Tampa DUI Lawyer Blog
A mother was arrested in Marion County after she was accused of driving under the influence while her 2-year-old daughter slept in a car seat in the back seat.
The 26-year-old faces charges of DUI and child neglect.
The Marion County Sheriff’s Office said they received a phone call from someone about a possible drunk driver on Baseline Road Wednesday night.
According to reports, a deputy got behind the woman’s vehicle and observed it cross the center lane and weave in and out of traffic.
The deputy pulled the woman over and claims she failed several sobriety tests. The report said she told a deputy she was on a medication. The woman was arrested.
The incident report shows that the woman passed the breathalyzer test, but later admitted to taking a type of medication. Sheriff’s deputies believe that she was impaired, possibly by a medication or narcotic.
The woman has a previous DUI charge and probation violations.
Facing any type of DUI charge is quite stressful. When a child is in the car during the arrest, however, penalties will enhance drastically. Florida has strict laws regarding DUI, and if a child is present in a DUI case, you could be facing a mandatory fine, jail time, driver’s license revocation and other harsh penalties.
If you have been charged with a DUI with a child in the car, you are most likely feeling overwhelmed. It is important to remember that an arrest does not guarantee a conviction. A Florida DUI Defense Lawyer at Whittel & Melton can investigate your case to uncover any flaws with the hopes of getting your charges reduced or dismissed, or even fight for a not-guilty verdict if necessary. Call us today at 352-726-0078 or contact us online for a free consultation.