DUI & Criminal Division

Clearwater

Handling a Clearwater DUI Arrest Can Be Overwhelming – But You Don’t Have to Face It Alone

If you were arrested for DUI in Clearwater or anywhere in Pinellas County, your heart’s probably still racing. The flashing blue lights, the roadside tests, the cuffs clicking shut—it hits like a storm. One moment you’re heading home, the next you’re in the back of a squad car, wondering what just happened and what comes next.

And now that you’re sitting here trying to figure it all out, the fear sets in. Will I lose my license? My job? What will this do to my record? Maybe this was your first arrest, or maybe it’s happened before. Either way, here’s the brutal reality—Clearwater and the rest of Tampa are part of one of Florida’s most aggressive DUI enforcement regions.

Pinellas County Is Florida’s DUI Hotspot – And Clearwater Is Right in the Middle

It’s not just hype. In 2024 alone, Pinellas County reported close to 3,300 DUI arrests. That’s not counting the hundreds more in neighboring cities like Largo, Dunedin, and Seminole. Law enforcement here is relentless, and local prosecutors are tough. Clearwater Police and Florida Highway Patrol take DUI cases seriously—and they bring everything they’ve got.

If you’re facing DUI charges here, it means stepping into the Pinellas County Justice Center at 49th Street North, where your case will unfold in front of sharp prosecutors and seasoned judges. No-nonsense courtroom. No time to waste.

The Stakes in Clearwater Are High—The Law Doesn’t Go Easy

Under Florida Statute §316.193, even a first-time DUI can bring:

  • Up to 6 months in jail

  • Fines of $500 to $1,000

  • Mandatory license suspension

  • DUI school and community service

  • Vehicle impound and probation

If your BAC was over .15, or if there was a child in the car, those penalties go way up—more jail time, higher fines, and mandatory ignition interlock. And that’s just the criminal side.

There’s Also the DMV—and the Clock Is Already Ticking

The Florida DHSMV doesn’t wait for the court to decide your guilt. The moment you’re arrested, they start the process to suspend your license. You have only 10 days to file for a formal review hearing to fight that automatic suspension. Miss that window? You’re off the road before your case even hits the courtroom.

A suspension now could mean losing your job, missing classes, or falling behind on family obligations. It could mean paying hundreds—or thousands—just to get your license reinstated down the line. It all adds up fast.

This Is Why You Call a Clearwater DUI Lawyer Right Away

A strong defense starts early. The DUI lawyers at The Ticket Clinic in Clearwater know exactly how local DUI cases work. We’ve been inside the Justice Center more times than we can count. We know the prosecutors. We know what evidence they rely on—and how to tear it apart. We know when to negotiate and when to fight tooth and nail.

You’ll find over 2,000 DUI and criminal case wins listed on our site—most right here in Pinellas County. Our Clearwater office is minutes from the courthouse, and our lawyers are ready to get involved the moment you call.

Fast Action. Real Legal Help. No Delays.

Here’s how it works:

  • You call us—day or night.

  • If it’s during business hours, you’ll talk to an attorney in under 10 minutes.

  • We’ll ask a few questions, give you a fast quote, and if you’re ready, you can pay over the phone.

  • We get started immediately—filing for your DMV hearing, collecting evidence, building your case.

This isn’t just some online legal mill. The Ticket Clinic is Florida’s biggest DUI firm—with 28 locations and over 5 million cases handled. Our Clearwater team brings local expertise and big-firm power. And we’re not just about speed—we’re about results.

Yes, DUI Charges Can Be Fought

Don’t let anyone tell you that fighting a DUI in Clearwater is a waste of time. That’s nonsense. Our DUI attorneys look at everything—the traffic stop, the breath test, the arrest procedure, the device calibration records. If there’s a flaw, we’ll find it. If the arrest was shaky, we’ll expose it. We even file Pretrial Motions to Suppress evidence when the arrest violated your rights. That alone can sometimes get the case dismissed.

Every case is different. But every case is worth fighting.

Worried About Cost? We Make It Work

Legal help shouldn’t be something only the wealthy can afford. That’s why we offer flexible payment plans. You decide how much to put down. The rest? Split into easy monthly payments. We accept all major credit cards, and we’re committed to making top-tier DUI defense accessible to everyone.

More Than Just DUI Lawyers—We’re Full Criminal Defense Pros

If your charges go beyond DUI, we’re ready. We defend against:

  • Drug possession and paraphernalia charges

  • Driving while license suspended (DWLS)

  • Hit and run or leaving the scene

  • Racing on highways or street racing

  • Felony DUI or DUI with injury

  • Assault and resisting arrest

  • Underage drinking and DUI

  • Reckless driving and speeding over 100 mph

We’ve seen it all. And we’ve fought it all. If it happened behind the wheel—or escalated after a traffic stop—we know how to handle it.

This Doesn’t Have to Be the End of the Road

Getting arrested for DUI in Clearwater doesn’t mean your life is over. It means you’ve got a fight ahead—and we’re here to take it on with you. You don’t have to settle. You don’t have to accept the worst. You can challenge this.

Call The Ticket Clinic at (800) 625-5232 now. Talk to a local Clearwater DUI lawyer. Let’s take the weight off your shoulders and get moving. Because the sooner we act, the stronger your defense will be.

Rolando A. Sanchez, Esq.

Originally from Miami , grew up in Central Florida.  After high school, he joined the U.S. Air Force where he worked on F-15E fighter jets as an Avionics Technician.  He was Honorably Discharged. Afterwards, he attended University of Central Florida and received a BSBA Finance Degree, cum laude.  Next, he attended Barry University for law school and among other things, served as V.P. of the Veterans Legal Society.  Since graduating in 2016, Mr. Sanchez has dedicated his career to helping those charged with criminal matters.  These cases include traffic, misdemeanors and felonies, including trials and post-conviction relief. Mr. Sanchez is the lead attorney in Ticket Clinic’s Kissimmee office, handling cases in Osceola, Polk, Hardee and Desoto Counties.