If you’ve been arrested for a felony DUI, you’re probably afraid of the penalties you could suffer if convicted. A felony DUI can result in long-term imprisonment, significant fines, and permanent damage to your reputation, license, and future.
In situations like these, you must hire a skilled DUI lawyer from Downey to protect your best interests.
Los Angeles DUI Lawyer can connect you with an attorney who has the experience and resources required to fight your charges. With the right legal guidance, you may be able to challenge the charges you’re facing, push for reduced penalties, or benefit from alternative sentencing options.
What is a Felony DUI in California?
While most DUI charges in California are misdemeanors, a DUI can be charged as a felony under certain circumstances. According to the California Vehicle Code, you may be charged with a felony drunk driving offense if one of the following statements applies to your situation:
- You caused serious injury or death while driving under the influence
- You’ve been convicted of three or more DUIs within the past 10 years
- You already have a felony DUI on your record
- There was a child in the vehicle at the time of the arrest
Felony DUI charges carry much more severe penalties than misdemeanor charges. If you’ve been arrested for felony DUI, you should act quickly to protect your rights by hiring a knowledgeable Downey felony DUI lawyer. An attorney can spring into action, working hard to safeguard your rights and protect your future.
How a Downey Felony DUI Lawyer Can Help You
If you’ve been charged with a Felony DUI, you need to take your case seriously and hire a trusted lawyer. Having a skilled attorney by your side throughout the legal process will ensure your rights are protected and dramatically increase your chances of getting a favorable outcome.
Here’s what a felony DUI attorney from Downey will do to fight your charges and help you avoid the worst-case scenario:
- Examine police reports, blood alcohol content (BAC) test results, and witness statements
- Challenge improper arrest procedures if law enforcement officers violated your rights during the traffic stop
- Analyze blood and breath test results to determine if improper procedures or faulty testing equipment resulted in an inaccurate result
- Represent you during court and DMV hearings
- Negotiate with prosecutors to secure a plea deal or alternative sentencing
- Present a strong defense at trial
- Guide you through the entire process, keeping lines of communication open so you always know where you stand
It’s important to note that you have 10 days from the date of your arrest to request a DMV hearing to protect your license. If you don’t request a hearing and have an attorney to represent you during it, your license will likely be suspended, leaving you without convenient transportation.
Penalties You Could Face if Convicted of a Felony DUI
Felony DUI penalties can turn your life upside down, leaving you unable to work or provide for yourself and your family. Fortunately, a Downey felony DUI attorney can work hard to get your charges reduced to an offense that comes with less harsh consequences or help you explore less serious alternative sentencing options.
Hire an attorney soon to have the best chance possible at avoiding the following felony DUI penalties:
- State prison time
- Fines and fees totalling up to $10,000 or more
- Driver’s license revocation
- Designation as a convicted felon, which impacts job opportunities and many other aspects of your life
- Mandatory alcohol rehabilitation
- Installation of an ignition interlock device (IID) in your vehicle
These are just a few of the consequences you could suffer if convicted. Depending on the details of the incident, you may also be ordered to pay restitution to the injured parties. Reach out to a lawyer today to learn more about the penalties you’re facing and get the help you need to properly combat your charges.
Defense Strategies an Attorney Can Use To Fight Your Charges
To get a positive result from a felony DUI case, you’ll need an aggressive and strategic legal defense. An attorney can review all the details of your traffic stop and arrest to construct a compelling defense and combat the serious charges you’re facing. Depending on your unique situation, your lawyer may use any of the following defenses:
- The breath or blood test was not accurate due to improper calibration, incorrect administration, or faulty equipment
- The police didn’t have probable cause to pull you over
- Your blood alcohol was below the legal limit while you were driving and only rose to above the legal limit afterward
- The police violated constitutional rights during the traffic stop or arrest
Schedule a Free Consultation With a Felony DUI Lawyer From Downey
Facing a felony DUI can be one of the most stressful and confusing times in your life. If convicted, your career, finances, and even your freedom could be seriously impacted. To avoid the serious consequences that come with a felony drunk driving conviction, you’ll need to hire an experienced attorney.
The good news is that the team at Los Angeles DUI Lawyer can connect you with a lawyer who has a track record of success with cases like yours. With a Downey felony DUI lawyer working on your case, you’ll have the support and guidance you need to avoid a damaging outcome.
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