At the Griffin Law Office, our San Diego DUI attorney, Patrick Griffin, represents clients throughout California who have been charged with driving under the influence at both misdemeanor and felony levels.
In either case, the consequences of a DUI conviction can significantly impact your future.
Our San Diego County DUI lawyer will review your case, and any circumstances that allow the charges to rise to the felony level, so you understand your legal rights and options from the start.
When Does a DUI Rise to a Felony Charge in California?
A DUI will typically only be charged as a felony when there are aggravating circumstances present.
A DUI may be charged as a felony if the individual were arrested and has at least three prior DUI convictions within the last ten years, including wet reckless convictions or out-of-state DUI convictions.
When you are arrested for a fourth DUI offense, California state prosecutors have the right to charge you with a misdemeanor or a felony.
The factors that may influence the decision include:
- Blood Alcohol Concentration
- Driving with a suspended license
- Harm or injury caused
If you have been convicted of felony DUI in the past, any future DUIs may also be charged at the felony level. Our skilled felony DUI defense attorney in San Diego will review your case and design a customized legal strategy for your unique needs.
What are the Penalties for Felony DUI in California?
The penalties for felony DUI convictions depend on the prosecutor’s case, including the mitigating factors that led to these serious charges.
Penalties for a felony DUI, based on multiple or prior DUI convictions, include:
- License Suspension: Four years
- Fines: $1,000
- DUI School: 30 months
- Imprisonment: 16 months to 3 years
Penalties for a felony DUI, based on the death or injury of another person, include:
- License Suspension: Five years
- Fines: $5,000
- DUI School: 30 months
- Imprisonment: 16 months to 16 years
Felony DUI convictions and their consequences create life-long obstacles, including a permanent criminal record that follows you to job interviews and may interfere with your ability to be hired
Our skilled San Diego criminal defense attorney represents clients in the following practice areas:
- Assault & Battery
- Domestic Violence
- Drug Crimes
- Driving Under the Influence
- Expungement
- Homicide
- White Collar & Fraud Crimes
- Juvenile Crimes
- Professional Licensing Defense
- Probation
- Sex Crime
- Federal
- Theft Crimes
Contact Our Leading DUI Attorney in San Diego Today
If you have been charged with a misdemeanor or felony DUI in California, contact our skilled San Diego criminal defense attorney to learn more about your legal rights and how we accomplish favorable outcomes for each of our client’s unique needs by calling 619-269-2131 to discuss the details of your case today.