1009 Versus TRAF1012

The TRAF1009 and TRAF1012 charge codes serve distinct purposes within the legal framework related to DUI offenses in Florida. TRAF1009 is utilized by the Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office, Clerk of Court, and State Attorney, specifically to designate cases involving Driving Under the Influence (DUI) with a blood alcohol or breath test result surpassing 0.15. This charge entails heightened penalties, including fines and potential imprisonment, and necessitates the installation of an ignition interlock device at the convicted person’s own expense. The focus is on cases where the blood alcohol level significantly exceeds the legal limit, emphasizing a robust response to more severe instances of DUI.

On the other hand, TRAF1012 is a distinct charge code used by police officers, prosecutors, judges, and clerks of court to identify a first-time DUI offense. Unlike TRAF1009, which addresses cases with elevated blood alcohol levels, TRAF1012 is essential for tracking and documenting initial DUI instances within the state’s legal system. Understanding the TRAF1012 code is crucial for individuals charged with a first-time DUI, as it provides insight into the specific legal implications and consequences associated with their case. While TRAF1009 emphasizes the severity of DUI cases involving high blood alcohol levels, TRAF1012 focuses on establishing a clear identification and tracking system for first-time DUI offenses in the legal process.The Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office, the Clerk of Court, and the State Attorney use charge codes to describe the allegations in a criminal case. In this case, the charge means a misdemeanor DUI with an alleged Blood Alcohol / Breath test result over .15. This charge results in double the penalties and a mandatory Interlock, if convicted.

The Hillsborough County law enforcement entities, including the Sheriff’s Office, Clerk of Court, and State Attorney, employ charge codes to delineate the nature of allegations in criminal cases. Specifically, in instances involving a Blood Alcohol / Breath test result exceeding 0.15, the assigned charge code, TRAF1009, signifies a misdemeanor DUI. Conviction under this charge incurs amplified penalties, constituting double the standard consequences for a DUI offense. Notably, the heightened penalties encompass not only fines and potential imprisonment but also entail the obligatory installation of an ignition interlock device. The ignition interlock device is a safety mechanism designed to prevent individuals with alcohol-related offenses from operating a vehicle under the influence. Importantly, the financial responsibility for obtaining and maintaining this device rests solely on the convicted individual.

This legal framework reflects a stringent approach to DUI cases, especially those involving significantly elevated blood alcohol levels. The mandatory interlock provision serves as both a punitive measure and a preventive tool, aiming to enhance road safety by mitigating the risk of repeat offenses. In essence, TRAF1009 encapsulates a targeted response to instances where DUI offenses are compounded by a substantial breach of the permissible blood alcohol limit, signaling a commitment to deterrence and public safety within Hillsborough County.

Have you been charged with TRAF1009 DRIVING UNDER THE INFLUENCE Over .015  Call an expert defense attorney at 813-222-2220.

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TRAF1009 DRIVING UNDER THE INFLUENCE (OVER 0.15) is often charged in Hillsborough County, Florida.

Title XXIII MOTOR VEHICLES
Chapter 316 STATE UNIFORM TRAFFIC CONTROL

316.193 Driving under the influence; penalties.

(1) A person is guilty of the offense of driving under the influence and is subject to punishment as provided in subsection (2) if the person is driving or in actual physical control of a vehicle within this state and:

(a) The person is under the influence of alcoholic beverages, any chemical substance set forth in s. 877.111, or any substance controlled under chapter 893, when affected to the extent that the person’s normal faculties are impaired;

(b) The person has a blood-alcohol level of 0.08 or more grams of alcohol per 100 milliliters of blood; or

(c) The person has a breath-alcohol level of 0.08 or more grams of alcohol per 210 liters of breath.

(2)(a) Except as provided in paragraph (b), subsection (3), or subsection (4), any person who is convicted of a violation of subsection (1) shall be punished:

1. By a fine of:

a. Not less than $500 or more than $1,000 for a first conviction.

b. Not less than $1,000 or more than $2,000 for a second conviction; and

2. By imprisonment for:

a. Not more than 6 months for a first conviction.

b. Not more than 9 months for a second conviction.

3. For a second conviction, by mandatory placement for a period of at least 1 year, at the convicted person’s sole expense, of an ignition interlock device approved by the department in accordance with s. 316.1938 upon all vehicles that are individually or jointly leased or owned and routinely operated by the convicted person, when the convicted person qualifies for a permanent or restricted license. The installation of such device may not occur before July 1, 2003.

(b) 1. Any person who is convicted of a third violation of this section for an offense that occurs within 10 years after a prior conviction for a violation of this section commits a felony of the third degree, punishable as provided in s. 775.082, s. 775.083, or s. 775.084. In addition, the court shall order the mandatory placement for a period of not less than 2 years, at the convicted person’s sole expense, of an ignition interlock device approved by the department in accordance with s. 316.1938 upon all vehicles that are individually or jointly leased or owned and routinely operated by the convicted person, when the convicted person qualifies for a permanent or restricted license. The installation of such device may not occur before July 1, 2003.

