A felony DUI charge is serious and can leave you feeling uncertain about your future. You may be worried about losing your license, your freedom, or even your job. However, being charged doesn’t mean all hope is lost. A DUI felony lawyer in Torrance can take steps to reduce the impact of the charge and work toward a better outcome.
Los Angeles DUI Lawyer has helped thousands of clients like you connect with Torrance DUI lawyers who understand what you’re facing. There’s no cost to you, and getting started is easy. Let us help you move forward and start building your defense today.
When a DUI Becomes a Felony in California
Most DUI charges in California are misdemeanors. However, in certain situations, the charge can be raised to a felony, and the consequences become much more serious.
Here are the main reasons a DUI might be charged as a felony:
- Previous felony DUI conviction: If you’ve already been convicted of a felony DUI, any new DUI charge will also be filed as a felony, no matter the details.
- Injury or death: If you were involved in a crash while driving under the influence and someone was seriously hurt or killed, you could face a felony DUI charge.
- Multiple prior DUIs: If you’ve had three prior DUI convictions in the past 10 years, a fourth DUI is usually charged as a felony, even if there was no accident.
Felony DUI penalties are far tougher than those for a misdemeanor. You could face long-term jail time, higher fines, and stricter probation. If you’re dealing with this type of charge, you need strong legal help. Los Angeles DUI Lawyer can connect you with a trusted Torrance felony DUI attorney who will protect your rights.
Torrance Felony DUI Attorneys Can Build a Strong Defense
Being arrested for a felony DUI doesn’t automatically mean you’ll be convicted. There are several ways your lawyer can challenge the case and work to reduce or dismiss the charges.
Common defense strategies include:
- Unlawful traffic stop: Police officers must have a legal reason to stop your vehicle. If they didn’t, any evidence collected after the stop, like test results, may not be used in court.
- Faulty test results: Breath and blood tests can be unreliable. Your attorney can check whether the testing device was properly maintained, whether the test was given correctly, or whether medical issues may have affected the results.
- Lack of probable cause for arrest: If the officer didn’t have enough clear evidence to arrest you, that could be grounds to have the case thrown out.
- You didn‘t cause the crash: In DUI cases involving injuries or death, prosecutors must prove your actions caused the accident. If another driver, weather, or road conditions played a role, it could weaken the charges against you.
Each DUI case is different, and the right defense depends on the details. A Torrance felony DUI lawyer can review the facts and build the strongest case possible to protect your rights.
What Can Happen if You’re Convicted of a Felony DUI in California
Getting convicted of a felony DUI in California can lead to serious, lasting consequences. The exact penalties depend on your specific case, but here are some of the most common outcomes:
- Loss of your driver‘s license: A felony conviction usually means your license will be revoked for several years. If you’ve had other DUI convictions or your case involved injuries, the suspension period could be even longer.
- High fines and extra costs: Fines often range from $1,000 to $5,000. You may also need to pay court fees, restitution to victims, and costs for court-ordered DUI classes.
- State prison time: A felony DUI can lead to a prison sentence from 16 months up to 10 years. If someone was seriously injured or killed, the sentence could be much longer.
- Probation: Many felony DUI cases come with long probation periods. During that time, you may need to check in regularly, avoid alcohol and drugs, and follow strict court orders.
- DUI school: A court may order you to attend DUI education programs that last 18 to 30 months. These are mandatory and paid out of pocket.
Because the penalties for a felony DUI are so harsh, you should work with an experienced felony DUI attorney in Torrance. The long-term damage to your life, job, and freedom can be severe. A good lawyer helps you fight the charges or work toward a better outcome.
Factors That Can Make a Felony DUI Case More Serious
Some DUI cases come with circumstances that make the offense more dangerous in the eyes of the law. These “aggravating factors” can lead to tougher penalties if you’re convicted.
Here are some of the most common aggravating factors:
- Very high BAC: If your blood alcohol content was 0.15% or higher, it shows you were well above the legal limit. This can lead to more jail time, higher fines, and mandatory alcohol education programs.
- Driving on a suspended license: If your license was already suspended or revoked (especially due to a past DUI), getting caught driving again is seen as a serious offense. This can result in felony charges, a longer license revocation, and extra fines.
- Injuring or killing someone: If the DUI caused an accident that hurt or killed another person, the case becomes much more severe. Under California Vehicle Code § 23153, this can lead to felony charges, long prison sentences, and a lifelong criminal record.
- Driving with kids in the car: If you were pulled over for DUI with a child in the vehicle, that act could be charged as child endangerment. This often brings harsher penalties like bigger fines, required parenting classes, and possible jail time.
Each of these issues makes your case more complicated and serious. If any apply to your situation, get a DUI defense lawyer to start protecting your future.
Work With an Experienced Felony DUI Lawyer in Torrance
A felony DUI charge can seriously affect your life, but you don’t have to face it alone. Los Angeles DUI Lawyer can connect you with a local felony attorney who knows how to handle cases like yours.
Your lawyer will look closely at the facts, explore every defense option, and work to reduce the consequences you’re facing. Don’t wait; reach out to Los Angeles DUI Lawyer now to get connected with a Torrance felony DUI attorney who will stand up for you.
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