First-Time DUI Diversion in the 13th Judicial Circuit
For more than 50 years, Carlson, Meissner & Hayslett has represented individuals facing DUI charges throughout Hillsborough County. Our attorneys are deeply familiar with the local courts, prosecutors, and diversion programs administered by the 13th Judicial Circuit, including the Tampa RIDR DUI Program. That local experience matters even more when early decisions can permanently affect your criminal record, driver’s license, and future.
If you’ve been arrested for a first-time DUI, you may be hearing about something called the RIDR Program. For many first-time offenders, RIDR can be a powerful way to resolve a DUI case without a DUI conviction.
But RIDR is not automatic, and it is not always the best result.
This page explains how the RIDR DUI Program works, who qualifies, and how our DUI defense team evaluates whether RIDR is truly the right option for your specific case.
What Is the RIDR DUI Program?
RIDR stands for Reducing Impaired Driving Recidivism. It is a DUI diversion program offered by the State Attorney’s Office for the 13th Judicial Circuit, which prosecutes DUI cases arising throughout Hillsborough County (Office of the State Attorney, 13th Judicial Circuit).
When successfully completed, RIDR allows eligible defendants to resolve a DUI case as a reduced charge of Reckless Driving, often with a withhold of adjudication; meaning, no DUI conviction on your criminal record under Florida law (Florida Statutes § 948.01).
RIDR is designed for non-aggravated, first-time DUI cases handled in Hillsborough County courts.
Who Is Eligible for RIDR in Hillsborough County?
Eligibility is determined by the State Attorney’s Office and depends heavily on the facts of the case. In general, RIDR is limited to defendants who meet the following criteria:
- First-time DUI arrest
- Misdemeanor DUI only
- No crash involving injury or property damage
- No minor passenger in the vehicle
- Blood alcohol level below .20
- No prior DUI, DUI diversion, or alcohol-related reckless driving
- No recent felony adjudications or withholds
Even if a person appears eligible on paper, how and when RIDR is pursued matters. Early missteps can foreclose better outcomes.
What Does the RIDR Program Require?
RIDR is a front-loaded diversion program, meaning most conditions must be completed before the case is formally resolved.
Common RIDR requirements include:
- DUI School
- MADD Victim Impact Panel
- Community service hours
- Alcohol monitoring or ignition interlock device
- Remaining arrest-free
- Waiver of speedy trial to allow a disposition window (typically about 60 days)
These requirements are governed by Florida DUI statutes and administrative rules (Florida Statutes § 316.193 | Florida DHSMV – DUI Programs).
This process must be handled carefully. Completing the wrong steps, or completing them too early, can sometimes harm a case rather than help it.
Important: RIDR Is not Always the Best Outcome
This is one of the most important things a first-time DUI client needs to understand:
RIDR is not always the best result available.
There are cases where entering RIDR too quickly can limit better options, including situations involving:
- Weak or unlawful traffic stops
- Questionable breath, blood, or urine testing procedures
- Medical conditions affecting field sobriety exercises
- Constitutional or evidentiary suppression issues
- Cases that may be dismissed or reduced further through litigation
Our firm does not automatically push clients into RIDR. We evaluate whether RIDR is appropriate, or whether waiting and litigating produce a better outcome under Florida law and local practice.
Sometimes RIDR is the right move.
Sometimes we can achieve better than RIDR.
Our Experience With RIDR in Hillsborough County
Since the RIDR program was implemented, Carlson, Meissner & Hayslett has:
- Represented thousands of first-time DUI clients in Hillsborough County
- Successfully guided eligible clients through RIDR dispositions
- Negotiated DUI reductions to Reckless Driving
- Completed probationary terms without incident
- Returned to court to seal or expunge records when legally available
(Florida Statutes § 943.059)
Reducing the charge is only part of the job. Protecting your long-term record is where experienced DUI representation makes the greatest difference.
What Is the Final Outcome of a Successful RIDR Case?
When RIDR is appropriate and completed correctly, results often include:
- DUI reduced to Reckless Driving
- Withhold of adjudication
- Standard probation (often 12 months)
- No DUI conviction
- Eligibility to seal the record after completion
Under Florida law, a DUI conviction cannot be sealed, making this distinction critical
(Florida Department of Law Enforcement – Record Sealing).
Why DUI Experience Matters
RIDR decisions are made early and depend heavily on how the case is presented. Prosecutors consider:
- Case facts and police reports
- Test results or refusals
- Early compliance posture
- Defense strategy
- Prior record history
Working with a firm that regularly handles DUI cases in Hillsborough County courts ensures these decisions are made with insight, not guesswork.
OFFICES THROUGHOUT TAMPA BAY
While this blog focuses on Hillsborough County RIDR cases, Carlson, Meissner & Hayslett also maintains offices throughout the region, including:
- Pinellas County
- Pasco County
Our attorneys routinely handle DUI cases across the region, with a strong focus on DUI diversion and defense in Hillsborough County.
The Bottom Line
Tampa RIDR DUI Program – Hillsborough County, Florida, decisions should never be automatic.
If you’re facing a first-time DUI in the 13th Judicial Circuit, the right approach is simple:
- Evaluate the case first
- Choose the best resolution second
Sometimes that resolution is RIDR; sometimes, it’s better.
With more than five decades of service, deep roots in the area, and extensive experience handling RIDR and DUI cases in Hillsborough County, Carlson, Meissner & Hayslett is well-positioned to help you determine the smartest path forward.
Contact us today to schedule a confidential consultation and get clear guidance from attorneys who understand the Tampa RIDR DUI Program—and how to protect your future.
