Felony DUI

You should never take a DUI charge lightly, especially if it is considered a felony.

Even a single DUI is not a light matter. Most DUI offenses are considered misdemeanor offenses, and the resulting misdemeanor charges can have a serious impact on your life. You can imagine how severe the penalties for a felony DUI charge would be in terms of jail time, fines, and the impact it can have on all aspects of your life. Multiple DUIs or serious charges from a DUI can lead to a felony conviction.

Georgia takes a very strict stance on DUI enforcement because of the danger posed by drunk driving. That's why you need an expert DUI attorney if you have been charged with Felony DUI.

Our legal team has years of experience representing clients charged with driving under the influence, and we would be happy to talk with you about your case. Just make an appointment with one of our experienced DUI defense attorneys for a free consultation.

There are a number of ways that a DUI can be elevated from a misdemeanor to a felony. You can be charged with Felony DUI if you are arrested for DUI and:

• A passenger or other driver died or suffered severe injury by vehicle.
• You have been declared a Habitual Violator (that is, you have three DUI convictions or serious traffic offenses in a period of five years)
• You were fleeing the scene of an accident
• There are children under 14 in the car with you
• You were speeding excessively
• You were evading or attempting to evade law enforcement
• You are driving a school bus. Note that Georgia law does not require minors to have been in the bus at the time of conviction.

If you are convicted of a felony DUI, you will be subject to much more severe legal consequences than you would with a misdemeanor DUI. The consequences of a felony DUI conviction typically include:

• Minimum $1,000.00 and maximum $5,000.00 fine, plus court surcharges. (Judge can suspend half the fine if you undergo a court-approved alcohol and drug treatment program)
• Up to five years in jail and a minimum of one year in jail. (All but 90 days can be probated.)
• 60 days of community service. (This can be suspended if you are sentenced to serve three or more years in jail.)
• Enrollment in DUI school
• Clinical evaluation
• Any recommended substance abuse treatment
• Indefinite license suspension. Upon license restoration, an ignition interlock device will be installed on your vehicle for a minimum of one year.

A felony DUI conviction involving the death or serious bodily injury of one or more people will result in a longer, harsher sentence. There are also additional penalties if children are involved.

• Serious injury – one to fifteen years in jail, per person injured.
• Wrongful death – three to fifteen years, per person killed. If the DUI results in the death of a fetus, the sentence is one to fifteen years
• DUI with children in the car – An additional DUI conviction per child in the car as the time of arrest.

If you have been designated a habitual violator, and you kill or seriously injure one or more people while driving under the influence, the penalties are much harsher. You will be facing a minimum of five and a maximum of twenty years per person killed or seriously injured.

If you have been arrested for DUI, then you need expert help, especially if you are facing Felony DUI charges. Contact our law office today for a free consultation. Our experienced DUI lawyers can help you fight your charges and get the best outcome for your DUI case.