What to Do in the First 24 Hours After a Broward County DUI Arrest

Getting arrested for DUI in Broward County can be a frightening experience. Your mind races with questions: Will I lose my license? Can I keep my job? What happens next? As a Fort Lauderdale criminal defense attorney who has represented countless DUI clients, I can tell that worry is completely normal – but spiraling won’t help. But what you do in the first 24 hours after your arrest can impact the outcome of your case.

The 10-Day Window: Your License Is at Immediate Risk

Here’s what most people don’t realize when they’re released from jail: the clock is already ticking on your driver’s license. Under Florida Statute 322.2615, you have only 10 days from the date of your arrest to request a formal review hearing with the Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles (DHSMV). Miss this deadline, and your license will be automatically suspended.

This administrative suspension is completely separate from any criminal charges you’re facing. Even if you’re ultimately found not guilty in criminal court, failing to request this hearing within 10 days means losing your driving privileges. In Broward County, where public transportation is limited and most people depend on their vehicles for work, this can be devastating.

During those first 24 hours, one of your top priorities should be contacting an experienced DUI attorney who can immediately request this formal review hearing on your behalf. The hearing gives you an opportunity to challenge the suspension and, in many cases, obtain a hardship license that allows you to drive for work and other essential purposes.

Protect Your Right to Remain Silent

In the moments or hours following your release, you may feel compelled to explain yourself—to the arresting officer who calls with follow-up questions, to investigators, or even to friends and family on social media. Don’t.

Anything you say can be used against you in court. That social media post about “only having two beers” or your detailed explanation to a friend via text message can become evidence for the prosecution. It doesn’t matter if your social media page is private or the person your texting is your best friend. These can be accessed via subpoena. Law enforcement officers are trained to build cases, and seemingly casual conversations can provide them with ammunition.

You have a Fifth Amendment right against self-incrimination. Exercise it. Politely decline to answer questions without your attorney present. This isn’t about appearing guilty—it’s about protecting your constitutional rights.

Document Everything You Remember

While you shouldn’t discuss your case with others, you should write down everything you remember about your arrest while the details are fresh. Your attorney will need this information to build your defense.

Document the following:

• Where you were coming from and where you were going
• What you ate and drank that evening (including times and quantities)
• The reason you were pulled over
• Everything the officer said and did during the stop
• The field sobriety tests administered and any physical conditions that might have affected your performance (injuries, medical conditions, footwear, road conditions, weather)
• Whether you were read Miranda rights and when
• The conditions at the breath test facility
• Any witnesses who were present

Don’t rely on your memory weeks or months from now. Create a detailed timeline as soon as possible — while these facts are still clear in your mind. If you haven’t already met with your attorney, have this information ready when you do.

Secure Evidence and Witnesses

If anyone was with you earlier in the evening or witnessed your traffic stop, get their contact information immediately. Witnesses’ memories fade quickly, and people become harder to locate as time passes.

If your vehicle was impounded, find out where it’s being held and whether any personal items need to be retrieved. Your attorney may want to inspect the vehicle or obtain maintenance records, particularly if mechanical issues contributed to your driving pattern.

Do Not Miss Your Court Date

Your Notice to Appear will list your arraignment date—typically within 30 days of your arrest at the Broward County Courthouse. Missing this court date will result in a warrant for your arrest and additional charges. Even if you hire an attorney who can appear on your behalf (which is often possible for misdemeanor DUIs), you need to remain in close contact with your legal team and aware of all court obligations.

Understand What You’re Facing

A first-time DUI in Florida carries serious consequences, including up to six months in jail, fines ranging from $500 to $1,000, probation, community service, DUI school, vehicle impoundment, and a permanent criminal record. Subsequent offenses or aggravating factors (such as a high blood alcohol level, a minor in the vehicle, or an accident causing injury) dramatically increase these penalties.

However, many DUI cases have viable defenses. Issues with the traffic stop’s legality, problems with breath test administration or calibration, medical conditions that mimic intoxication, and violations of your constitutional rights can all lead to reduced charges or case dismissals.

Your Most Important Step: Hire Experienced Legal Representation

The single most important action you can take in the first 24 hours after a DUI arrest is to consult with a qualified criminal defense attorney who focuses on DUI cases in Broward County. An experienced lawyer knows the local prosecutors and judges, understands the technical and scientific aspects of DUI cases, and can immediately begin building your defense.

Your attorney can request and review dash cam footage, body camera recordings, and breath test maintenance records. They can identify procedural errors and constitutional violations. Most importantly, they can protect your rights when you’re at your most vulnerable.

A DUI arrest doesn’t have to result in a DUI conviction. The steps you take in those critical first 24 hours can make all the difference in protecting your freedom, your license, and your future. Don’t navigate this challenging time alone—reach out to an experienced Fort Lauderdale DUI defense attorney who can guide you through every step of the process and fight for the best possible outcome in your case.

Call Fort Lauderdale Criminal Defense Attorney Richard Ansara at (954) 761-4011. Serving Broward County.

More Blog Entries:

How Police Use Bodycam and Dashcam Footage in Fort Lauderdale DUI Cases, Sept. 8, 2025, Fort Lauderdale DUI Defense Lawyer