Spring break is supposed to be a lot of fun. But getting arrested turns fun in the sun into a real bummer. If you’ve been arrested while on spring break in Florida, you shouldn’t deal with it on your own — a criminal defense attorney can help. With experienced legal representation, you will have someone on your side to help get the best outcome possible out of a bad situation.
Some of the most common things that high school and college students get arrested for on spring break include:
- drinking underage,
- driving under the influence (DUI),
- disorderly intoxication,
- serious traffic citations,
- throwing open house parties with minors in attendance, or
- using drugs such as marijuana or illegal stimulants
If this has happened to you, know you don’t have to be alone in dealing with the legal and financial ramifications.
You may be confused about what is happening and are not sure about the decisions you need to make. But it is important to know what to expect and what you need to do if you get arrested for DUI or are dealing with marijuana citations, traffic tickets, or other types of charges on spring break.
What Happens When You Get Arrested?
When you’ve been arrested on spring break in Florida, you will likely be transported to a county jail or local detention facility. Even if you feel like you haven’t done anything wrong or that you shouldn’t have been picked up by the police — be respectful. If you don’t respect the officer(s), you could get extra charges tacked on, like resisting arrest. These additional charges can tack on more severe penalties on top of what you’ve already been arrested for on spring break. It is understandable to be upset, but don’t do something that can make it worse for you.
Know that you do have legal rights and do not have to answer questions except for ones related to your identity like name and date of birth. You don’t have to consent to tests like ones that are used for DUI arrests, such as an alcohol breath test. This is a serious decision and should not be taken lightly. You also don’t have to make any statements or admit to any behavior such as drinking underage or getting into a fight at a bar or party. If you already have made statements, a lawyer can still assist you in getting the best possible outcome.
Some of the penalties that can occur if you’ve been arrested on spring break include:
- Jail time
- Hefty fines
- Loss or suspension of driver’s license
- Community service
- DUI school, and more
The penalties that an individual will get will depend on the nature and severity of the alleged offense, as well as whether you have experienced legal representation. If you get arrested for drinking underage, disorderly intoxication, get a DUI or marijuana citation, or traffic citations, you could be subjected to very serious consequences such as the ones listed above.
What You Should Do if You Get Arrested on Spring Break in Florida
The very first thing you should do is call a lawyer. An experienced criminal defense attorney understands the processes and how to deal with charges. The attorney will speak for you and act as an advocate for your rights. They can work with any issues surrounding bail, and if you are in a county jail or detention facility, work to get you out (depending on the charges), as soon as possible. A criminal defense attorney will then lead as your legal advocate regarding subsequent potential penalties.
It’s Not the End of the World
Indeed, the best thing you can do is not to get into this kind of situation in the first place. Preventing an arrest on spring break by understanding what you can do and what you shouldn’t do is key to having a wonderful week filled with fun in the sun. Know it’s not the end of the world if it does happen. Lawyers help thousands of young spring breakers every year when they get into a challenging situation.
Trust the experts, and don’t be afraid of making that call. It could be the best decision you’ve ever made.
Dean Tsourakis – Clearwater Criminal Defense Attorney
Dean Tsourakis is an experienced Clearwater criminal defense attorney and can help you if you’ve been arrested while on spring break in Florida. Call 727-785-2700.
He is dedicated to helping people and committed to your case each step of the way. Call now.
on Mar 9, 2020