Felony DUI in California: When a DUI Becomes a Felony

In the majority of cases, a DUI charge is considered a misdemeanor, which means you could be ordered to serve up to one year in custody. However, in certain more severe instances, a DUI could be charged as a felony, which means you could face multiple years in prison, even larger fines, and potentially lifelong consequences.

When you are facing felony DUI charges, you need to seek assistance from a Southern California DUI lawyer as soon as possible. Attorney Kellee Parker Harris from Parker Law Center has extensive experience representing numerous clients on felony DUI charges. She has fought tirelessly to preserve her clients’ rights and to obtain the best possible outcomes. Attorney Parker and her legal team understand the seriousness and severity of the penalties associated with a DUI conviction. This is why Attorney Parker gives your case personalized attention every step of the way to ensure the best results.

Three Ways Your DUI Can Be Escalated to a Felony

A DUI charge must contain “aggravating factors” in order to be escalated to a felony. It is possible for even a first-time offender to be charged with a felony DUI, so it is vital to retain the assistance of a skilled DUI attorney. If you have been arrested for DUI and you are unsure of whether or not you are going to be charged with a misdemeanor or felony offense Attorney Parker can let you know the likelihood of the charges and potential outcomes. Understanding the seriousness of the charges and likely outcome can help ease the fears associated with your pending case.

Here are three ways your DUI charges could be escalated to a felony:

• If your involvement resulted in an accident which caused bodily injury or death to another
• If you have three or more prior DUI or “wet reckless” convictions within the past 10 years
• If you have at least one prior felony DUI conviction

It is important to note that a DUI with injury is considered a “wobbler” which means the offense can be charged as either a misdemeanor or a felony. The charging deputy with the prosecutor’s office will review the officer’s arrest recommendation and decide how to file the charges. If the prosecutor’s office alleges great bodily injury then a conviction of these charges would result in a “strike” on your record. If your case is filed as a felony you will want a skilled felony DUI defense attorney to advocate for the dismissal or reduction of charges. A felony DUI with injury charge may be able to be negotiated down to a number of other charges including a straight misdemeanor DUI without the injury allegation.

Being charged with a felony DUI is serious as it can result in you spending multiple years in state prison. You cannot simply plead guilty to these charges. It is crucial you contact a seasoned DUI attorney to review your charges and determine your best possible defense. A fierce advocate is needed to ensure your rights and freedoms are being protected.

Contact Parker Law Center now at (800) 805-8804 to start reviewing your options!