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Attorneys Pedro Matos & Gilbert Arroyo
Orlando DUI Defense Attorney & Central Florida Drunk Driving Representation
Arrested for DUI? Former prosecutors Pedro Matos & Gilbert Arroyo of The AM Lawyer, P.A. fight for you 24/7 across Orlando, Orange County, and Central Florida — with bilingual representation in English and Spanish.
You Have Only 10 Days to Save Your License
Under Florida law, anyone arrested for DUI in Orlando, Orange County, or elsewhere in Central Florida has just 10 calendar days from the date of arrest to request a formal review hearing with the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles (DHSMV). This is the only opportunity to contest the administrative suspension of your driver's license before it takes effect.
10 Days. No Extensions. No Exceptions.
Once the window closes, your right to a formal review hearing is gone permanently. The AM Lawyer, P.A. moves immediately to file your request and begin building your defense — in English or Spanish.
Automatic License Suspension
Miss the 10-day window and the DHSMV imposes an automatic suspension — with no hearing and no chance to challenge the stop, the field sobriety exercises, or the breath test results.
The Clock Starts at Arrest
Your 10 calendar days begin the moment you are arrested anywhere in Orlando, Orange County, or Central Florida — not when you hire an attorney or appear in criminal court.
A Separate Deadline From Your Criminal Case
The DMV formal review hearing is independent of your criminal DUI charge. Losing this window can cost you your driving privileges even before your criminal case is resolved.
10 Days To Request Your Hearing
Serving clients across Orlando, Orange County, and the 9th Judicial Circuit — don't let the deadline pass while you wait.
Request Your 24/7 Emergency Consultation
If you were arrested for DUI in Orlando, Orange County, or anywhere in Central Florida, every hour matters. The AM Lawyer, P.A. is available around the clock to review your case and begin building your defense immediately.
Criminal Court vs. DMV Hearing: What's the Difference?
If you've been arrested for DUI in Orlando or anywhere in Central Florida, you are facing two completely separate legal processes at the same time. Understanding both is critical to protecting your license and your record.
Criminal Court Proceedings
This is the case brought by the State Attorney's Office in the 9th Judicial Circuit. It determines guilt or innocence on the underlying DUI charge and carries penalties such as fines, probation, and potential jail time.
1. Arrest
Formal DUI charge filed in Orange County criminal court.
2. Arraignment
First appearance before an Orlando criminal judge to enter a plea.
3. Pretrial & Discovery
Your attorney reviews stop footage, sobriety exercises, and breath test records.
4. Resolution
Case resolved through trial, negotiated plea, or diversion eligibility.
DMV Administrative Hearing
Separate from the criminal case, the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles (DHSMV) automatically moves to suspend your driving privilege. This track runs on its own strict clock, regardless of what happens in criminal court.
1. Day 1
License suspension begins at the time of arrest or test refusal.
2. 10-Day Window
A formal review hearing must be requested with DHSMV to contest the suspension.
3. Formal Review Hearing
A hearing officer — not a judge — examines the administrative record.
4. Outcome
Suspension is upheld, invalidated, or driving privileges are reinstated with conditions.
Both cases move forward independently — and the administrative clock on your license moves far faster than the criminal case. Orlando and Orange County drivers who understand this distinction early are far better positioned to protect both their driving privileges and their record. The AM Lawyer, P.A. represents clients across Central Florida on both fronts, in English and Spanish, from the moment you call.
Florida DUI Penalties Under § 316.193
Under Florida Statutes § 316.193, a DUI conviction in Orlando, Orange County, or anywhere in Central Florida carries escalating criminal penalties based on your blood alcohol content and any prior record. Here is what you are facing.
First Offense
BAC 0.08% – 0.149%
Jail Time
Up to 6 months in county jail
Fines
$500 – $1,000
License Suspension
License revocation of 180 days to 1 year
Additional Penalties
Up to 1 year probation, DUI school, and 50 hours of community service
Enhanced BAC (0.15+)
BAC 0.15% or higher
Jail Time
Up to 9 months in county jail
Fines
$1,000 – $2,000
License Suspension
License revocation of 180 days to 1 year
Additional Penalties
Mandatory ignition interlock device for at least 6 months
Repeat Offenses
Second or subsequent conviction
Jail Time
Up to 9 months (2nd) or 12 months (3rd within 10 years, a felony)
Fines
$1,000 – $5,000 depending on prior convictions
License Suspension
License revocation of up to 5 years; mandatory vehicle impoundment
Additional Penalties
Mandatory ignition interlock and potential felony record on a 3rd offense within 10 years
Orange County TIER Diversion Program
For qualifying first-time DUI offenders arrested in Orlando and throughout Orange County, the Ninth Judicial Circuit's TIER diversion program offers an alternative path through the criminal justice process. Our attorneys evaluate every Central Florida DUI arrest to determine whether TIER eligibility can work in your favor.
