Lakeside, FL DUI Law Firms & Lawyers

Yes, it is certainly possible to beat a DUI case if there was no alcohol or drugs in your system. I don't actually think that DUI charges would even be filed in your case. Sounds like at a minimum though, they will be charging you with Possession of drugs or a more serious felony charge depending on the amount of cocaine they found in your car. Whether the evidence can be suppressed based on an illegal search or lack of probable cause to pull your car over in the first place...you should speak to a criminal defense attorney in your area in more detail about your case. At that point they can advise you if that is a strong possibility or not.

If a trial lawyer is doing his job right, 2/3 of the work is done before the jury is sworn. So if you did jury selection and the case was dismissed after that, then the lawyer deserves to be paid for the trial. In my representation agreements, I make it clear that the trial fee is refundable until a jury is sworn. After that, it is earned. 

Unfortunately, it really depends on what county you are in when you get a DUI.  In some counties they offer pre-trial diversion (“PTI”).  After a successful completion of PTI, the charge is dismissed by the state and you can potentially have your record sealed/expunged. Certain counties do not offer the PTI for first time DUI offense (such 12th judicial circuit in and for Sarasota, Manatee, and DeSoto).  In places like the 12th Circuit, a first time DUI conviction is considered a criminal traffic case and carries a Misdemeanor conviction.  A standard 1st time DUI is a Second Degree Misdemeanor. A DUI with property damage/personal injury is considered an enhanced DUI. They both, however, are considered criminal traffic and just because you have the enhancement it does not mean that one is criminal and one isn't (all things being equal and you not being entitled to PTI).  Additionally, if the damage or the personal injury is severe, the DUI can be filed as a Felony (the level is based on the severity of the injury).  In any event, if you plea No Contest or Guilty to a DUI then you will most likely have a criminal record.