Attendance and satisfactory completion of an approved DUI course is mandated in Florida for anyone who is convicted of a DUI offense. (Florida Statute Section 316.193) It is also required for any driver who suffers a DHSMV “administrative” drivers license suspension for operating a vehicle with an unlawful breath alcohol level, or refusing to submit to an approved breath and/or urine test. (Florida Statute Section 322.271) Most people are surprised to learn that in Florida, attendance at DUI school is also mandated for anyone convicted in of possessing, selling or trafficking of a controlled substance. (Florida Statute Section 322.055).
We Provide Our Clients With an Early Warning
Our lawyers go to great lengths to educate their clients well in advance of their DUI school obligation. We have likewise written and produced an exclusive “DUI Insider”™ video series which helps our clients cut through the red tape of DUI School, the alcohol evaluation / counseling requirement and where appropriate, the community service element. When we are retained to represent a client facing a DUI that was initiated in St. Petersburg, Clearwater or other location within Pinellas county, they have the benefit of learning the “Tricks and Traps” associated with these obligations. By educating you on how to better navigate your way through the system, you may be able to side step counseling, reinstate your driving privileges earlier and better demonstrate your positive attitude to the judge who is assigned to your case.
What Do I Need to Know?
We can give you the “heads-up” on how to streamline your compliance with statutory and DHSMV administrative obligations. We can also reveal potential common pitfalls. For example:
- That it is a common practice of law enforcement to patrol the parking lot of the DUI school. They routinely run tag numbers and then cross check the drivers license status of the registered owner. If the computer reveals that your driving privilege is under suspension, the police officer will wait for you to exit class and watch you enter your vehicle. They will then arrest you for driving on a suspended or revoked license.
- That if the instructor of your DUI course detects the odor of alcohol on any student, he can subject the entire class to breath testing. If your breath test reveals the presence of any alcohol, (despite being under the legal limit,) you will be terminated from further participation in the course. This will necessitate your starting over by re-registering and paying the fees associated with a new DUI course.
- If during your alcohol / substance abuse evaluation, you appear evasive or provide inconsistent answers to the standardized questions, you could be required to complete 12 to 14 weeks of out-patient counseling.
For more Information see: Getting a Head Start on Your DUI Court Obligations Could Save You Time and Money and Safeguarding Your Driving Privilege.
Which DUI Course do I Attend?This can be a complex question if you have ever been previously charged with an alcohol or drug related offense. If that is the case, you need to speak with qualified legal counsel before selecting the appropriate DUI course. On the one hand, if you register for the “Level II” course you could be “tipping your hand” to the prosecutor that you are not a “first time offender.” On the other hand, if you pay for and attend the “Level I” course and it is later determined that you took the wrong course, your time and efforts will have been wasted. You will be ineligible to receive a refund or credit of the money you paid when you attended the wrong course. It is a common policy that all fees paid to a DUI school are “nonrefundable.”
However, as a general rule…
- The “Level I” course: is appropriate for those individuals who have never attended DUI school and have never previously been convicted of a DUI or drug related crime in their lifetime. This course entails (12) hours of instruction.
- The “Level II” course: is appropriate for individuals who have previously attended a DUI course before in Florida or any other state, or who have previously been convicted of a DUI or any other charge that would have required attendance at a DUI course. This course entails (21) hours of instruction.
What is the Cost of Attending the DUI Program?
As of the date of this blog article, the cost of attending the “Level 1” program in Pinellas county is $272.50 and the cost of the “Level II” program is $412.50. Be advised that these fees are typically increased on an annual basis around October of each year.
Can I take the DUI Course Online?
This is a common question that is asked by many of our clients. The answer is a resounding “No.” Although some states may permit attendance of an approved DUI course online, Florida clearly does not. If you attempt to meet this requirement by attending a course other than those offered by the 26 programs listed below, it is likely that you will fail to comply with your sentence/probationary terms imposed by the court and you will not qualify for reinstatement of your driving privileges.
Will My DUI Course Attendance Interfere With My Employment?
