Dowgul and Hatcher Attorneys at Law Please Call : 850-763-0900 DUI convictions often result in harsh legal consequences.  If you are convicted of DUI, you may lose your license, have to spend time in jail, and/or pay large fines.  A DUI conviction can lead to devastating legal consequences, emotional turmoil, and disappointment from the offender's family and friends.  When a person is convicted of DUI, their life is subject to great restrictions and limitations.  If you have been arrested for DUI in Florida, it is in your best interest to speak with a criminal defense attorney immediately after your arrest.  The Law Office of Dowgul and Hatcher has handled a multitude of DUI cases for clients throughout Panama City and surrounding areas.  We have the legal knowledge and experience it takes to help you fight your DUI charges. Please Call : 850-763-0900 Attorney Profiles : James R. Dowgul, Esq.      James Dowgul began his legal career in the Public Defender's Office for the Twelfth Judicial Circuit in Sarasota, Florida. There, he practiced for over 2 years before the opportunity arose to return to his hometown in Bay County, where he took a position with the Public Defender's Office for the Fourteenth Judicial Circuit. James's passion for law and the direction of his legal career focuses on criminal law. James has extensive misdemeanor and felony trial experience. He has tried cases ranging from misdemeanors including DUI, battery, and drug related offenses to serious life felonies including attempted murder and vehicular homicide. James's undergraduate studies were at Florida State University where he was awarded his Bachelor's degree in Business. James's graduate studies took him to Oklahoma where he received his law degree from Oklahoma City University and met his wife, Kim, while working as an intern for the Oklahoma Supreme Court. In 2000, James furthered his legal studies and received a Master of Laws degree ( LL.M.) from Stetson University, and was admitted to the Florida Bar.     Wesley G. Hatcher, Jr., Esq.      Wes Hatcher grew up in Mobile, Alabama where he lived until he left to attend the University of West Alabama in Livingston, Alabama.  He received his undergraduate degree in History and had the good fortune of meeting his wife Lani.  Wes also received a Master’s Degree in History from the University of West Alabama prior to receiving his Juris Doctor degree from Mississippi College School of Law in Jackson, Mississippi.  Wes clerked for multiple law firms and the Hinds County Public Defender’s Office.  Wes was admitted to the Florida Bar in 2006 and took a job with the Public Defender’s Office for the Fourteenth Judicial Circuit under Herman Laramore in Bay County where he worked prior to joining the firm of Dowgul & Wilson, in 2007. Wes has extensive experience in misdemeanor cases, handling thousands of cases, including DUI, Domestic Violence, Drug related charges and Traffic cases.  He also has experience in handling Felony cases ranging from Burglaries, Felony Assault and Battery, and Drug Charges.  Wes also handles a wide variety of Family Law cases including divorce and child custody.  Wes lives in Panama City with his beautiful wife and daughter, and is a member of the Bay County Bar Association and the Florida Association of Criminal Defense Attorneys.     Please Call : 850-763-0900   ALWAYS REMEMBER YOUR RIGHTS

1. You have the right to remain silent. That means do not talk, do not answer questions, but always be nice. What may appear to be innocent sounding statements or answers sometimes prove otherwise. 2. You have the right to an attorney 3. You do not have to consent to a search. Generally, an officer asks for your permission to search because he does not have the authority to search without your consent. He needs either a search warrant, probable cause, or your permission.

The Law Office of Dowgul & Hatcher, P.A.'s primary focus is criminal law. We represent individuals charged with traffic violations to life felonies. Our website is here to help provide some general information in criminal matters. For more specific information related to your case, please contact the Law Office of Dowgul & Hatcher, P.A. for a free consultation. Our offices are located in Panama City & Chipley, Florida to provide service to our clients in Bonifay, Blountstown, Marianna, Panama City, Panama City Beach, Graceville, Mexico Beach, Chipley, Port St. Joe, and all areas in Bay, Calhoun, Gulf, Holmes, Jackson, and Washington Counties.

