If you have prior DUI convictions or hurt another person, you find yourself facing a felony DUI charge.
If you’ve been charged with Driving Under the Influence (DUI) in California, it will most likely be a misdemeanor offense. While it is still a serious charge, the potential consequences are not as severe as with felony cases. A felony DUI carries with it very serious penalties, including a significant jail sentence, heavy fines and a license suspension for up to several years. These devastating consequences make it all the more important that you know when you can be charged with a felony DUI in California. There are three situations in which you may be charged with a felony DUI: when you have a prior felony DUI conviction, when you have multiple prior DUI convictions or if you hurt another person while driving under the influence.
Past Felony DUI
If you are arrested for a DUI and have just one prior felony DUI, your DUI arrest will be charged as a felony. This is true no matter what the facts of the current case are: having a felony DUI on your record will result in any future DUI offenses being charged as felonies. This reality makes it incredibly important to have a skilled Newport Beach DUI lawyer if you are currently charged with a felony DUI. If your attorney can get these charges reduced or dismissed, then it will reduce the impact of a DUI conviction on your life.
Prior DUI Convictions
California places a high priority on stopping drunk driving — particularly when it comes to repeat offenders. That is why DUI charges get more and more severe with each offense, ultimately resulting in a felony charge if you have had three or more DUI convictions within the past 10 years. In determining how to charge you, the prosecutor will consider prior convictions for California DUIs, California “wet reckless” cases, and any out-of-state convictions that are the equivalent to a California DUI. If you have had three or more prior offenses in any of these three categories, then your current DUI will be charged as a felony.
Injury or Death to Another
A prosecutor may charge you with a felony DUI offense if you caused injury or death to another person because you were driving under the influence and either drove in a negligent manner or committed an additional vehicle code violation. If you hurt another person while driving under the influence, you can expect to be charged with a felony DUI. This can be charged as a DUI causing injury, DUI vehicular manslaughter, or DUI second-degree murder, depending on the particular facts of your case and your criminal history.
Any felony charge has the potential to have devastating consequences on your life. A felony DUI charge is no different: a conviction can not only result in jail time, but it can also negatively impact your ability to find a job, maintain insurance, or be licensed as a professional. Because of the serious nature of felony DUI charges, it is critical that you hire an aggressive, knowledgeable DUI lawyer who has specific experience in fighting felony DUI cases.
Attorney Dan E. Chambers has practiced in this field for years, and is highly skilled at handling felony DUI cases. If you have been charged with a felony DUI, he will put together the most effective possible defense for your case and minimize the impact of a felony DUI conviction on your life. As one of the preeminent Newport Beach DUI lawyers, he will fight to protect your legal rights and your freedom. Contact the Chambers Law Firm today at 714-760-4088 or dchambers@clfca.com to schedule a free initial consultation.
