DUI Arrest Process in Manatee County
After a DUI arrest in Manatee County you are booked at the Manatee County Central Jail in Palmetto, held until you are sober enough to release, and given a court date at the Manatee County Judicial Center in Bradenton. A separate license case starts the same night: you have 10 days from the date on the notice of suspension to ask the State to review it. This page walks through each step in order.
Daniel D. Nawara is a former Assistant State Attorney in the Twelfth Judicial Circuit, which includes Manatee County. His flat fee for a DUI includes the administrative license hearing. Call or text (941) 920-5514, 24/7, or request a free consultation.
Step by step
The stop. An officer needs a lawful reason to stop you, such as a traffic violation, a crash or a welfare check on a parked car. The reason for the stop is the first thing a defense reviews.
The roadside investigation. The officer notes odor, speech and eyes, asks where you have been, and may ask you to do field sobriety exercises. The exercises are voluntary. Most of this is recorded on body camera.
The arrest. If the officer believes there is probable cause, you are handcuffed and your vehicle is usually towed.
The breath test. After the arrest you are asked for a breath sample on an Intoxilyzer 8000, following a 20-minute observation period. If the officer suspects drugs, you may also be asked for urine. Since October 1, 2025, a first refusal is a second-degree misdemeanor in addition to a 1-year administrative suspension. See refusing a breath test.
Booking. People arrested in the county are taken to the Manatee County Central Jail, 14470 Harlee Road, Palmetto. Intake includes property, medical screening, fingerprints and photographs.
The hold. Under section 316.193(9), a person arrested for DUI is not released until they are no longer under the influence, their breath alcohol level is below 0.05, or 8 hours have passed since the arrest.
Bond or first appearance. Many people post bond after the hold. Anyone who does not bond out routinely sees a judge within 24 hours, who explains the charge and sets release conditions.
The license paperwork. If you tested 0.08 or higher or refused, the officer takes your Florida license and gives you a notice of suspension. If you are otherwise eligible, that notice is a 10-day temporary permit.
Arraignment. The Clerk sets an arraignment at the Judicial Center, 1051 Manatee Ave. W., Bradenton. When a lawyer files a notice of appearance and a written not-guilty plea beforehand, you usually do not have to attend.
Pretrial. The defense receives the State's evidence, reviews the video and testing records, files any motions, and the case moves toward a negotiated result or a trial.
The first 10 days
The criminal case moves slowly at first. The license case does not. Within 10 days of the notice you must either request a formal or informal review of the suspension, or, if you have no prior DUI-related suspension or conviction, request a review of eligibility for a restricted business-purposes license, which waives the review. Missing the deadline leaves the full suspension in place: 6 months at 0.08 or higher, 1 year for a first refusal. Compare the choices in the 10-day rule, formal review hearing and hardship license guides.
Which agency has your evidence
The arresting agency holds the reports, video and breath-test records. In Manatee County that may be the Bradenton Police Department, the Manatee County Sheriff's Office, Palmetto, Holmes Beach, Bradenton Beach or Longboat Key police, or the Florida Highway Patrol's Troop F. Your citation names the agency.
What to do in the first week
Write down everything you remember, from where you were before driving to what the officer said, while it is fresh.
Keep every paper you were given: citation, notice of suspension, bond receipt, tow slip and property sheet.
Save receipts, texts and the names of anyone who was with you. Do not delete anything.
Do not post about the arrest or discuss it with anyone but your lawyer.
Get your car out of the tow yard promptly, because storage fees add up daily.
For a checklist version, see what to do after a DUI arrest in Manatee County.
Frequently asked questions
How long will I be in jail after a DUI arrest in Manatee County?
At least until you meet the release rule: no longer impaired, below 0.05, or 8 hours after arrest. After that it depends on how quickly bond is posted.
Do I have to go to my arraignment?
Follow your notice unless your lawyer tells you otherwise. In most misdemeanor DUI cases a lawyer can enter a written plea and appear for you at routine hearings.
Can I drive after my arrest?
For 10 days, if your notice of suspension works as a temporary permit and your license was otherwise valid. After that you need a restricted license or a successful review.
Should I plead guilty at first appearance to get it over with?
Think carefully. A DUI conviction cannot be withheld, sealed or expunged in Florida, and you will not have seen the evidence yet.
When will I find out what evidence the State has?
After your lawyer files a notice of discovery, the State must turn over reports, video and testing records. How long that takes varies by case and agency.
How long does a DUI case take in Manatee County?
It depends on the evidence and the court's calendar. Cases with motions, blood evidence or a trial take longer than cases resolved at an early pretrial conference.
Speak with a DUI lawyer serving Bradenton
Call or text (941) 920-5514, available 24/7, or request a free consultation. Bring your citation, notice of suspension, bond paperwork and any court notices. For the charge itself, see Bradenton DUI lawyer and first DUI in Bradenton. For Sarasota County, see the Sarasota arrest process.
Reviewed by Daniel D. Nawara, Florida Bar No. 123626. Updated October 2026. General information only, not legal advice. Court procedures can change; your notice and orders control. No outcome is guaranteed. Contacting the firm does not by itself create an attorney-client relationship.
Sources: Fla. Stat. § 316.193, § 316.1932, § 316.1939, § 316.656, § 322.2615, § 322.271; Ch. 2025-121; Manatee County Judicial Center; Manatee Sheriff jail and first appearance information; FDLE rule 11D-8.