James Dowgul began his legal career in the Public Defender's Office for the Twelfth Judicial Circuit in Sarasota, Florida. There, he practiced for over 2 years before the opportunity arose to return to his hometown in Bay County, where he took a position with the Public Defender's Office for the Fourteenth Judicial Circuit. James's passion for law and the direction of his legal career focuses on criminal law. James has extensive misdemeanor and felony trial experience. He has tried cases ranging from misdemeanors including DUI, battery, and drug related offenses to serious life felonies including attempted murder and vehicular homicide. James's undergraduate studies were at Florida State University where he was awarded his Bachelor's degree in Business. James's graduate studies took him to Oklahoma where he received his law degree from Oklahoma City University and met his wife, Kim, while working as an intern for the Oklahoma Supreme Court. In 2000, James furthered his legal studies and received a Master of Laws degree ( LL.M.) from Stetson University, and was admitted to the Florida Bar.

Greg Wilson brings his year of experience as a State Prosecutor  to the firm. As a former Bay County Deputy Sheriff and Panama City police officer for 7 years, he received specialized training in DUI case presentment, traffic homicide investigations, and Criminal Drug Enforcement. Greg obtained his undergraduate degree in Criminology from Florida State University and his Law Degree from the University of Florida's School of Law, graduating in 2002, admitted to the Florida Bar in 2003. Greg was appointed an Assistant State Attorney in the 8th Judicial Circuit (Gainesville) until he returned to his hometown of Panama City to practice in the 14th Judicial Circuit, where he has worked as an Assistant State Attorney since 2004. During his career as a prosecutor, Greg's responsibilities included prosecuting all methamphetamine manufacturing, drug trafficking, and complex narcotic distribution cases in Bay, Washington, Jackson, Holmes, Gulf, and Calhoun counties. His extensive jury trial experience includes murder cases and numerous drug and DUI cases. Greg's career as a prosecutor led him to become the Holmes County Chief Assistant State Attorney, responsible for managing the Bonifay office and prosecuting all felony cases in Holmes County

    Florida doesn't play around when it comes to the offense of drinking and driving.  The punishment for a DUI is severe.  As defined in Florida Statute 316.193, a DUI is operating a motor vehicle while impaired with any of the following: a blood alcohol level of .08 or higher, a chemical substance, or a controlled substance.  The first DUI conviction carries stiff penalties; loss of license for one year, fines, community service hours and possible jail time.  If you are convicted on a second DUI within five (5) years of the first conviction the penalties are more extreme including a mandatory 10 day jail sentence.  If a third DUI occurs within ten (10) years of the two convictions there is a mandatory 30 day jail sentence along with other sanctions.  A fourth DUI is a felony which is punishable up to five years in prison.

Sentencing schedule for DUI's: 1st DUI: 2nd DUI 0 – 180 days in jail $250 - $500 fine 6 months to 1 year license suspension Business license after 30 days Interlock Device if court ordered Immobilization of vehicle for 10 days Community service hours 10 – 270 days in jail $500 - $1000 fine 1 year license suspension Interlock Device at least 1 year Immobilization of vehicle for 30 days Community service hours 2nd DUI within 5 years carries a mandatory minimum of 10 days in jail 3rd DUI: 4th DUI: (regardless date of prior convictions) 1 year in jail $1000 - $2500 fine Business license after 1 year Interlock Device for at least 2 years Community Service Hours 3rd DUI within 10 years minimum 30 days in jail with maximum of 5 years prison Up to 5 years prison Minimum $1000 fine License revoked permanently No business license at any time Community Service Hours

