OVI Attorney in Daytona Beach

Volusia County OVI Defense with Nearly Two Decades of Local Courtroom Experience

An OVI arrest puts your license, your job, and your record at risk before you’ve had a chance to speak with anyone. If you were arrested for impaired driving in the Daytona Beach area, the decisions you make in the next 24 to 48 hours matter. Our OVI attorneys in Daytona Beach are available around the clock because we know these arrests don’t happen on a schedule.

At Thompson Law, P.A., our criminal defense practice is built around clients in Volusia County who are facing charges that threaten their freedom and future. With nearly two decades of experience in Florida criminal courts, we combine knowledge of the local court system with a defense approach tailored to each client’s specific circumstances. We work from offices in Daytona Beach and DeLand and serve clients throughout Volusia County.

Florida uses “DUI” as the statutory term under Florida Statute 316.193, but many people search for help using “OVI.” Whatever term brought you here, we’re ready to help.

Our OVI attorneys in Daytona Beach offer personalized attention, local courtroom experience, and clear communication so you know where your case stands and what choices you have. Contact us online or call us at (386) 280-4977.

Why Choose Our OVI Lawyer in Daytona Beach

When you’re deciding who should represent you, you need more than slogans. You need an OVI lawyer who understands Florida law, knows the Volusia County Seventh Judicial Circuit, and takes time to understand what matters most to you. Our firm is built around that kind of representation.

Local Experience & Case-Specific Strategy

For nearly twenty years, we’ve defended people charged with crimes in this area. That experience includes practical familiarity with how cases move through the local courts and how prosecutors typically approach OVI-related charges. This is knowledge we draw on when we evaluate your facts and discuss realistic outcomes.

No two OVI cases are alike. The circumstances of the traffic stop, how field sobriety exercises were conducted, the breath or blood test results, and your prior record all shape your options. We review those details carefully and build a defense strategy that reflects your goals, whether those relate to employment, travel, professional licensing, or other areas of your life.

Communication & Track Record

We keep you informed about court dates, what to expect at each hearing, and how the case is progressing. Our team works to return calls and messages promptly, and we encourage questions so you’re never left wondering what’s happening. Many clients tell us that level of communication helps them feel more in control during a stressful time.

Over the years, we’ve obtained favorable resolutions in criminal matters, including reductions and outcomes that limited long-term impact. Every case turns on its own facts, and no attorney can promise a particular result, but our history reflects a commitment to thorough preparation and persistent advocacy.

What to Do After an OVI Arrest in Volusia County

The hours after an OVI arrest are disorienting. You may have paperwork you don’t fully understand and a court date that feels far too close. Taking a few careful steps now can help protect your rights and give your attorney more to work with.

First, organize everything you received from law enforcement: your citation, bond documents, any notice related to your license, and information about your first court appearance. Administrative deadlines related to license suspension can arise quickly and run on a separate track from the criminal case. The sooner we can review these documents, the sooner we can advise you on timelines that may apply.

Second, avoid discussing the arrest with friends, coworkers, or on social media. Statements made to others or posted online can complicate a defense. Instead, write down your recollection of the stop, the field sobriety exercises, and any conversations with officers while those details are still fresh.

Third, understand that Florida’s implied consent law means license consequences can arise from the arrest itself, independent of any criminal conviction. If you refused a breath or urine test on or after October 1, 2025, Florida’s Trenton’s Law now classifies a first refusal as a criminal offense rather than a civil one. This makes early legal counsel especially time-sensitive.

Helpful first steps after an OVI arrest:

• Keep all paperwork from the arrest and bond documents in one place.
• Write down everything you remember about the stop and testing as soon as possible.
• Don’t post about the incident online or discuss details with anyone but your lawyer.
• Attend all scheduled court appearances and arrive early.
• Contact our team promptly so we can advise you on both license and court issues from the start.

Florida OVI Penalties & the Volusia County Court Process

Understanding what you’re facing makes the situation feel more manageable. Our OVI attorneys in Daytona Beach discuss these factors with you so you have a realistic picture of risk rather than a list of worst-case scenarios. Actual outcomes depend on your prior history, the specific facts alleged, and judicial discretion within statutory ranges.

