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The California Highway Patrol reports that over 125,000 DUI arrests are made in the Golden State each year. If you’re currently facing a DUI charge following a recent arrest, you might not know what to expect so you’ll want to speak to an experienced San Diego DUI defense attorney.
“Is a DUI a felony in California?” is one of the many questions to worry about when dealing with criminal charges and a possible DUI conviction. Gaining a better understanding of California DUI laws will guide you toward an answer. It will also help you determine which DUI penalties you might be forced to deal with in the coming months as you prepare to work closely with a DUI defense lawyer.
Learn the answer to the question, “Is a DUI a felony in California?” below.
A DUI Is Not Usually a Felony in California
The good news for those facing a DUI charge is that the answer to the question, “Is a DUI a felony in California?” is typically “no.” If you’re facing a DUI charge for the first, second, or even third time, you might not have to be concerned about it turning into a felony DUI charge.
That being said, you won’t escape DUI penalties, even if you’re only staring down your first DUI charge. A misdemeanor DUI charge can still come with up to six months in jail and a large fine. You will also likely have to live with much higher auto insurance rates for the foreseeable future.
You May Face a Felony DUI Charge in These Instances
More often than not, you won’t have to face a felony DUI charge when you’re arrested on drunk driving charges. However, there are specific instances in which a misdemeanor DUI could transform into a felony DUI.
Here are several situations that can cause this to happen:
- You’ve been convicted of a felony DUI charge in the past.
- You seriously injured or even killed someone during a DUI-related accident.
- You’ve now been charged with four DUIs in the last decade.
- You drove while intoxicated with a minor in your vehicle.
- You were driving with a suspended driver’s license stemming from a previous DUI charge.
If your blood alcohol level (BAC) was excessively high when you were pulled over and arrested for DUI, this could also cause a misdemeanor DUI charge to turn into a felony DUI charge. The answer to the question, “Is a DUI a felony in California?” depends on all the circumstances surrounding your case.
Hire a DUI Defense Lawyer To Provide Legal Representation for Your Case
If you’re ever arrested on a DUI charge, “Is a DUI a felony in California?” will be far from the only concern on your mind. You might also wonder what will happen during the legal proceedings associated with your arrest.
Hiring a DUI defense lawyer can help you navigate these proceedings. It might also help you avoid having a misdemeanor DUI charge elevated to a felony DUI charge.
It may even help you steer clear of a DUI conviction if you don’t believe you should have been arrested in the first place.
Give Us a Call If You’re Facing a DUI Charge in California
Facing a DUI charge in California can overwhelm you. It can also leave you with many unanswered questions like, “Is a DUI a felony in California?” The Law Office of Elliott Kanter can make facing a DUI charge easier. It might also put you in a better position to fight the charges filed against you.
Call us at 619-231-1883 or contact us online to discuss your criminal charges with our experienced legal team.