The availability of alternative class sessions is very flexible. Your DUI course can be scheduled for daytime hours throughout the week. They can also be scheduled for week nights and weekends.
Where Do I Register and Attend DUI School?
There are twenty-six licensed non-profit DUI programs throughout the state of Florida. The instructors and curriculum are highly regulated by Rule 15A-10 of the Florida Administrative Code. These schools are closely monitored with the objective of maintaining consistency in the quality of the education and for the purpose of evaluating each program’s effectiveness.
You are required to register at and attend a DUI program within the same county in which you reside, work or attend school. We recommend that our Pinellas county clients take advantage of a pre-registering online service for their attendance at either the St. Petersburg or Clearwater DUI school locations. Online registration will necessitate your use of Visa, MasterCard, American Express or Discover credit card.
Pinellas County DUI School Locations
St. Petersburg
SUNCOAST SAFETY COUNCIL, INC.
455 31st Street North
St. Petersburg, FL
Phone: (727) 442-0233
www.safety.org
Office Hours:
Monday - Friday 8:00 AM – 4:00 PM
*Last registration accepted at 3:00 PM
Clearwater
SUNCOAST SAFETY COUNCIL, INC.
1145 Court Street
Clearwater, FL, 33756
Phone: (727) 442-0233
Fax: (727) 447-1677
www.safety.org
Office Hours:
Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday & Friday 8:00 M – 4:30 PM
Thursday: 9:00 AM – 4:30 PM
*Last registration accepted at 4:00 PM
At Russo & Russo, we are criminal defense lawyers who represent clients charged with a DUI arising out of St. Petersburg, Clearwater, or other areas of Pinellas County.
As former state prosecutors and highly experienced DUI attorneys, we can help!
Further Helpful Pinellas County DUI info at : www.duistpetersburglawyer.com
Learn More About Criminal Defense Solutions: www.defensehelp.com
Free Consultation: 727-578-0303
Watch Our Videos:
Do I Really Need a Lawyer to Represent me For My DUI?
Should I Blow or Refuse the Breath Test?
Learn About Our Street Level DUI Defense Qualifications
Related Website Articles:
Getting Your Pinellas DUI Reduced
FAQ Regarding DUI
Florida DUI Penalties
Other Florida DUI School Locations:
Bradenton
STATE COLLEGE OF FLORIDA TRAFFIC SAFETY INSTITUTE
5840 26th Street West
Bradenton, FL, 34207
Phone: (941) 362-4224
Fax: (941) 751-4389
www.scf.edu
Clearwater
SUNCOAST SAFETY COUNCIL, INC.
1145 Court Street
Clearwater, FL, 33756
Phone: (727) 442-0233
Fax: (727) 447-1677
www.safety.org
Davie
Metro Traffic School
2217 South University Drive
Davie, FL 33324
Phone: (954) 922-3000
Fax: (954) 476-0033
www.metrotrafficschool.com
Daytona Beach
Sunshine Safety Council, Inc.
150 North Beach Street
Daytona Beach, FL 32114
Phone: (386) 258-2132
Phone: (386-253-6400
Fax: (386) 252-1875
www.sunshinesafety.org
Ft. Lauderdale
BROWARD DADE SAFETY COUNCIL
200 SE 6th Street, Ste. #502
Ft. Lauderdale, FL, 33301
Phone: (954) 763-4505
Fax: (954) 525-6070
www.browardsafety.org
Ft. Myers
SOUTHWEST FLORIDA SAFETY COUNCIL
1714 Evans Avenue
Ft. Myers, FL, 33901
Phone: (239) 332-3008
Fax: (239) 332-3093
www.safedrivingschool.com
Ft. Walton Beach
BRIDGEWAY CENTER, INC.
137 Hospital Drive
Ft. Walton Beach, FL, 32548
Phone: (850) 833-7474
Fax: (850) 833-9150
www.safedriveschools.org
Gainesville
NORTH CENTRAL FLORIDA SAFETY COUNCIL
3710 Northwest 51st Street, Suite A
Gainesville, FL, 32606
Phone: (352) 377-2566
Fax: (352) 377-7544
www.ncfsc.com
Jacksonville
NORTHEAST FLORIDA SAFETY COUNCIL
1725 Art Museum Drive
Jacksonville, FL, 32207
Phone: (904) 399-3119
Fax: (904) 399-8001
www.jaxsafety.com
Lakeland
TRI-COUNTY HUMAN SERVICES, INC.