All these penalties are based on a blood alcohol level (BAC) of .08 or more but less than .20.  The penalties are harsher for BAC .20 or more.  Also if you refuse to submit to the breath test your license will be automatically suspended. A DUI involving an accident with property damage or injury to another person is a 1st degree misdemeanor punishable up to 1 year in jail and fines up to $1000. A person charged with three DUI's within 10 years, or a fourth DUI within their lifetime, can be charged with a 3rd degree felony punishable up to 5 years in prison.  A DUI accident involving serious bodily injury to someone else is a felony and punishable up to 5 years in prison and $5000 in fines. A DUI accident causing death is a 2nd degree felony punishable up to 15 years and $10,000 fine.  If a person leaves the scene causing death it is a 1st degree felony punishable up to 30 years in prison and fines up to $10,000. DUI Arrest Law enforcement may suspect that a person is driving under the influence if they display certain behaviors.  These behaviors are revealed through the person's driving and physical condition.  An officer may suspect that a person is operating a motor vehicle while intoxicated if they: make extremely close or wide turns run traffic lights stop for no reason nearly colliding with another vehicle are weaving between lanes When stopping a person under the suspicion of driving under the influence , the officer will typically examine the person to see if they: have an odor of alcohol on their breath are slurring their words have blood shot eyes have a slow reaction to verbal direction If these behaviors are evident, the officer may request that the person take an Intoxilyzer (breath), Blood Alcohol Concentration (BAC), or urine test.  If the person refuses to take these tests, their refusal can be used as evidence against them in court and also lead to harsher penalties if they are convicted.  DUI Penalties DUI convictions often result in harsh legal consequences.  If you are convicted of DUI, you may lose your license, have to spend time in jail, and/or pay large fines.  A DUI conviction can lead to devastating legal consequences, emotional turmoil, and disappointment from the offender's family and friends.  When a person is convicted of DUI, their life is subject to great restrictions and limitations.  If you have been arrested for DUI in Florida, it is in your best interest to speak with a criminal defense attorney immediately after your arrest.  The Law Office of Dowgul and Wilson has handled a multitude of DUI cases for clients throughout Panama City and surrounding areas.  We have the legal knowledge and experience it takes to help you fight your DUI charges.

CHALLENGING THE SUSPENSION OF YOUR LICENSE DID YOU KNOW THAT YOU CAN CHALLENGE THE SUSPENSION OF YOUR LICENSE?  You must do so within 10 DAYS from the date of your arrest.  Once the proper paperwork has been filed with the Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles a review hearing will be set.

Main Office 
222 East 4th Street
Panama City, FL  32401

Chipley Office 
729 East 2nd Street
Chipley, FL 32428 

Call Anytime
(850) 763-0900
(850) 763-0975 FAX

(866) 4-MY-FIGHT
(866) 469-3444

James R. Dowgul, Esq. 
 
 
James Dowgul began his legal career in the Public Defender's Office for the Twelfth Judicial Circuit in Sarasota, Florida. There, he practiced for over 2 years before the opportunity arose to return to his hometown in Bay County, where he took a position with the Public Defender's Office for the Fourteenth Judicial Circuit. James's passion for law and the direction of his legal career focuses on criminal law. James has extensive misdemeanor and felony trial experience. He has tried cases ranging from misdemeanors including DUI, battery, and drug related offenses to serious life felonies including attempted murder and vehicular homicide. James's undergraduate studies were at Florida State University where he was awarded his Bachelor's degree in Business. James's graduate studies took him to Oklahoma where he received his law degree from Oklahoma City University and met his wife, Kim, while working as an intern for the Oklahoma Supreme Court. In 2000, James furthered his legal studies and received a Master of Laws degree ( LL.M.) from Stetson University, and was admitted to the Florida Bar.

 
 
Wesley G. Hatcher, Jr., Esq. 
 
 
Wes Hatcher grew up in Mobile, Alabama where he lived until he left to attend the University of West Alabama in Livingston, Alabama.  He received his undergraduate degree in History and had the good fortune of meeting his wife Lani.  Wes also received a Master’s Degree in History from the University of West Alabama prior to receiving his Juris Doctor degree from Mississippi College School of Law in Jackson, Mississippi.  Wes clerked for multiple law firms and the Hinds County Public Defender’s Office.  Wes was admitted to the Florida Bar in 2006 and took a job with the Public Defender’s Office for the Fourteenth Judicial Circuit under Herman Laramore in Bay County where he worked prior to joining the firm of Dowgul & Wilson, in 2007. Wes has extensive experience in misdemeanor cases, handling thousands of cases, including DUI, Domestic Violence, Drug related charges and Traffic cases.  He also has experience in handling Felony cases ranging from Burglaries, Felony Assault and Battery, and Drug Charges.  Wes also handles a wide variety of Family Law cases including divorce and child custody.  Wes lives in Panama City with his beautiful wife and daughter, and is a member of the Bay County Bar Association and the Florida Association of Criminal Defense Attorneys.
 
 

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