2. Any person who is convicted of a third violation of this section for an offense that occurs more than 10 years after the date of a prior conviction for a violation of this section shall be punished by a fine of not less than $2,000 or more than $5,000 and by imprisonment for not more than 12 months. In addition, the court shall order the mandatory placement for a period of at least 2 years, at the convicted person’s sole expense, of an ignition interlock device approved by the department in accordance with s. 316.1938 upon all vehicles that are individually or jointly leased or owned and routinely operated by the convicted person, when the convicted person qualifies for a permanent or restricted license. The installation of such device may not occur before July 1, 2003.

3. Any person who is convicted of a fourth or subsequent violation of this section, regardless of when any prior conviction for a violation of this section occurred, commits a felony of the third degree, punishable as provided in s. 775.082, s. 775.083, or s. 775.084. However, the fine imposed for such fourth or subsequent violation may be not less than $2,000.

(3) Any person:

(a) Who is in violation of subsection (1);

(b) Who operates a vehicle; and

(c) Who, by reason of such operation, causes or contributes to causing:

1. Damage to the property or person of another commits a misdemeanor of the first degree, punishable as provided in s. 775.082 or s. 775.083.

2. Serious bodily injury to another, as defined in s. 316.1933, commits a felony of the third degree, punishable as provided in s. 775.082, s. 775.083, or s. 775.084.

3. The death of any human being or unborn quick child commits DUI manslaughter, and commits:

a. A felony of the second degree, punishable as provided in s. 775.082, s. 775.083, or s. 775.084.

b. A felony of the first degree, punishable as provided in s. 775.082, s. 775.083, or s. 775.084, if:

(I) At the time of the crash, the person knew, or should have known, that the crash occurred; and

(II) The person failed to give information and render aid as required by s. 316.062.

For purposes of this subsection, the definition of the term “unborn quick child” shall be determined in accordance with the definition of viable fetus as set forth in s. 782.071.

A person who is convicted of DUI manslaughter shall be sentenced to a mandatory minimum term of imprisonment of 4 years.

(4) Any person who is convicted of a violation of subsection (1) and who has a blood-alcohol level or breath-alcohol level of 0.15 or higher, or any person who is convicted of a violation of subsection (1) and who at the time of the offense was accompanied in the vehicle by a person under the age of 18 years, shall be punished:
    
(a) By a fine of:
        
1. Not less than $1,000 or more than $2,000 for a first conviction.
        
2. Not less than $2,000 or more than $4,000 for a second conviction.
        
3. Not less than $4,000 for a third or subsequent conviction.

(b) By imprisonment for:

1. Not more than 9 months for a first conviction.

2. Not more than 12 months for a second conviction.

For the purposes of this subsection, only the instant offense is required to be a violation of subsection (1) by a person who has a blood-alcohol level or breath-alcohol level of 0.15 or higher.

(c) In addition to the penalties in paragraphs (a) and (b), the court shall order the mandatory placement, at the convicted person’s sole expense, of an ignition interlock device approved by the department in accordance with s. 316.1938 upon all vehicles that are individually or jointly leased or owned and routinely operated by the convicted person for not less than 6 continuous months for the first offense and for not less than 2 continuous years for a second offense, when the convicted person qualifies for a permanent or restricted license.

What does all of this mean?

In this legal provision, the focus is on DUI offenses with a blood-alcohol level or breath-alcohol level of 0.15 or higher. The subsection stipulates that, for the purpose of applying the subsequent penalties, only the current offense needs to violate subsection (1). Subsection (1) outlines the conditions under which a person is guilty of driving under the influence (DUI), including being under the influence of alcohol or other substances to the extent that normal faculties are impaired, having a blood-alcohol level of 0.08 or more, or a breath-alcohol level of 0.08 or more.

In addition to the fines and imprisonment mentioned in previous paragraphs (a) and (b), paragraph (c) introduces an additional penalty – the mandatory placement of an ignition interlock device. This device is required to be installed at the convicted person’s sole expense on all vehicles that they individually or jointly lease or own and routinely operate. The duration of the mandatory interlock placement is specified: not less than 6 continuous months for a first offense and not less than 2 continuous years for a second offense, provided the convicted person qualifies for a permanent or restricted license.

This provision underscores a proactive approach to preventing repeat offenses by enforcing the use of an ignition interlock device, a mechanism designed to enhance road safety by restricting a vehicle’s operation if the driver has consumed alcohol. The emphasis on personal responsibility, both in terms of financial commitment and adherence to the interlock device requirement, aims to deter individuals from driving under the influence and reinforces the severity of consequences for repeated offenses.

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