Contact Us
Toll Free (561) 500-5000
Partners Available 24/7 (561) 557-8686
#1 Fastest Growing Law Firm
Top Rated Lawyers
National DUI Defense
AV Preeminent 2023
Client Champion 2023 Martindale-Hubbell

DUI and Educators

High fines, jail time, and ignition interlock devices are not the only consequences that driving under the influence charges cause when you are a teacher, principal, or other educator in the Florida education system.

Upon arrest, a Florida educator will immediately be contacted by the Florida Department of Education regarding the criminal allegations and any potential disciplinary action.

Considering that our educators have the important task of informing and influencing our youth, it is in the State of Florida’s best interest to ensure that those educators are held to a high professional standard. Unfortunately, this could mean that one wrong choice can lead to serious career consequences.

Attorney for Teachers Charged with DUI in West Palm Beach, FL

If you or someone you know is a Florida educator and under investigation for driving under the influence, or if he or she is facing formal charges, contact an experienced West Palm Beach DUI attorney immediately.

The lawyers at Meltzer & Bell, P.A. fight for the rights of professionals who are charged with driving under the influence, and they fully understand how to argue to get the charges reduced, dropped, and get temporary hardship privileges.

Call Meltzer & Bell, P.A. at (561) 557-8686 for more information and to schedule a one-on-one consultation with one of our attorneys.

Back to top

Criminally Investigating a Teacher

When an educator is under investigation for driving under the influence charges, the Florida Department of Education’s Office of Professional Practices (PPS) notifies the educator in writing that it was notified of the criminal offense and the potential consequences.

If the allegations are founded, the teacher could lose his or hers Florida Educator Certificate or be subject to suspension, job loss, or other disciplinary actions.

Understanding the investigation process and why having notice is important is crucial to fighting job loss or suspension.

Back to top

What is Considered Teacher or Educator Misconduct?

Teacher or educator misconduct generally concerns the educator’s activities that directly affect the students, or concerns conduct that occurs on school property. Some activities, especially those that are criminal in nature, fall within the purview of Florida Department of Education.

Specifically, misconduct can include misdemeanor or felony accusations, even criminal traffic allegations like drunk driving. Some examples of the types of criminal misconduct that PPS investigates includes the following:

Florida Statute § 1012.796 provides the legal authority for the Office of Professional Practice Services (PPS) to investigate misconduct allegations against educators.

Back to top

Additional Resources

§ 316.193 Fla. Stat. – Visit Online Sunshine, the official website of the Florida Legislature for more information about the penalties, punishments, and elements of driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs.

What is Educator Misconduct? – Visit the Florida Department of Education website, dedicated to provided Florida education professionals with up-to-date information about Florida education policies and practices. The website provides information on criminal investigations against educators, including teachers, principals, and custodians. Also, find out how to check the status of an individual’s Florida Educator’s Certificate.

Back to top

Find an Attorney for Teachers Charged with Drunk Driving in Palm Beach County, FL

If you or someone you know is a Florida educator who has unfortunately found himself or herself subject to a criminal investigation for a drunk driving offense, then contact the experienced criminal defense attorneys at Meltzer & Bell, P.A..

Our lawyers are thorough litigators and experienced at defending educators and other professionals against the threat of professional license suspension.

We take cases throughout the Greater Miami Metropolitan Area in places like Palm Beach County, Broward County, and Miami-Dade County, in Florida.

Call (561) 557-8686 now to schedule a free, no obligations consultation with Meltzer & Bell, P.A..

This article was last updated on Wednesday, August 30, 2017.

Get Powerful Legal Support Today

✓ Over 1,000 5-Star Reviews in Florida
✓ Harness the power of former government lawyers, a former felony special unit prosecutor, and a former major crimes Public Defender
(561) 500-5000 Text us a message now
Your First Line of Defense’
(561) 500-5000

