Wesley Chapel Family Law Attorney | Butash Law Group

Yes. Florida's DUI statute applies equally to motorcycles and motor vehicles, so a blood alcohol concentration of 0.08% or higher - or impairment by drugs - can result in a DUI charge. The field sobriety tests used roadside, however, are designed for four-wheeled vehicles and may be challenged as unreliable when applied to motorcyclists. An attorney can scrutinize how the stop was conducted and whether the testing procedures were appropriate.

After a crash involving injury or significant property damage, law enforcement may file charges ranging from careless driving to felony reckless driving or vehicular battery. Pasco County investigators and prosecutors often rely heavily on the initial accident report, which may reflect officer bias against the rider. Retaining a criminal defense attorney quickly allows your legal team to preserve evidence, interview witnesses, and counter the prosecution's narrative before it hardens.

Yes. Under Florida Statute § 316.191, street racing and exhibition of speed are criminal offenses - not mere civil infractions - and convictions carry mandatory license revocation, fines, and potential jail time. Motorcyclists are frequently targeted for these charges based on the sound of their exhaust or a single hard acceleration. A defense attorney can challenge whether the officer's observations actually met the legal standard required for the charge.

Remain calm, comply with lawful officer commands, and invoke your right to remain silent beyond providing your license, registration, and insurance. Do not explain your riding behavior, apologize, or speculate about fault at the scene. Contact Butash Law Group as soon as possible so an attorney can advise you before any further statements are made to law enforcement or insurance representatives.

A conviction for offenses such as DUI, reckless driving, or fleeing and eluding can trigger mandatory suspension or revocation of your Florida driver's license, affect your ability to obtain a motorcycle endorsement, and cause significant insurance premium increases or policy cancellation. Certain convictions also carry mandatory adjudication, meaning the court cannot withhold it from your record. Avoiding or minimizing these collateral consequences is a central goal of skilled criminal defense.

Mike Butash spent years as an Assistant State Attorney learning exactly how criminal cases are built, what evidence prosecutors rely on, and where weaknesses in the state's case are most likely to appear. That insider perspective allows him to anticipate charging decisions, identify procedural errors, and negotiate from an informed position with Pasco County prosecutors. Riders benefit from a defense strategy shaped by direct knowledge of how the other side thinks.