St Johns County Felony DUI Lawyer

Trusted Felony DUI Lawyer in St. Johns County, FL

Contact us today to schedule a free consultation.

Felony DUI Cases We Handle in St. Johns County

• Third DUI within 10 years of a prior conviction
• Fourth or subsequent DUI at any time
• DUI with serious bodily injury to another person
• DUI manslaughter
• Leaving the scene of a DUI manslaughter incident

What a Felony DUI Conviction Can Cost You in Florida

Under Florida Statute § 316.193, a felony DUI conviction carries consequences that extend well beyond the courthouse. You could face prison time. For example:

• A third DUI within 10 years, a fourth DUI at any time, or a DUI causing serious injury are all charged as third-degree felonies, punishable by up to five years in prison
• DUI manslaughter is a second-degree felony, carrying up to 15 years in prison
• If you left the scene of a fatal DUI accident, you could face a first-degree felony and up to 30 years in prison

Beyond prison time, a felony DUI conviction in Florida can result in:

• Driver’s license revocation for at least 10 years, or permanently for repeat felony convictions
• Fines starting at $2,000 and reaching $10,000 depending on the charge
• Mandatory ignition interlock device installation upon any reinstatement
• A permanent felony record that appears on every background check
• Loss of the right to vote, own a firearm, or hold certain professional licenses

In St. Johns County, one of Florida’s fastest-growing counties, employers and licensing boards run background checks routinely. A felony conviction here closes doors quickly. The time to build your defense is now, before the case against you solidifies.

Why St. Johns County Residents Hire Kevin Raudt for Felony DUI Defense

Many criminal defense attorneys in St. Johns County have only ever stood on one side of the courtroom. Kevin Raudt has stood on both. He prosecuted felony cases as an Assistant State Attorney and then Lead Felony Prosecutor in Broward County before crossing to the defense. He knows what evidence prosecutors rely on, how they prepare witnesses, and where DUI arrests are most vulnerable to challenge.

Kevin has tried over 280 criminal jury cases and hundreds of bench trials across more than four decades of practice in Northeast Florida. He has served as court-appointed Special Public Defender for felonies in the 17th Judicial Circuit of Florida and as Special Assistant Conflict Counsel for the Florida 4th District. He has appeared before the judges and prosecutors of St. Johns County’s 7th Judicial Circuit courts long enough to understand how felony DUI cases move through this system.

Kevin A. Raudt holds a Martindale-Hubbell BV Distinguished rating, awarded through peer review for professional achievement and ethical standards. He carries a 5.0 client review score across 30 Avvo reviews. Peer endorsements from fellow criminal defense attorneys describe him as someone who is respected by judges and prosecutors.

FAQs About St Johns County, FL Felony DUI Law

Do I need a lawyer right away, or can I wait?

You need to act within 10 days of your arrest. Florida law gives you a 10-day window to request a formal review hearing to challenge the administrative suspension of your driver’s license. Miss that window and the suspension becomes automatic, regardless of how your criminal case resolves. Contact us as soon as possible after an arrest so we can protect your license and begin building your defense.

Can a felony DUI charge be reduced or dismissed in Florida?

In some cases, yes. A former prosecutor knows exactly what must be proven to secure a conviction and where that proof can fall apart: the legality of the traffic stop, the accuracy of the breathalyzer calibration, the chain of custody for blood test evidence, and whether the arresting officer followed required procedures. We evaluate every possible defense for our clients.

How much does a felony DUI lawyer cost in St. Johns County?

Fees vary depending on the complexity of your case, the specific charges, and what defense work is required. Contact us for a free consultation and we can give you a clearer picture of what representation looks like for your specific situation.

Which courthouse handles felony DUI cases in St. Johns County?

Felony DUI cases in St. Johns County are heard at the St. Johns County Courthouse, located at 4010 Lewis Speedway in St. Augustine. Arraignments, pretrial hearings, and trials for third-degree felonies and above proceed through the 7th Judicial Circuit Court of Florida.

Talk to a St. Johns County Felony DUI Lawyer Today

A felony DUI charge is serious. Prison, a permanent record, and the loss of your license are real possibilities. But a charge is not a conviction, and the outcome of your case depends heavily on when you start building your defense and who is building it.

Kevin Raudt has spent more than 40 years in Northeast Florida courts. He has tried over 280 jury cases. He knows how the state builds a felony DUI case. Contact Kevin A. Raudt, P.A., today to schedule a free consultation and learn about your options.

Serving St. Johns County and Northeast Florida

A felony DUI charge can place your freedom, driving privileges, employment, and future at serious risk. Felony-level DUI cases may arise when an impaired-driving allegation involves serious bodily injury, death, or qualifying prior convictions, exposing defendants to consequences far beyond those associated with an ordinary misdemeanor DUI. Kevin A. Raudt, P.A. represents individuals facing serious DUI charges throughout St. Johns County, drawing on decades of criminal defense experience to evaluate the prosecution’s evidence and protect clients’ rights.

Kevin A. Raudt has practiced law in Florida since 1983 and brings more than 40 years of legal experience to criminal defense matters. His Ponte Vedra Beach office serves clients throughout St. Johns County and Northeast Florida. Felony DUI cases may proceed through the Circuit Court in St. Johns County, and the defense can require careful review of traffic stops, field sobriety exercises, breath or blood testing, accident evidence, witness statements, and prior driving or criminal records. Kevin A. Raudt, P.A. examines the circumstances of each case to identify evidentiary, procedural, and constitutional issues that may affect the prosecution.

The firm serves clients throughout St. Augustine, Ponte Vedra Beach, Nocatee, Fruit Cove, Julington Creek, and surrounding St. Johns County communities. DUI arrests may occur along Interstate 95, U.S. Route 1, A1A, State Road 16, and other heavily traveled roads throughout the county. Whether a felony allegation follows a serious collision or involves a driver’s prior DUI history, experienced representation can make the difference between confronting a high-stakes prosecution without a focused strategy and having a defense built around the specific facts and evidence in the case.

Defending Clients Throughout St. Johns County

St. Johns County includes rapidly growing residential communities, major commuter routes, coastal destinations, and the historic city of St. Augustine. Kevin A. Raudt, P.A. provides criminal defense representation to individuals throughout the county who are facing felony DUI allegations and need clear guidance through each stage of the Florida criminal justice process.

St. Johns County, FL Felony DUI Law Additional Resources:

• Florida DUI Laws and Penalties
• Penalties for a Second DUI in Florida
• Florida DUI Checkpoints Guide
• Guide to Getting a Criminal Charge Dropped in Florida