Aggravated DUI

Coral Gables Aggravated DUI Defense Attorney

Fighting Serious DUI Charges in the Greater Miami Area

An aggravated DUI charge raises the stakes well beyond a standard DUI. Maybe your breath test came back well above the legal limit, a child was in the car, or the situation involved an accident. Whatever the circumstances, you're now facing steeper fines and a longer license suspension, all while trying to process what happened and what comes next.

When the charges against you carry this much weight, local experience matters. At Jonathan Blecher, P.A., our aggravated DUI defense lawyer has spent over 40 years defending serious DUI cases. With more than 3,000 DUI cases handled, we deeply understand how the state builds aggravated DUI cases and how to dismantle them, making us well-equipped to fight for your liberty every step of the way.

If you’re facing an aggravated DUI charge in Coral Gables, contact us online to discuss your case with our former state prosecutor.

What Constitutes Aggravated DUI?

Aggravated DUI is defined as operating a motor vehicle while impaired by drugs or alcohol when certain aggravating factors are present, such as a high blood alcohol level, a minor passenger in the vehicle, an accident involving property damage or injury, or prior DUI convictions (Fla. Stat. § 316.193).

Enhanced DUI charges are prosecuted aggressively, making early legal intervention absolutely vital. Attorney Jonathan Blecher draws on decades of DUI defense experience to challenge weaknesses in the prosecution’s case while remaining fully prepared to represent you at trial if needed.

What Makes a DUI “Aggravated” Under Florida Law?

The prosecution only needs to prove one aggravating factor to elevate a standard DUI charge. Common triggers include:

A high blood alcohol concentration (BAC). If you had a BAC of 0.15% or higher, you may face enhanced penalties.
A minor passenger in the vehicle. Having a minor under 18 in the car automatically elevates the severity of the offense.
Property damage or non-serious injury. If a DUI results in a crash that causes property damage or minor injuries, you may face an aggravated charge.
Serious bodily injury. If a DUI creates a substantial risk of death, disfigurement, or protracted loss of bodily function, the charge may be elevated.

Our lawyer is well-versed in these nuances to evaluate the facts behind the enhancement, challenge unsupported aggravating factors, and pursue the strongest possible defense available in your case.

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Trusted When It Matters Most.

See What Our Clients Say

“He is quick, he knows Florida statutes, he has the connections, and he is relentless in representation.”
I've know Jonathan for over 10 years now. We met when I was living in Miami and needed a defense attorney on a potential criminal traffic matter. I can say, Jonathan is the best that you could every hire. He is quick, he knows Florida statutes, he has the connections, and he is relentless in representation. The only thing I can say about Jonathan is amazing! He represented me, during a very difficult time in my life, and took care of the details. This is a man I will always have the highest respect for.....always! You walk the talk and represent your client as top priority! Glad we have defense lawyers like you.

- Carter
“Straight forward, honest and professional”
Jonathan is an absolutely first-class attorney! He provided me with candid, timely legal advice at a moment’s notice—after a recent auto accident. Most importantly, he was straightforward, honest, and professional…I highly recommend.

- Daniel
“Wow!”
Mr. Blecher, not knowing who I am, helped me get deep information about a bail bond for my friend just to help out! He really cares! Thank you!

- Camilo
“Professional & Knowledgeable”
“Jonathan was professional, knowledgeable, and took the time to really listen to my concerns. He made sure I understood every step of the process. His calm and thoughtful approach made a challenging situation much easier to handle.”

- Jennifer S.
“10/10”
Jonathan is definitely someone you can count on in times of trouble. He has tremendous legal experience, and achieved an outcome in my favor that was beyond my expectations. I can’t thank him enough. He was there for me and my family when many were not, never judged and always treated me with respect. I would absolutely recommend this man if in need of a criminal defence attorney.

- Chris
“Very professional”
- Geovanni
“5 Stars!!”
I was searching the internet for information regarding a denial to purchase a firearm and came across this firms site. Due to a minor problem with reading the article, I texted them to let them know of the issue. Well, I then received a call within minuets from Jonathan; he forwarded the site info to the webmaster. He then asked what I was looking for and I explained the denial issue. We talked for about 10 min and he gave me some good info and sent me to FDLE to get a Background check and look into the reasons why. I never had a lawyer help me out without asking for money first! If I were in Florida and needed help on anything, I believe he would be my go-to guy! 5 stars, brother!!!

- Gary
“Honest, Ethical, and Highly Experienced”
Mr. Jonathan Blecher showed me from the start he was someone I can trust with my case. He is Honest, Ethical, highly experienced. His confidence driven by experience made me feel safe we will have the desired outcome in our case. With the expertise and energy he put in this case, finally, we got the results we wanted, and I owe it all to him. He changed my life! so I'm forever grateful. He knows how to do his job. Wow, he is truly an amazing attorney at law! I would recommend him to all my friends and family.
Thank you so much for helping me, Mr. Jonathan.

- Lester
“Highly recommended great service and support”
Highly recommended great service and support. Very knowledgeable every step of the way . Thanks again for a great experience.

- Brian

What Are the Penalties for Aggravated DUI?

The penalties of an aggravated DUI conviction depend on the specific charge and the defendant’s criminal history. A BAC of 0.15% or higher or a minor in the vehicle increases the maximum fine and requires an ignition interlock device (IID), even for a first offense. If the DUI causes property damage or injury, additional jail time, fines, and restitution can follow, as well as years in state prison.

These penalties extend well beyond the courtroom. A DUI conviction can also affect your auto insurance rates, limit job and licensing opportunities, and leave a permanent mark on your record that shows up on background checks. With so much at stake, working with our experienced defense lawyer is critical to protecting your freedom and future opportunities.

How Our Former Prosecutor Challenges High-Stakes DUI Charges

Seeing the Case From the State’s Side

Attorney Blecher has sat on the other side of the table and knows what the state looks for when building an aggravated DUI case. We leverage this background to expose vulnerabilities and build a robust defense.

Questioning Crash Reconstruction Findings

When an accident is involved, the prosecution often relies on a crash reconstruction expert to establish fault. We can analyze these findings and question the expert directly to challenge the state’s version of events.

Disputing Fault in Accident Cases

We look at the full picture, including road conditions, other drivers involved, and witness accounts, to determine whether the state can prove your guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.

Challenging Elevated Breathalyzer Results

We don’t just accept testing results at face value. We can subpoena the maintenance and calibration logs from your arrest to look for potential software glitches, outdated calibrations, or operator errors that may produce invalid readings.

Don’t let an elevated breathalyzer reading land you in jail. Call (786) 977-9355 to schedule a free consultation with our top-rated defense attorney.

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