DUI Charges In Tampa And Polk County: What To Expect In The First 30 Days
Facing a new DUI charge is stressful, and the first month can feel confusing. If you are searching for a DUI defense attorney Tampa FL, you are probably trying to understand what happens next with your license, court dates, and the two different systems that get triggered at the same time.
This article is general information about what people often experience after a DUI arrest in Hillsborough and Polk County. It is not legal advice and it is not a substitute for talking directly with a lawyer about your situation.
The Law Office of Darrin E. Johnson handles DUI defense from Tampa and Valrico to Lakeland and Bartow, with experience in both criminal court and Florida’s administrative driver license system.
Two tracks after a Florida DUI arrest
After a DUI arrest in Florida, most people face two overlapping processes:
An administrative case with the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles that focuses on your driver license
A criminal case in county court that focuses on the actual DUI charge and any related offenses
Florida’s administrative suspension laws give drivers only a short window to challenge a license suspension or ask for limited driving privileges, often around 10 days from the date of arrest, depending on the facts and the type of suspension.
At the same time, the criminal case moves forward in the local court system in Tampa (Hillsborough County) or Polk County.
A DUI defense attorney can explain how these two tracks interact in your specific case and how decisions in one can affect the other.
What often happens with your license in the first 30 days
Many people are surprised that license issues start immediately, sometimes before the first court date:
At the time of arrest, officers often take the physical license and issue a temporary permit that is valid for a short period, typically 10 days, while the administrative suspension is pending.
During that initial period, drivers usually decide whether to request an administrative review, ask about hardship options, or do nothing and allow the suspension to begin.
The length and type of suspension can depend on factors like test results, any prior history, and whether there was a refusal to submit to testing.
Because the deadlines are short and the rules are technical, many people contact a DUI defense attorney early just to understand their license options, even before the first court appearance.
Early court dates and arraignment
On the criminal side, the first 30 days often include:
A first appearance or advisory hearing soon after the arrest, especially if a person remains in custody
An arraignment date, which is a hearing where the court formally explains the charge and the person enters an initial plea
Deadlines for the state to file formal charges in county court
Exact timing can vary depending on the county, the specific charge, and whether you were released at the scene or booked into jail. In Tampa and across Polk County courts in Lakeland or Bartow, a DUI defense attorney can help you understand what the scheduled hearings mean and whether you need to appear in person at each one.
This article does not tell you how to plead or what you should do in your case. Those are decisions to make with your own lawyer.
Information people usually gather before speaking with a lawyer
In the first few days, it often helps to organize basic information so a DUI defense attorney Tampa FL can review the situation efficiently. Common items include:
The citation and any notice of license suspension you received
Any paperwork from the jail or booking process
The date, time, and location of the stop or incident
Whether there was a breath, blood, or urine test, and any numbers shown on your paperwork
Notes about medical conditions, medications, or other factors that might matter
A list of upcoming court dates from your release documents
Many people also collect any dashcam, bodycam, or video they might already have access to, as well as names of potential witnesses. Your attorney can explain which of these details are most important and how to request additional records from the state.
Administrative vs criminal questions to raise with a DUI defense attorney
When people contact a DUI lawyer in the first 30 days, they often have questions in two broad categories.
License and administrative questions might sound like:
How long could my license be suspended based on my test result or refusal?
Is there a deadline to ask for a hearing about the suspension?
What is a hardship license and could I qualify for limited driving?
Criminal case questions might include:
What are the potential consequences for a first or second DUI under Florida law?
How do prior convictions, accidents, or minors in the car change things?
What will happen at my first court date in Tampa, Lakeland, or Bartow?
What kind of defenses or issues does your firm typically look for in a DUI case?
Attorneys at Darrin Johnson Law handle DUI cases across Tampa Bay and central Florida and can explain how local courts and prosecutors usually approach different types of DUI charges.
Local representation in Tampa, Lakeland, and Bartow
The Law Office of Darrin E. Johnson, PLLC is based in Valrico and represents clients in Tampa, Lakeland, Bartow, and surrounding communities in Hillsborough and Polk County.
The firm’s DUI Defense page explains that they focus on:
Protecting clients’ rights in criminal court
Guiding people through the administrative license process
Providing clear communication so clients understand each step of the case
Every DUI case is different. This article can only outline general patterns, not what will happen in your situation. To understand your options and risks after a DUI arrest, it is important to speak directly with a qualified DUI defense attorney about the facts of your case.
