Just this afternoon, we got some good news.  As many people know, I became one of the few lawyers nationally Board-Certified in DUI Defense by the National College for DUI Defense in 2008.  However, the Florida Bar has never recognized DUI Defense as a specialty different from general Criminal Defense.  

Until now.

Board Certification is the highest level of evaluation by The Florida Bar of a lawyer's competency and experience within an area of law, and professionalism and ethics in practice. More than 4,500 Florida lawyers are recognized as specialists in one or more of 24 certification areas.  And DUI Defense is very different from general criminal defense, with heavy concentration on forensic evidence, including physiology, biochemistry, infrared spectrometry, gas chromatography and drug/alcohol interactions.  In addition, there are the Drivers License implications of a DUI arrest and conviction.

In the past year, the Florida Bar Board of Legal Specialization and Education began the process of recognizing DUI Defense as a separate specialty.  In order to be recognized by the Florida Bar as a Board Certified expert in DUI Defense, candidates must pass the Board Certification Examination given annually by the NCDD, and also pass a Florida-specific examination.

In January, I flew out to Marina del Rey, California, to take the Florida-specific exam.  And we found out today that I had passed.  It will be a few months for paperwork to be done, but before long, I will be one of the first two lawyers in the State of Florida recognized by the Florida Bar as a Board-Certified Expert in DUI Defense.