1811 Crystal Lake Drive
Lakeland, FL , 33801
Phone: (863) 701-1919
Fax: (863)293-1214
www.tchsonline.com
Marathon
Advocate DUI Program of Monroe County, Inc.
11400 Overseas Highway Suite 210
Marathon, FL 33050
Phone: (305) 289-5605
Fax: (305) 289-0268
Melbourne
Florida Safety Council
1515 Elizabeth Street Suite C
Melbourne, FL 32901
Phone: (321) 952-5327
Fax: (321) 727-7429
www.floridasafety.org
Merritt Island
Florida Safety Council
250 N. Courtenay Parkway, Suite 201
Merritt Island, FL 32953
Phone: (321) 631-2347
Fax: (321) 639-2593
www.floridasafety.org
Miami
ADVOCATE PROGRAM, INC.
1901 SW 1st Street
Third Floor
Miami, FL, 33135
Phone: (305) 704-0200
Fax: (305) 643-672
www.advocateprogram.com
Miami
Metro Traffic School Dade County
7500 NW 25th Street Suite 119
Miami, FL 33122
Phone: (305) 553-5000
Fax: (305) 593-7077
www.metrotrafficschool.com
Naples
Southwest Florida Safety Council Inc.
2795 Davis Blvd. Unit M-N
Naples, FL
Phone: (239) 793-5552
Fax: (239) 775-1882
www.safedrivingschool.com
New Port Richey
PRIDE INTEGRATED SERVICES, INC. PASCO COUNTY
7619 Little Road, Suite 350
New Port Richey, FL, 34654
Phone: (727) 847-3411
Fax: (727) 847-3513
www.aboutpride.org
Ocala
WEST CENTRAL FLORIDA DRIVER IMPROVEMENT
225 N.E. 14th Street
Ocala, FL, 34470
Phone: (352) 622-6991
Fax: (352) 622-4725
www.wcfdi.com
Orlando
Florida Safety Council
1505 East Colonial Drive
Orlando, FL 32803
Phone: (407) 896-1894
Fax: (407) 895-2650
www.floridasafety.org
Panama City
14TH JUDICIAL CIRCUIT DUI PROGRAM
2230 East Avenue
Panama City, FL, 32405
Phone: (850) 872-7730 x100
Fax: (850) 784-0716
www.pcdui.com
Pensacola
LAKEVIEW CENTER, INC.
6425 N. Pensacola Blvd., Bldg. 2
Pensacola, FL, 32505
Phone: (850) 494-5656
Fax: (850) 494-5664
www.ebaptisthealthcare.org/dui_de
Stuart
C.O.R.E. PROGRAM, INC.
907 Johnson Avenue
Stuart, FL, 34994
Phone: 772-286-7333
Fax: 772-223-0903
www.coreprogram.org
Tallahassee
NORTH FLORIDA SAFETY COUNCIL
2003 Apalachee Parkway
Suite 2003-B
Tallahassee, FL, 32301
Phone: (850) 877-5193
Fax: (850) 877-8428
www.nflasafety.com
Tampa
DUI COUNTERATTACK HILLSBOROUGH
4711 North Hubert Avenue
Tampa, FL, 33614
Phone: (813) 875-6201
Fax: (813) 876-0648
www.drivesafetampa.org
West Palm Beach
PRIDE INTEGRATED SERVICES, INC.
1310 N. Congress Avenue Suite 200
West Palm Beach, FL 33409
Phone: (561) 615-0767
Fax: (561) 615-0878
www.aboutpride.org
West Palm Beach
Metro Traffic School Palm Beach
1993 South Military Trail
West Palm Beach, FL 33415
Phone: (561) 963-7555
Fax: (561) 649-8286
www.metrotrafficschool.com
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