Having a DUI in Florida about 1991 and leaving the state before the final court date. What are options?
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Having a DUI in Florida about 1991 and leaving the state before the final court date. What are options?
Person stopped – receives DUI. Father has stroke. Takes father to family in other state and cares for him for 5 years before father dies. No place to live if returns to Florida and by this time no money to pay fine. Think it is first offense. Is now on permanent Social Security disability.
Asked on June 13, 2009 under Criminal Law, Washington
Answers:
B. B., Member, New Jersey Bar / FreeAdvice Contributing Attorney
Answered 15 years ago | Contributor
I'd suspect that there's been a warrant for your arrest in Florida, since you missed the court date. It may be that the only reason you haven't been picked up on that is that Florida doesn't know where you are right now.
Your best bet is to talk to an attorney in the Florida county where the DUI took place, let him or her review all the facts. One place you can find a qualified lawyer is our website, http://attorneypages.com
The attorney will not, and cannot, turn you in, even if you choose not to hire them. You are protected by attorney-client privilege, and every reputable attorney I've ever talked to will go to the wall to protect that. There are very few exceptions, for things like lawsuits between the attorney and client, and where the client tells the attorney of a plan to commit a serious crime in the future, and neither of these will apply to your case at this point.
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