First Offense DUI Attorney In Daytona Beach

Facing Your First DUI Charge? Know What Comes Next

A first DUI arrest can turn your life upside down in a single night. You may be worried about your driver’s license, your job, and what a criminal record will mean for your future. You might also be unsure whether the breath test or field sobriety exercises really tell the whole story.

Whited Law Firm focuses solely on DUI defense and helps those facing a first-time DUI in and around Daytona Beach understand their options. Our firm is led by Attorney Flem Whited, who has decades of concentrated experience in DUI law and a long-standing reputation in this field. We offer a free initial consultation so you can ask questions and get clear information before you make decisions. If you have been arrested on a first DUI charge, you do not have to navigate the process alone. Our team is available around the clock to speak with you, explain the next steps, and discuss how we can help you protect what matters most.

Call (386) 339-0702 today to set up a consultation, or contact us online to learn more. Our attorneys are ready to help.

Why Your First DUI Charge Demands Focused Defense

Many people assume that a first DUI is a minor offense that will simply go away with time. In Florida, that is not the case. A first DUI conviction can bring fines, probation, DUI school, license suspension, and other conditions that affect your daily life. It can also leave you with a criminal record that may appear on background checks for years to come.

The impact often reaches far beyond the courtroom. A first DUI can affect your job, especially if you drive for work or hold a professional license. Students can face school-related consequences, and almost everyone will see higher insurance costs. Even if jail time is unlikely in your specific situation, the combination of penalties, costs, and long-term consequences should not be taken lightly.

There are also important deadlines that arrive quickly. After a DUI arrest involving a breath test result over the legal limit, the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles can move to suspend your driving privilege. You may have a short period of time to request a review or decide how to handle that suspension. Missing that window can limit your options.

Trying to make these decisions without guidance can lead to mistakes that are hard to undo. A focused DUI defense practice understands both the criminal court process and the administrative side and can help you prioritize what to do now and what comes later. Speaking with a knowledgeable attorney early in the process can make a meaningful difference in how informed your choices are.

Decades of DUI Defense at Whited Law Firm

When you are choosing a lawyer for a first DUI, the depth and focus of that lawyer’s background matter. Whited Law Firm was founded in 1983, and since that time, Attorney Flem Whited has devoted his work to defending people accused of DUI. That means more than forty years of handling DUI cases in Florida courts, including those that begin with a first offense arrest in Daytona Beach.

Our firm does not divide its attention among many different practice areas. We handle only DUI cases. This exclusive focus gives us a detailed understanding of Florida DUI statutes, the science behind breath and blood testing, and the procedures that apply in Volusia County courts. For a first-time offender, that level of concentration can be especially important because you may have only one chance to address how this incident will affect your record and your future.

Attorney Whited is one of only three Board Certified DUI Defense lawyers in the state of Florida. Board certification is a credential that reflects advanced knowledge of DUI law and related scientific issues, along with peer review and testing. For clients, it is an objective sign that their case is being evaluated and guided by someone who has met rigorous standards in this specific area of criminal defense.

In addition to his courtroom work, Attorney Whited is a past president of the National College for DUI Defense. He has trained other DUI defense lawyers and has long been a resource for attorneys who want to deepen their own understanding of DUI law. When you work with our firm, you are drawing on the same knowledge and perspective that other lawyers look to for guidance.

We also bring a clear philosophy to first offense cases. We believe that one mistake should not define the rest of a person’s life. Our team approaches each first DUI with that perspective, combining careful legal analysis with respect for the circumstances that brought you here. We work to identify legal and factual issues, and we pay close attention to the details of traffic stops, officer observations, and testing procedures.

What Happens After a First DUI Arrest in Florida

Understanding the path ahead can reduce some of the uncertainty you may be feeling. While every case is different, many first DUI cases in Florida follow a similar general sequence, both in the court system and with your driver’s license.

After an arrest by the Daytona Beach Police Department or Volusia County Sheriff’s Office, you are typically taken to the local jail for processing. Once you are released, you are given a court date, usually in a county court that handles misdemeanor DUI cases. At the same time, if your breath test result was above the legal limit or if the officer recorded a refusal, the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles usually begins an administrative process that can affect your ability to drive.

There are two tracks to pay attention to:

Two parallel processes you must manage:

• The criminal case. This takes place in the courthouse that serves Daytona Beach and surrounding areas. It involves arraignment, motions, and any negotiations or trials related to the DUI charge itself.
• The administrative license matter. This is handled through the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles, and it focuses on whether and how your driving privilege will be suspended, and for how long.

