A DUI conviction could damage your life and keep you from important future opportunities. If you’ve been arrested for a DUI, you may be wondering what your legal options are and how you can move past it quickly.
The RIDR (Reducing Impaired Driving Recidivism) Program was introduced in 2018 and has made Florida roads safer, lowered the number of repeat DUI offenders, and streamlined DUI case results. Essentially, the RIDR Program gives first-time DUI defendants another chance to ‘start over’ by avoiding a conviction–as long as they qualify and meet certain terms.
Discuss your DUI case in a free and private attorney consultation. Call our Tampa law office today at (813) 229-5353 or simply send us your online case form to get started.
How Does the RIDR Program Work?
There are three (3) levels of the RIDR program. These levels are broken down by the defendant’s blood alcohol content (BAC) or specific case conditions about the substance involved in the DUI.
Here are the RIDR levels and how they are organized:
- Level 1 – cases that involve a BAC at .15 or below
- Level 2 – cases with a BAC of over .15 or with no breath sample available as evidence
- Level 3 – cases where the DUI was drug-related
The different levels of RIDR represent different conditions that must be completed before a defendant enters the program. This means that you will have a window of time to successfully meet the terms that match the RIDR level for your DUI case.
Completing Your Pre-Plea Conditions
Some terms that you may have to complete before entering the RIDR program include requirements such as:
- Attending a victim impact panel
- Completing community service hours
- Going to DUI school
- Receiving drug evaluations
- Getting any recommended treatment
These are just some of the conditions that may be asked of you. If you are eligible to enter the RIDR program, the requirements may be different for you, depending on your case. Speak with an experienced criminal law attorney if you have questions about RIDR eligibility or the specific requirements that you would have to complete to qualify.
A Reduced Charge for Probation
When a DUI defendant completes the above requirements, they usually enter a guilty plea to reckless driving before entering the RIDR program. This reduced charge is typically offered by The State in exchange for a withhold of adjudication if the defendant completes additional conditions during a 12-month probationary period to follow the plea.
Who Is Eligible to Enter the Program?
The State Attorney’s Office reviews cases involving DUI charges to see if any defendants qualify to enter the RIDR program. Depending on various case factors, the defendant’s individual history, and specific eligibility criteria, The State may offer it as a legal option.
If you are not sure or even doubt that you would be able to get into the RIDR program because of your DUI case, be sure to ask an attorney with experience in criminal law. It could be a mistake to make an assumption about your situation, since the defendants who are found eligible for RIDR are usually evaluated on an individual basis.
A Tampa attorney can guide you and explain what options may be available to you–RIDR or not. Contact us to discuss your DUI or drug case and ask any questions you have.
Hire A Tampa Attorney for DUI Help
If you are convicted for a DUI, you may miss out on jobs, housing, and other chances to secure a stable and successful life. Not to mention the insurance premium price jumps and the shame that can go along with a DUI conviction.
Remember that the RIDR program may not work for everyone, depending on the facts of each case. There are some DUI cases that could have a better outcome for a defendant if they are dealt with in pre-trial motions or at trial instead of taken to the RIDR program.
However, your possible case results are something that may be best determined with the help of an experienced attorney. In your free consultation, you can talk about your case details with an attorney and figure out the pros and cons of RIDR to find out if it would be a good choice for you.
