The Law Offices of Michael A. Dye, P.A.
1 E. Broward Blvd.
Suite 700
Fort Lauderdale, FL 33301
Office (954)745-5848
Fax (954)343-1863
Criminal Defense
The Law Offices of Michael A. Dye provides criminal defense services in Broward, Palm Beach and Miami-Dade County. Mr. Dye routinely handles most types of state criminal defense matters. Out of personal preference, Mr. Dye does not first degree murder cases. The majority of Mr. Dye's criminal law practice is focused in the area of DUI Defense and defense of drug charges.
DUI'S ARE DIFFERENT
DUI's are different from other criminal charges because a DUI involves both a criminal and a civil proceeding. The criminal issues are handled by the court while the civil driver's license suspension/revocation is handled by the Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles.
Civil Proceedings
The moment that you are arrested for a DUI, your license is suspended. You have 10 days from the date of your arrest to request a review with the Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles Bureau of Administrative Reviews. If you do not request the hearing on time, the hearing is waived and your license will be suspended for a period of 6 months or longer. If you request the hearing and you prevail, your license will be reinstated. Win or lose, the administrative hearing has no impact on your criminal case.
Criminal Proceedings
The criminal case against you begins when the Office of the State Attorney files a document called an information. The first court hearing is called an arraignment. An arraignment is intended to inform you of the charges against you, advise you of your rights and allow you to enter a plea.
The discovery process occurs after the arraignment and the State must provide all materials in their possession that it intends to present at trial and all material that is potentially exculpatory. During the discovery process it is likely that we would take depositions of the State's witnesses.
A case can be resolved in multiple ways after discovery is complete. There are motions that can dispose of a case in your favor. In rare cases the State may offer a reduction in charge. If neither of those occur, you are entitled to a trial by jury.