FLORIDA SUSPENDED 24,000 DRIVERS LICENSES LAST YEAR FOR DRUG CONVICTION

According to Reason.com the State of Florida suspended the drivers license's of 24,000 Floridians last year due to a drug conviction. Even if the drug offense did not involve a motor vehicle, the Florida DMV will suspend your drivers license for 1 year for any drug possession conviction (an “adjudication”). This is known as an "893" suspension. A “withheld adjudication” should not prompt a suspension. Florida law also allows you to lessen the suspension length if you complete a drug treatment program.  

FloridaStatute 322.055(1) states, “… The period of such revocation shall be 1 year or until the person is evaluated for and, if deemed necessary by the evaluating agency, completes a drug treatment and rehabilitation program approved or regulated by DCF.” Not sure what program you should attend? Neither am I. Your best option is to contact the "Bureau of Administrative Reviews" in the county in which you live. This Bureau is the part of the DMV to speak with concerning how to get your license back and which “treatment and rehabilitation program” will meet their requirements.

My experience is that I sometimes get differing information from different DMV officials concerning the same set of facts. Therefore, if you are going to contact the Bureau of Administrative Reviews about which program they require, try to get something in writing. At the very least, write down the time, date, name of the person with whom you spoke, and the information given to you. You may need it for future reference.

If you or anyone you know has questions about a drivers license suspension due to a drug conviction, call Fort Lauderdale Criminal Attorney Gary Cole at 954.462.4600. 

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Plantation police union opposes drug testing

Union officials at the Plantation police department oppose drug testing for officers unless the officers are given the identity of their accusers. While the union does not oppose random drug testing of officers, it disagrees with the selective testing of officers based upon unsubstantiated accusations unless the accuser’s identity is made known.

Different agencies have different standards for requesting drug tests. The Broward Sheriff’s Office can request a drug test without explanation. The Coral Springs department does not reveal the source of an accusation and requests drug testing from officers using a “reasonable suspicion” standard after approval of at least two department members. The Fort Lauderdale Chief of Police may require an officer to take a drug test at any time.

Fort Lauderdale Criminal Defense Lawyer:

The news is rife with stories of police and politician misconduct regarding drugs. Recently, several BSO deputies were investigated for illegal use of steroids. (More than half subsequently tested negative for steroids). Florida promotes random drug testing of high school athletes and a Florida legislator recently announced that he would like to require random drug tests on those receiving unemployment compensation. While this may be a lofty pursuit, why does the public not insist on drug testing for those who are charged with protecting the public. Should we not hold public servants to a higher level? Politicians, their staff, police officers should all be subjected to drug testing - and not randomly. Only then, can the public have confidence in those charged with its protection.

Fort Lauderdale Criminal Lawyer