Banner

DUI Law

Gainseville DUI attorney

In an effort to deter drunk driving, police are stepping up roadside enforcement and courts are handing down stiffer sentences. While no one is suggesting that DUI should be without punishment, a Gainesville DUI lawyer knows that innocent drivers can be swept into the broad net cast by Florida authorities.

The Crime of DUI

To be guilty of a DUI in Florida, you must be driving or in physical control of a vehicle with:

  • Impaired faculties, or
  • A blood alcohol level of .08 or above, or
  • A breath alcohol level of .08 or above.

The lawful blood and breath levels are lower for those under 21 and drivers with commercial licenses.

Your blood or alcohol level does not need to be .08 or above for you to be charged with DUI if your normal faculties are impaired. The prosecutor typically proves impairment with the testimony of the arresting officer that your driving was bad and you smelled of alcohol and acted drunk.

In Florida, you can be arrested for DUI even if you were not driving. You could be considered in physical control of a vehicle if you fall asleep in the car, even if you have parked and turned the engine off.

A DUI Conviction Is Not Inevitable

Many people believe it is futile to fight a DUI charge. It will be their word against the word of the police and many times evidence from breath or blood exercises is against them. However, knowledgeable Gainesville DUI lawyers know there are many possible ways to contest a DUI case.

Although each case must be evaluated on its own merits, among the most common methods to attack the prosecution’s case are to challenge:

The stop. The police must have a reason to pull over a vehicle. If the court determines there was no legally justifiable reason, all the evidence gathered subsequent to that stop may not be used against the driver.

The field sobriety exercises. Police use the results of field sobriety tests to obtain the probable cause needed for an arrest. The results of these exercises can be invalidated if they were not administered and scored correctly. Field sobriety exercises are agility exercises. Exercise failures can often be explained by factors such as injury, footwear, road conditions, and nerves.

The blood and breath exercises. These exercises must be performed according to precise scientific standards. Deviations from the proper protocols can raise doubts about the results and even make them inadmissible.

Contact a Gainesville DUI Lawyer for Legal Advice

The penalties for a DUI are far too serious to ignore. Your license can be revoked. Your car can be impounded. You may even face jail time. A DUI conviction stays on your driving record forever. The stigma of being labeled a drunk driver can have long term impacts on personal and professional reputations. Call the Law Offices of Richard Mercure, PA – RPM Law at (352) 222-2047 for a free, confidential evaluation of your DUI case.

The Best in Gainesville

There aren’t words that can truly explain the work ethic Rick has for his clients. Rick was my lawyer last year and fought tooth and nail to make sure I received the best possible outcome for my case and I did. I trust this man with my life and to this day he remains my lawyer. There was never a second that I had to second guess his judgment because he was always informative and confident. I recommend him to my closest friends and my family and he is there for us any second of the day. I thank God every single day I met Rick and if you choose him as your council you will too.

There aren’t words that can truly explain the work ethic Rick has for his clients. Rick was my lawyer last year and fought tooth and nail to make sure I received the best possible outcome for my case and I did. I trust this man with my life and to this day he remains my […]

Read More

- Jonathan

*Prospective clients may not obtain the same or similar results.

God Sent…I would trust him with my life.

Words cannot explain what a remarkable attorney he is. During one of the most stressful times in my life, Attorney Rick Mercure was my guiding light. I have never met an attorney that cared so much for their clients. Not only is he an EXCELLENT attorney, I consider him a great friend for what he has done for me and my family. Without going into details about the case, I just want everyone to know that the result he got on my case was better than I ever expected. All the reviews written about him are correct…he is trustworthy, honest, ethical, hard-working, and can be reached at all times. Not once did he fail to respond back to me when I called, text, or emailed him. He truly was a God send to me.

Words cannot explain what a remarkable attorney he is. During one of the most stressful times in my life, Attorney Rick Mercure was my guiding light. I have never met an attorney that cared so much for their clients. Not only is he an EXCELLENT attorney, I consider him a great friend for what he […]

Read More

- Fawn

“*Prospective clients may not obtain the same or similar results.

Rick had my back when I needed someone the most!

