Felony DUI

Santa Rosa Felony DUI Lawyer

Is a DUI a Felony in California?

Most driving under the influence (DUI) arrests in California will constitute a misdemeanor criminal offense. There are circumstances, however, that can escalate this common charge to a felony, bringing with it increases penalties and higher stakes. The police and prosecutors are known to ramp up their tenacity for felony DUI cases alongside the increased penalties upon conviction. You must respond in turn and step up your defense with the help of our Santa Rosa felony DUI attorney from the Law Offices of Evan E. Zelig, P.C. We are fronted by Attorney Zelig, who has successfully handled thousands of client cases and has earned selection to Super Lawyers® Rising Stars℠.

Want to know more about our team or our felony DUI services? Contact us at (707) 418-5352 today.

What Constitutes a Felony DUI?

If the usual DUI charge in California is a misdemeanor, what needs to happen to escalate it up to a much-more-serious felony charge?

There are three distinct ways in California law that a DUI can constitute a felony:

Injury or Death (Physical Harm) - When an intoxicated motorist’s driving causes a car accident that leads to the serious injury or death of another person, the DUI will be charged as a felony. Establishing liability in such cases is critical for the validity of the charges. Reducing liability for the car accident may be able to reduce sentencing as well.
Fourth-Time DUI - California has a lookback period of 10 years for DUI convictions, meaning a DUI will stay active on your record for 10 years. If you are arrested for a DUI for the fourth-time within 10 years, it will automatically be charged as a felony, regardless of the circumstances of your previous DUI convictions.
Prior Felony DUI - Any prior felony DUI on your driving record, even if it exists outside California’s active lookback period, will cause your next DUI to be a felony no matter what the details of your arrest may be.

Contact the Law Offices of Evan E. Zelig, P.C. today at (707) 418-5352 and talk to our Santa Rosa felony DUI attorney about what you should do next.

How Sonoma County Penalizes Felony DUIs

California legislation penalizes felony DUI offenders quite harshly. The maximum penalties are frequently used in convictions, offering little leeway - it should be noted that it has been shown repeatedly through in-depth studies that higher penalties do not lead to reduced crime. If you want to avoid being hit with the full force of the law, you should allow our Santa Rosa felony DUI lawyers to stand between you and the judge’s gavel.

If you are convicted of a felony DUI, you could face punishment in the form of:

Up to $18,000 in fines and assessment fees
Up to 16 months in state prison, likely 6-month minimum
90-day impoundment of vehicle (with additional fees)
Four-year revocation of driver’s license (will require fees to reinstate)
Mandatory 30-month alcoholism treatment and prevention program

If your felony DUI charge involves the injury or death of another motorist, you must be aware that your conviction could also compound with penalties related to vehicular manslaughter and any other criminal charges. If you are convicted of one crime, it is likely you will be convicted of the others. Penalties will compound atop one another.

Set up a free consultation with our Santa Rosa felony DUI attorney to begin learning your legal options. Call (707) 418-5352 today!

Fight Your Felony DUI Charges – Call (707) 418-5352

Dismantling the prosecution’s case for a felony DUI accusation is an intricate, difficult process. Allow our Santa Rosa felony DUI lawyer be the one to help you through it. We understand the urgency of your situation but never allow the pressure to lead us to hasty decisions; we are professional, level-headed, and dedicated in every case we take.

With our firm’s assistance and legal counsel, you could have your charges reduced to a misdemeanor or dismissed entirely. No matter the force of the opposition, we do not rest until a satisfactory conclusion is met.

Get answers from a Santa Rosa felony DUI lawyer during a free case evaluation when you call (707) 418-5352!

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