St Johns County 2nd DUI Lawyer

St Johns County 2nd DUI Attorney

If you have been charged with driving under the influence for a second time, you need a St. Johns County 2nd DUI lawyer to help you navigate your legal troubles. Consequences are likely mandatory minimums and fines you didn’t face the first time. Prosecutors now have bargaining momentum they didn’t have during your first offense, and what used to be easily resolved now puts your job, license, and even your freedom on the line.

However, if you or someone you know has found themselves in this predicament, there are still measures you can take before appearing before a judge at the St. Johns County Courthouse.

Why St. Johns County Drivers Choose Kevin A. Raudt, P.A.

Kevin A. Raudt, P.A., handles 2nd DUI penalties for drivers throughout Northeast Florida. We analyze past convictions and uncover the procedural, technical, and legal errors that others may overlook. From your initial traffic stop to the administration of tests to how your previous conviction is being alleged, our team looks for any mistake that can be used to help your case. When there are errors to exploit, we aim to find them quickly.

St Johns County DUI attorney Kevin A. Raudt offers knowledgeable advocacy, quick response times, and an aggressive pursuit of favorable outcomes for those he represents. Representing hundreds of clients throughout St Johns County, he’s effectively tried the following cases:

• DUIs
• 2nd DUIs
• Domesticate violence
• Felony and misdemeanor appeals
• Final appeals

What a 2nd DUI Lawyer Can Challenge on Your Behalf

In 2025, there were over 44,000 DUI citations given in Florida, according to the Annual Uniform Traffic Citation Report from the Florida Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles (FLHSMV). St. Johns County accounted for 1,169 of these citations.

Clients don’t always understand that DUIs are sometimes issued without reasonable cause. The traffic stop must be legal. Police can’t pull you over and make a DUI arrest based on the subjective opinion that you might be intoxicated. Standardized field sobriety tests in Florida have to be administered properly by certified officers. Failure to follow standards may result in suppression of the test by the judge.

Breathalyzers must be calibrated according to dated maintenance charts and administered by certified individuals. Improperly maintained machines and uncertified officers have been grounds for dismissal or even suppression of breathalyzer results. There have been cases where even month-old gaps in the calibration logs were used to dismiss breathalyzer evidence.

Prior convictions must be within a certain timeframe to be considered priors. Make sure you hire a 2nd DUI lawyer to review all of your evidence before you accept a plea or plead guilty to any offense.

2nd DUI Penalties in Florida

Several state statutes specify the penalties one might face when convicted of a 2nd DUI offense in St. Johns County.

Florida Statutes Sections 316.193 and 322.271

Section 316.193 and section 322.271 enhance a 2nd DUI conviction within five years of your first DUI offense to a mandatory five-year license revocation, with no hardship license permitted in most cases.

If more than five years have passed since your first conviction, you may be eligible for a hardship license after a set amount of hard suspension time. This may require DUI school, substance abuse evaluation, and convincing the FLHSMV that you require a license to keep your job or for some other “essential need.”

You will also be required to install an ignition interlock device on any vehicle you operate once your license is reinstated. It’s important to remember that the administrative side and criminal side of your DUI happen on separate timelines.

Florida Statutes Section 322.2615 – Administrative License Suspension

When the police arrest you for DUI, they also suspend your driver’s license at the time of arrest. You will receive a notice of suspension, which is your temporary license for 10 days.

If you don’t request a formal review hearing within those 10 days, the suspension date goes into effect. By missing that deadline, you lose your chance to contest the suspension altogether.

Florida Statutes Section 316.193(4) – Enhanced Penalties for High Blood Alcohol Content

Florida adds mandatory minimum jail time if your BAC is 0.15 or higher at the time of your arrest. Having a minor in your vehicle at the time also triggers this penalty. A BAC over 0.15 can increase your sentencing minimum, increase your total fine risk, and result in a more aggressive approach from prosecutors.

What to Expect After a 2nd DUI Arrest in St. Johns County

A typical sentence for a 2nd DUI involves imprisonment. Judges have no ability to reduce mandatory minimum sentences unless your charge is reduced or dismissed. That’s why having a lawyer on your side before you enter an agreement is so important.

With defense efforts made, some clients qualify for a charge reduction to reckless driving, which removes the mandatory minimum jail sentence. If more than five years have elapsed since your first conviction, there is no mandatory jail sentence, but you will still receive a conviction on your criminal and driving records.

FAQs About St Johns County 2nd DUI Law

What Happens if I Refuse to Take a DUI Test in Florida?

If you refuse to take a DUI test in Florida, you can be charged with a misdemeanor. As of October 1, 2025, refusing to take a DUI test is a crime under Trenton’s Law. A first refusal equals a one-year license suspension and a second-degree misdemeanor charge. A second refusal equals a first-degree misdemeanor charge and up to one year jail sentence.

How Much Does a 2nd DUI Typically Cost in Florida?

The cost of a DUI in Florida will typically depend on how your case resolves. You could potentially spend money on DUI school, probation, an ignition interlock device, FR-44 insurance, and a fine. Reduced charges or a dismissal can change costs dramatically. Defending against your charge could be less costly than accepting consequences.

Why Is the 10-Day Rule Critical?

The 10-day rule is critical because it’s your opportunity to apply for a hardship license. Within 10 days of your DUI arrest, you must request a formal hearing to contest your automatic license suspension. If you do not request a hearing within those 10 days, your license will automatically be suspended by the DMV, and you could lose your chance to apply for a hardship license.

If I get a 2nd DUI Conviction in Florida, Will They Take My Car?

Yes, your vehicle will be impounded for 30 days if you get a 2nd DUI conviction in Florida. The impound cannot be served at the same time as incarceration. Speak with an attorney at our law firm right away to determine if there is a way to avoid this penalty.

Hire a 2nd DUI Lawyer for Representation

Contact Kevin A. Raudt, P.A., today to speak with Attorney Kevin A. Raudt about your options. There’s a lot you can do. Be sure to act quickly.

St Johns County 2nd DUI Law Resources:

• How Long Does a DUI Stay on Your Record in Florida?
• Florida DUI Laws and Penalties – All You Need to Know
• What Are the Penalties for a Second DUI in Florida?