Both tracks have timelines that can move faster than many first-time offenders expect. For example, you may have a limited number of days after your arrest to decide whether to seek a formal review of the proposed license suspension or to choose another available path. At the same time, you will be asked to appear in court, where you will need to enter a plea and begin making decisions about how to proceed.

For someone who has never been in a courtroom, this combination of deadlines and choices can feel overwhelming. A first offense DUI attorney in Daytona Beach can help you understand the implications of each option, starting with the earliest decisions that affect your license and carrying through the stages of the criminal case. Whited Law Firm works to explain each step in clear terms so that you are not left guessing what will happen next.

How Whited Law Firm Builds a First Offense DUI Defense

A strong defense in a first DUI case begins with careful attention to the facts. Our firm reviews the circumstances of your traffic stop, including why you were pulled over and how the officer conducted the investigation. We look at reports, any available video, and the way field sobriety exercises were explained and administered to see whether procedures were followed properly.

We then turn to the chemical testing that may be at the center of your case. Breath and blood tests depend on specific equipment, maintenance, and administration protocols. We examine records related to the testing device, the timing of your test, and the way the sample was collected and handled. Our goal is to identify any issues that might affect the reliability of the result. We know that these tests are not infallible, and we treat them as evidence to be evaluated, not as conclusions that cannot be questioned.

For many first-time clients, questions extend beyond the evidence itself. You may be wondering whether your case might be eligible for certain programs or whether prosecutors in Volusia County sometimes agree to different resolutions for first offenders. Without promising any particular outcome, we can explain the types of paths that can be available in some first offense cases and how factors like your record, the facts of the arrest, and local practices may affect what is realistic.

Throughout this process, we keep our focus on your long-term interests. We recognize that a first DUI can be both legally and personally stressful. Our team strives to combine a strategic legal approach with clear, respectful communication. We take time to listen to your concerns, answer your questions, and help you weigh the choices in front of you.

If you are ready to discuss your situation with a dedicated first offense DUI lawyer in Daytona Beach, Whited Law Firm is available to talk. We offer free initial consultations, and we can meet in person at our centrally located Daytona Beach office or virtually if that is easier for you. Our team is available 24 hours a day to take your call.

Protecting Your License, Record, & Future

For many first-time DUI clients, the most pressing worries involve day-to-day life. You may rely on your driver’s license to get to work, take children to school, or care for family members. You may also be concerned about how a DUI record will look to employers, licensing boards, or academic programs.

Working with an experienced first offense DUI attorney in Daytona Beach can help you approach these concerns in a thoughtful way. While no lawyer can guarantee a particular result, a practice that concentrates on DUI can help you understand how different choices may affect your license, your record, and your options in the future. Having guidance from someone who regularly appears in the courts that serve Daytona Beach and deals with the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles can provide context that online research alone cannot give.

At Whited Law Firm, our goal is to give first-time DUI clients a clear view of where they stand and what they can do next. We explain the potential consequences and the available paths in straightforward language, and we remain accessible to answer questions as your case moves forward. Our firm’s commitment to second chances informs how we approach each decision point, from early license issues to final case resolution.

If you have been accused of a first DUI and are unsure where to turn, you can speak directly with our team about your specific circumstances. We offer a free initial consultation, and we are available around the clock, so you do not have to wait for answers.

Frequently Asked Questions

Will I lose my license after a first DUI in Florida?

A first DUI arrest can lead to a license suspension, either through the court or the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles. The length and type of suspension depend on factors like test results and refusals. Our firm can explain your options for challenging or addressing that suspension.

Can a first DUI be reduced or kept off my record?

Some first DUI cases result in reduced charges or other resolutions, but this depends on the facts, your history, and local practices. No specific outcome can be promised. We review the evidence, discuss your goals, and advise you about realistic possibilities in Volusia County courts.

How soon should I contact a lawyer after a first DUI arrest?

It is wise to contact a lawyer as soon as you can. Important license-related deadlines can arrive within days, and early decisions may affect your options later. Whited Law Firm is available 24 hours a day and offers free consultations so you can get guidance quickly.

What makes Whited Law Firm a strong choice for first DUI cases?

Our firm focuses exclusively on DUI defense, and Attorney Flem Whited has more than four decades of experience in this area. He is one of three Board Certified DUI Defense lawyers in Florida and a past president of the National College for DUI Defense. We bring that focused knowledge to first offense cases.

Do I have to appear in court alone for my first DUI?

You are required to appear when the court schedules you, but you do not have to face those hearings without guidance. When you retain our firm, we prepare you for what to expect and appear with you in the courthouse that handles DUI cases arising from arrests in the Daytona Beach area.

To discuss your first DUI case, call (386) 339-0702 today.