In 2012 I chose to be represented by the public defender’s office after I was charged in Gainesville, Florida. After three replacements, I was finally represented by Rick Mercure. This case was lengthy because the previous attorneys who had represented me was re-assigned to different divisions. Mr. Mercure was remarkable in keeping me informed in the progress of my case. He broke down every event for me and made sure I knew what I was facing.

Once we went to trial, Mr. Mercure definitely displayed his knowledge of the laws, court room etiquette, and argument strategy. Needless to say, Mr. Mercure won my case that day. I had a lot riding during that trial and I truly believe if Mr. Mercure hadn’t represented me then I’d be in jail for a crime that I was not guilty of.

Thank you Mr. Mercure.

In 2012 I chose to be represented by the public defender’s office after I was charged in Gainesville, Florida. After three replacements, I was finally represented by Rick Mercure. This case was lengthy because the previous attorneys who had represented me was re-assigned to different divisions. Mr. Mercure was remarkable in keeping me informed in […]

Read More

- Charles

“*Prospective clients may not obtain the same or similar results.

Take It To Trial

When I made one the dumbest decisions in my life, I was left thrown into a public system with lawyers who could care less. After being tossed between two public defenders I finally lucked out and my case was assigned to Rick. We already had an offer of reckless driving but after watching the video and sitting with him he looked at me and said “If you want to take this to trial I’ll be right by your side and I know we have a good case.”. I was so happy because before that moment I thought I would be stuck with another suit who wanted to close a file and move on. Not the case, Rick put the work in and eventually got the State to drop all charges! Look, I don’t know how else to put this, if you have made the mistake of driving under the influence and your scared that no one cares enough to help and get results? Call Rick. I’m a kid from the other side of the tracks and he really looked out for me. No DUI, community service, fines, probation. Nothing. He is a great guy and he actually cares enough about being a great lawyer to understand that his clients are what are important.

Thanks again Rick.

When I made one the dumbest decisions in my life, I was left thrown into a public system with lawyers who could care less. After being tossed between two public defenders I finally lucked out and my case was assigned to Rick. We already had an offer of reckless driving but after watching the video […]

Read More

- Anonymous

“*Prospective clients may not obtain the same or similar results.

Life Saver

When I met Richard he was a public defender with a case load to the moon and back. I always had questions about my case and I had 4 public defenders prior to getting Richard appointed to my case. I could always get in touch with him and he would always contact me to keep me updated. Sometimes we would talk about the case late at night such as 9-10 pm, because he was still in his office working. His work ethic is by far second to none, when you think about a public defender working that hard for his clients it’s unbelievable. For some reason Richard was parting ways with the public defender’s office, so I called him and hired him to represent me in a serious DUI case. Let me tell you right now……..that was the best move I’ve ever made. If you find yourself needing council you would be a fool to pass up on Richard Mercure.

When I met Richard he was a public defender with a case load to the moon and back. I always had questions about my case and I had 4 public defenders prior to getting Richard appointed to my case. I could always get in touch with him and he would always contact me to keep […]

Read More

- Rory

“*Prospective clients may not obtain the same or similar results.

Game Changer/Life Changer

Rick is an amazing attorney, best in my opinion! I had a previous attorney on my case drop the ball. I found Rick and he turned the situation around. He keeps true to his word,he’s honest, and personable. Rick was always one step ahead. I’d call him with a question or concern and he’d already spoken to the opposition. He always kept me informed whether by text, call, or email. I never even got to meet Rick, my case was in a different county than where I was residing and I still feel like he went above and beyond! I was living in North Carolina and forced to stay in Florida to complete my probation. Rick changed my life. He got me home and I can’t thank him enough! I had lost confidence in legal advice, but Rick turned that around. I trust Rick with my life, if you need a Florida attorney he’s your guy! Thank you so much for everything Rick!:)

Rick is an amazing attorney, best in my opinion! I had a previous attorney on my case drop the ball. I found Rick and he turned the situation around. He keeps true to his word,he’s honest, and personable. Rick was always one step ahead. I’d call him with a question or concern and he’d already […]

Read More

- Laura

“*Prospective clients may not obtain the same or similar results.