Eligibility Requirements
- First-time DUI offense with no prior qualifying convictions on record in Florida or elsewhere
- Breath, blood, or urine test result below the enhanced BAC threshold of 0.15
- No traffic crash involving injury to another person during the arrest
- Approval from the Office of the State Attorney for the Ninth Judicial Circuit and agreement to program conditions
Program Benefits
- Potential reduction of the DUI charge upon successful completion of program requirements
- Structured treatment and education plan that satisfies many of the court's sentencing conditions
- Reduced risk of mandatory license revocation tied to a standard DUI conviction
- A documented path of compliance that strengthens your position in both DMV and criminal proceedings
How We Challenge the Evidence Against You
A DUI arrest in Orlando or anywhere in Orange County is not a conviction. Pedro Matos and Gilbert Arroyo attack every stage of the state's case — from the initial stop on a Central Florida roadway to the machine that produced your breath test result — to find the weaknesses the prosecution hopes you'll never find.
Challenging Unlawful Traffic Stops
Florida law requires reasonable suspicion before an officer can pull you over anywhere in Orange County or Central Florida. We scrutinize dash-cam and body-cam footage, police reports, and radio logs to determine whether the stop that led to your arrest was lawful. If the stop itself was unconstitutional, the evidence gathered afterward — including breath and field sobriety results — may be suppressed entirely.
Challenging Field Sobriety Exercises
Standardized field sobriety exercises are highly subjective and routinely administered incorrectly by Orlando-area officers. Uneven pavement, poor lighting, footwear, fatigue, and medical conditions can all produce false indicators of impairment. We cross-examine arresting officers on their training and compliance with NHTSA standards to expose flawed administration and scoring.
Challenging Breathalyzer & Intoxilyzer 8000 Errors
The Intoxilyzer 8000 used throughout the 9th Judicial Circuit requires strict calibration, maintenance, and operator certification. We obtain and audit maintenance logs, calibration records, and agency inspection reports to identify testing errors, improper observation periods, and machine malfunctions that can render BAC results inadmissible.
Pedro Matos & Gilbert Arroyo
Former prosecutors turned defense attorneys, standing ready to defend drivers arrested throughout Orlando, Orange County, and Central Florida.
Pedro A. Matos
Founding Attorney & Lead Criminal Defense Attorney
Pedro Matos spent years prosecuting criminal cases before turning his courtroom experience toward defending the accused. Having stood on the other side of the aisle, he understands exactly how the State builds a DUI case — and exactly where it can be dismantled. Pedro is a regular courtroom presence in the 9th Judicial Circuit, representing clients throughout Orlando, Orange County, and Central Florida in both DUI criminal proceedings and DMV administrative hearings. He provides full legal representation in English and Spanish, ensuring every client understands every step of their defense.
- Former Prosecutor
- 9th Judicial Circuit
- English & Spanish
Gilbert R. Arroyo, Esq.
Criminal Defense Attorney & Former Prosecutor
Gilbert Arroyo built his legal foundation as a prosecutor, trying DUI and criminal cases in front of Central Florida judges and juries. He now applies that insider knowledge of law enforcement procedure and prosecutorial strategy to aggressively defend drivers arrested throughout Orlando and Orange County. Gilbert appears regularly before the 9th Judicial Circuit, challenging unlawful stops, faulty testing, and procedural errors on behalf of his clients. Fluent in English and Spanish, he ensures bilingual clients receive the same uncompromising defense in either language.
- Former Prosecutor
- 9th Judicial Circuit
- English & Spanish
Recognized & Trusted Legal Advocates
Drivers arrested for DUI throughout Orlando, Orange County, and Central Florida trust The AM Lawyer, P.A. for aggressive, credentialed courtroom representation.
Florida Bar Association Members
Former State Prosecutors
9th Judicial Circuit Courtroom Experience
5-Star Client Reviews
Bilingual Representation — English & Spanish
Certified DUI Defense Trial Advocates
Hablamos Español — Bilingual Legal Defense
A DUI arrest in Orlando or anywhere in Orange County is overwhelming enough without a language barrier standing between you and your attorney. The AM Lawyer, P.A. provides complete legal representation in both English and Spanish, so every client across Central Florida can understand their rights, their charges, and their defense strategy clearly.
- Every consultation, client meeting, and courtroom update is available fully in English or Spanish — no language barrier between you and your defense.
- Attorneys Pedro Matos and Gilbert Arroyo personally communicate with Spanish-speaking clients and families throughout Orlando and Central Florida, with no reliance on third-party interpreters for case strategy.
- Legal documents, DMV hearing notices, and court paperwork are explained clearly in the language you understand best, so you always know where your case stands.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I be charged with DUI in Florida if I wasn’t “driving”?
Yes. Florida DUI allegations can proceed under an impairment theory based on observations and other evidence, even without a “per se” BAC reading.
Can I be arrested for DUI even if my BAC is below 0.08%?
Yes. Florida DUI allegations can proceed under an impairment theory based on observations and other evidence, even without a “per se” BAC reading.
What happens if I refuse a breath, urine, or blood test?
Refusal can trigger administrative license suspension and may be used as evidence in the criminal case. The consequences depend on history and the test requested.
Will a DUI affect my job or insurance?
A DUI can impact background checks, professional licensing (depending on the field), and insurance rates. Addressing the case early can help limit long-term fallout.
Are DUI checkpoints legal in Orlando?
Checkpoints can be lawful when conducted under required guidelines, but the procedures must be followed. If not, it may affect the defense strategy.
Charged with a DUI in Orlando? Speak with a defense lawyer before you make statements or risk making your situation worse.
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