Thousands of Big Wins in Florida

Felony Possession Of Controlled Substance and DUI (Second Offense w/in 5)
The Defendant was charged with Felony Possession of Controlled Substance, punishable by 5 years in prison, and Driving Under the Influence, a second DUI offense within five years of a prior DUI conviction which carries a mandatory jail sentence and a five-year driver’s license revocation. The Defendant’s vehicle was stopped by Officer Malave of the Sunrise Police Department for repeatedly stopping and starting his vehicle near an intersection and for violating a flashing yellow light by stopping and remaining stationary at the intersection. Officer Malave approached the vehicle and made contact with the Defendant. Upon making contact with the Defendant, the Officer noticed that the defendant had the strong odor of an alcoholic beverage, bloodshot and watery eyes, slurred speech ; and the Defendant was incapable of formulating complete sentences. The Defendant would nod off in mid-sentence and was completely incoherent at times. After making those observations, Officer Malave, a female called for the assistance of two male officer’s due to the Defendant’s condition and physical size. The male officers loudly ordered the Defendant out of the car on multiple occasions, but the Defendant would not comply. The Officers attempted to forcibly remove the Defendant from the vehicle, but the Defendant resisted those efforts by bracing, pulling and stiffening his body so that the officers could not move him. The Defendant was slammed to the ground, which the officers took as a refusal to perform roadside exercises and then incorrectly read the Defendant implied consent, which only applies to breath tests. Officers noticed that there ere three cans of beer in the vehicle as well. The Defendant was arrested for DUI and was NOT taken to the Breath Testing Facility and DUI Room, but only the Broward County Main Jail. The Defendant was never asked to submit to a breath test. After the Defendant’s arrest, Officers discovered 27 pills located in a tackle box in the Defendant’s vehicle which ultimately were revealed to be anabolic steroids. Partner, Lawrence Meltzer of Meltzer & Bell prepared for trial. During preparation, the firm filed several Motions in Limine (Motions to Exclude Evidence) that asked the court to exclude any reference to roadside exercises or the Defendant’s alleged refusal top perform them as the Defendant was not offered the roadside exercises and, thus, never refused them. Additionally, the court was asked to exclude any mention of a refusal to submit to a breath test or failure to give on as, again, one was never offered. Finally, the court was asked to prohibit the State from discussing the anabolic steroids as such pills, although a controlled substance, are not those of an impairing or intoxicating nature. After receiving the Motion, the state conceded and was compelled to drop all DUI related charges. Meltzer & Bell was also able to have all felony drug charges dropped as well.
Read More
Result:  Not Guilty
Driving Under the Influence
The Defendant was charged with Driving Under the Influence. Officers of the Davie Police Department were alerted by a concerned citizen that our client was leaving The Billiard Club, a pool bar, in an extremely intoxicated state and about to drive. The Officer approached the vehicle as the car was in reverse, ordered the Defendant to stop the vehicle and conducted a wellness check and noticed the Defendant had bloodshot eyes, the odor of an alcoholic beverage, and extremely slurred speech. Based on those observations, the officer asked the Defendant to perform roadside sobriety exercises, to which the defendant refused. The Defendant was placed under arrest for DUI and was asked to submit to a breath test, but, again refused. Lawrence Meltzer of Meltzer and Bell began to prepare for trial and researched case law in an effort to suppress or throw out the stop of the Defendant’s vehicle and all evidence that followed the stop as being unconstitutional and based upon a lack of reasonable suspicion as the Defendant had done nothing to justify her vehicle being stopped. The firm and Mr. Meltzer researched a similar factual scenario in State v. Sliviak in which the stop was suppressed based upon a lack of reasonable suspicion of criminal activity in an almost identical situation. This case law was presented to the State prior to trial. Upon receiving it, the State agreed and dropped the DUI charge.
Read More
Result:  Charges Dropped
REFUSAL TO SUBMIT TO TESTING
The Defendant was observed by Officer Troy Murdock of the Coral Springs Police Department traveling 55 in a 40mph and weaving uncontrollably to the extent traffic began to slow in order to evade her. The officer activated his emergency lights in order to stop the Defendant, however, she did not until she was forced to because of a traffic backup at the intersection of Riverside Drive and Coral Springs Drive. Upon making contact with the Defendant, the officer noticed the defendant to have an extremely strong odor of an alcoholic beverage; that she could not handle or identify her vehicle documentation and that her speech was extremely slurred and that she was disoriented to the point where she was nodding off in front of the officer. When asked if she knew how fast she was moving the defendant responded by saying “I was doing 99.9”. The Defendant was asked to exit the vehicle and could not place the car in park. Upon exiting the vehicle, the Defendant almost fell into oncoming traffic and had to be saved by the officer. The Defendant could not maintain her balance and was disheveled in her appearance. The defendant refused to perform roadside exercises and later refused a breath test. The defendant had previously been arrested for DUI and previously had her licensed suspended for refusing a breath test and admitted to “having some vodkas”. Meltzer & Bell, once again, proceeded to trial. At trial, our attorneys were able to demonstrate that the officer was not truthful in his testimony through the use of photographs and google satellite photos, and based upon the testimony of the client.
Read More
Result:  DUI Dismissed
View All

This past year I bought myself a new toy. It’s the third bike I’ve owned, so ‘Im familiar with the tickets that come with it. So far Steven Bell, Esq. has had my reckless driving reduced to a $50 fine and driving school-no points and a complete dismissal of criminal charges. Had my driving without a license dropped-no points. And a 30 over speeding ticket to a fine and driving school-no points. I’d have to say this law-firm handles their own. If your looking for a stress free way of handling your tickets call Meltzer and Bell PA, “The Traffic Stop”.

L.J.
19 Aug 2023

Meltzer and Bell, P.A., “The Traffic Stop,” really went above and beyond in their representation of me in Osceola County on my speeding ticket. They may possibly be THE BEST traffic lawyers I’ve ever encountered. Be sure to send your friends and family to the Meltzer and Bell, P.A., “The Traffic Stop,” for their traffic ticket and DUI needs. I can’t believe that they got the result that they did. Quite simply, they are the most professional firm that I have ever dealt with, and their level of expertise and communication is unparalleled.

I sincerely thank you for everything.

J.N.
27 Jul 2023

I just had to commend you on the outstanding job you did on behalf of your client in court yesterday. If my clients were ever to ask me if I know of a good DUI defense attorney, I know to whom I can refer them!

A.A.
14 Jun 2023

I just wanted to thank you for taking care of my ticket for me. I am thrilled with the outcome and I will definitely refer you to all my family and friends! Thank you so much!

C.W.
05 May 2023

Thank you Meltzer and Bell, The Traffic Stop, for handling my recent accident case. You did an amazing job in getting my case dismissed and saved me TONS of money in the long run. I will always recommend your services to anyone who wants the job done right!

K.R.
25 Apr 2023
DUI
515 N Flagler Dr #240
West Palm Beach, FL 33401
(561) 557-8686
Directions
110 SE 6th St Suite 1749
Fort Lauderdale, FL 33301
(954) 765-6585
Directions
1 SE Ocean Boulevard
Stuart, FL 34994
(772) 248-1215
Directions
18851 NE 29th Ave #750
Aventura, FL 33180
(772) 291-2534
Directions
211 S 2nd St
Fort Pierce, FL 34950
(954) 765-6585
Directions
Call Us
Text Us

Contact Us

Call (561) 500-5000 or fill out the form below to get in touch with one of our attorneys.