The Hillsborough County State Attorney’s Office has established the Reducing Impaired Driving Recidivism (RIDR) Program. RIDR seeks to reduce impaired driving by imposing requirements like alcohol monitoring devices and DUI education programs on first-time, non-aggravated DUI offenders.
Who Is Eligible for RIDR Consideration?
- The case must be a misdemeanor DUI.
- No minor in the vehicle, BAC of .20 or higher, or a crash.
- No prior: DUI, alcohol-related reckless driving, DWLS with serious bodily injury or death, leaving the scene of an accident with injury or death, vehicular homicide, DUI diversion program or more than one non-DUI diversion program as an adult, or, in the five years prior to the date of offense, no adjudication, a withhold, or any portion of a sentence on a felony.
- No pending: Florida driver license suspension, DUI, DWLS with serious bodily injury or death, leaving the scene of an accident with injury or death, vehicular homicide, or participation in Pre-Trial Intervention or probation.
Eligibility is determined at the discretion of the State Attorney’s Office and may be based on relevant factors not mentioned above. The SAO will assign a sanction level to eligible cases:
- Level 1–BAC at or below .15
- Level 2–BAC above .15 or no breath sample
- Level 3–Drug-related DUIs
All offenders must:
- Remain crime-free;
- Complete DUI School and begin recommended treatment;
- Attend the MADD Victim Impact Panel; and
- Complete ten community service hours.
Level 1 and Level 2 offenders must further:
- Provide proof of installation of an ignition interlock alcohol monitoring device or a continuous alcohol monitoring device.
Level 3 offenders must further:
- Not possess or consume alcohol, illegal drugs, or non-prescribed drugs; and
- Use PharmCheck Drugs of Abuse Patch with results provided to the SAO.
What Happens If You Complete the Pre-plea Sanctions?
Upon satisfaction of the Pre-Plea Sanctions, offenders will be offered a plea of reckless driving with the following sanctions:
- Withhold of adjudication;
- Twelve months probation;
- Standard court costs and conditions of probation;
- Ten-day vehicle immobilization;
- No possession or consumption of alcohol, illegal drugs, or non-prescribed drugs during probation; and
- Successful completion of DUI School and any recommended treatment.
Level 1 offenders must further complete:
- Fifty community service hours; and
- Three months of ignition interlock alcohol monitoring or continuous alcohol monitoring.
Level 2 offenders must further complete:
- Seventy-five community service hours; and
- Six months of ignition interlock alcohol monitoring or continuous alcohol monitoring.
Level 3 offenders must further:
- Complete fifty community service hours; and
- Wear a PharmCheck Drugs of Abuse Patch for three months with results provided to HCSO Probation.
Should I Contact an Attorney?
If you or a loved one would like to learn more about the RIDR Program it is important that you contact an experienced criminal defense lawyer. The RIDR Program may be the difference between a DUI conviction and a withhold of adjudication.
Why Fernandez & Hernandez?
If you or someone you know needs help understanding the RIDR Program Fernandez & Hernandez will guide you through the process and may be able to assist you in getting the outcome you deserve. If you or a loved one would like to learn more about the RIDR Program call Fernandez & Hernandez for a free consultation.
The attorneys at Fernandez & Hernandez are bilingual and will provide a free and confidential consultation so that you can discuss your situation. Fernandez & Hernandez can help you understand all of your options and may be able to help you find a solution to your problem.
Tampa Criminal defense attorney Daniel J. Fernandez has experience with DUI cases and will work diligently to get your situation resolved. Attorney Daniel J. Fernandez can help guide you through the process. If you need assistance with the RIDR Program, call Tampa Criminal Defense Attorney Daniel J. Fernandez of Fernandez & Hernandez at (813) 229-5353.
