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

“Excellent Experience”
“I had an excellent experience working with attorney Jonathan Blecher. He handled my case professionally and efficiently, and the outcome couldn’t have been better—my case was completely dropped, with no points, no fees, and I didn’t even ”

- Maya C.
“Very Satisfied”
“Mr. Blecher explained everything in detail, along with a timeline for when it would be completed. He did everything he promised and was able to complete everything within the timeframe promised. I was very satisfied with his work.”

- Barbara F.
“Exceeded My Expectations”
“Working with Jonathan was an excellent experience. He was attentive, clear in his communication, and made sure I understood every part of the process. I felt supported throughout, and the outcome exceeded my expectations.”

- Shaundel H.
“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.

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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