How Bad is a Third DUI in Fort Myers?

Like virtually all other states, Florida enforces increasingly strict penalties based on how many prior DUI convictions you have on your record. Commit numerous DUIs within the “lookback period,” and you could face severe consequences for your next offense. How bad is a third DUI in Fort Myers? This is a question many defendants have asked before, and they often bring this issue up with the DUI defense attorneys in Fort Myers.

Fort Myers Man Arrested for Third DUI Offense 

If you’re looking for a real-world example of how bad a third DUI can get in Fort Myers, consider a recent incident involving a 45-year-old who crashed his car through a parking lot gate before passing out behind the wheel. This occurred in February of 2025 in Fort Myers, and it led to a prompt police response.

Witnesses alerted the authorities after they noticed the individual crash his vehicle outside a downtown high-rise building. The engine was still running when police arrived, although the individual behind the wheel had passed out. Officers noticed the smell of alcohol emanating from the vehicle, and they also noted slurred speech and “incoherent rambling” once the man regained consciousness. The defendant also told one female officer that he had fallen in love with her.

The man failed a sobriety test, which led to a search of his vehicle. Police then uncovered four open bottles of liquor. They also noticed that the vehicle did not have an ignition interlock system, despite a court order requiring the defendant to install one. This constituted a parole violation, leading to more legal consequences.

The Department of Corrections is pursuing a jail sentence of almost one year for this defendant. However, Gulf Coast News Now implies that the man has eluded law enforcement – and he was not in custody when the department made its recommendation. As a result, anyone with information about the man’s location has been urged to contact their local police department.

What Are the Penalties for a Third DUI in Fort Myers? 

The maximum penalty for a third DUI in Fort Myers is a 12-month jail sentence. The minimum sentence is 30 days in jail. In order to determine how many DUI convictions you have on your record, courts in Florida consider the past 10 years. This is called a “lookback period.”

It is not clear why the man who recently crashed his vehicle in Fort Myers faced the maximum jail sentence. Although he may have been rambling and saying inappropriate things to female officers, no one was hurt. However, the fact that the individual had four open bottles of hard liquor in his vehicle may have been a factor.

Can a DUI Defense Attorney in Fort Myers Help if I Have Prior Convictions? 

A DUI defense attorney in Fort Myers may be able to help virtually anyone facing DUI charges – including those with prior convictions on their records. A third DUI can be challenging – but certain defense strategies could be possible. To learn more about your legal options, consider a consultation with The Foley & Wilson Law Firm today.

 Sources: 

gulfcoastnewsnow.com/article/fort-myers-man-wanted-after-third-dui-probation-violation/63800713

flhsmv.gov/driver-licenses-id-cards/education-courses/dui-and-iid/florida-dui-administrative-suspension-laws/