Penalty Ranges Under Florida Statute 316.193

Under Florida Statute 316.193, a first-offense DUI can carry up to six months in jail, fines up to $1,000, a minimum 180-day license revocation, and 50 hours of community service. A blood alcohol concentration of .15% or higher triggers enhanced penalties. A second conviction within five years carries a minimum of 10 days in jail and fines up to $2,000. A third offense within ten years carries a minimum 30-day incarceration period and potential felony classification. When death or serious bodily injury is involved, charges can rise to DUI manslaughter.

License consequences run on two separate tracks in Florida. Administrative suspension can result from the arrest itself, including from a test refusal, while criminal suspension follows a conviction. Both can produce a suspension independently of the other. We help clients understand which deadlines apply and what steps may preserve limited driving privileges for work, school, and family responsibilities.

How Cases Move Through Volusia County Courts

Florida DUI cases sometimes resolve through a negotiated reduction. A “wet reckless” (reckless driving involving alcohol) is one possible outcome that may carry fewer long-term consequences than a DUI conviction, depending on the facts and prosecutorial discretion. We don’t promise that result, but we identify and pursue every realistic path.

Cases in Volusia County typically move from initial appearance through arraignment and pretrial hearings, during which evidence is exchanged and negotiations may occur. Some matters resolve before trial. Others proceed to motion hearings or trial depending on the facts and the client’s goals. Our regular presence in these courts gives us practical familiarity with how the local system works.

How We Approach Your OVI Defense

When you contact our office, our first priority is to listen. We want to understand what led up to the stop, how officers interacted with you, and any concerns you already have about testing or paperwork. That conversation helps us identify issues that may matter later and gives you a chance to ask questions in a private, nonjudgmental setting.

From there, we gather and review the available evidence, typically police reports, video footage, breath or blood test results, and documentation of field sobriety exercise administration. We examine whether the stop was legally justified, whether testing followed required protocols, and whether gaps or inconsistencies in the record could be significant to your defense.

An OVI charge can affect employment, professional licensing, and personal relationships. Those dimensions shape our strategy, not only the criminal exposure. Some clients are most concerned about jail. Others are focused on protecting a license or a professional credential. We talk through how different outcomes may affect each of those concerns and discuss options including challenging evidence, filing motions to suppress, or pursuing negotiated resolutions.

Communication stays central throughout. We explain what each court date means, what preparation is needed, and what choices you may face. Some clients want detailed explanations at every step. Others prefer a higher-level overview. We adjust to what helps you feel informed without feeling overwhelmed.

Call (386) 280-4977 to speak with our team today.

Frequently Asked Questions

Will I Go to Jail for My First OVI?

Not every first OVI results in jail time. The outcome depends on your record, the specific facts of the arrest, and how the court views your situation. We review those factors with you and discuss approaches aimed at limiting incarceration risk. Florida law sets ranges for penalties. Where your case falls within that range depends on circumstances we work to influence on your behalf.

Can You Help Me Keep My License?

We can explain Florida’s license rules and help you pursue available options, including requesting hearings and exploring limited driving privileges for work or family needs, subject to deadlines and your specific circumstances. Florida’s implied consent law means license consequences can arise from the arrest itself, separate from any criminal conviction. So contacting us early may improve your ability to address your driving privileges.

How Soon Should I Contact an OVI Attorney?

As soon as possible after the arrest. Important deadlines related to both the license and the criminal case can arise within days. If you refused a breath or urine test on or after October 1, 2025, that refusal may itself carry criminal consequences under Trenton’s Law, making early counsel even more time-sensitive. Our OVI attorneys in Daytona Beach are available around the clock to begin advising you on immediate next steps.

What Will Working with Your Firm Look Like?

We start by learning your story and concerns, then review the available evidence and explain the process in clear terms. We keep you updated on court dates and developments and encourage questions throughout. Our goal is steady, tailored guidance from the initial consultation through resolution, with a communication style adjusted to what works best for you.

How Much Does It Cost to Hire an OVI Lawyer?

Legal fees depend on the complexity of the matter and the work involved. We discuss fees openly during the consultation so you understand costs before making any decisions. We work to provide representation that reflects the seriousness of what you’re facing.

Ready to talk through your situation? Contact us online or call (386) 280-4977. We’re available around the clock to help you understand your options and take control of the next steps.