A drinking and driving incident can easily, and quite literally, spin out of control. The penalties for a standard DUI are harsh enough, but aggravating circumstances can raise the stakes even higher. Suddenly you’re facing a felony which could result in a lengthy state prison sentence. A conviction would turn your life upside-down, ruin your career and devastate your family. This is when you need the aggressive defense team at Largey Law. Our determined attorneys have the knowledge and experience to challenge the prosecution’s case. We thoroughly investigate the facts of your arrest and assemble every shred of evidence that we can use to cast doubt upon the charges against you. When your future is in the balance, trust our Mount Dora felony DUI lawyers.
What Results in a Felony DUI Charge?
Under Florida law a first time DUI — and even a second — is usually tried as a misdemeanor. Any more than that results in felony charges:
- Third DUI — If the violation occurs within 10 years of a prior conviction, it is a felony of the third degree, punishable by up to five years in state prison. When the convicted driver is released from prison, and qualifies again for a license, the law requires an ignition interlock device installed on any car the driver owns or leases for two years.
- Fourth and subsequent DUI — Regardless of how much time has elapsed since the last prior conviction, a fourth DUI is a felony of the third degree, punishable by up to five years in state prison and a fine of at least $2,000.
Defense to a repeat DUI requires an aggressive challenge to the police procedures related to the traffic stop, the arrest and the processing of forensic evidence. Thankfully, a skilled attorney in Mount Dora could implement an extensive playbook of DUI defense strategies for felony charges.
Bodily Injury, Wrongful Death, and Felony DUI
Even a first time DUI can be a felony if the intoxicated driver causes or contributes to an accident that injures or kills a person. Penalties for DUIs that cause accidents include:
- Property damage and/or personal injury that is not regarded as serious — A misdemeanor of the first
- Serious bodily injury to another — A felony of the third degree, punishable with up to five years in state prison
- The death of any human being or unborn child — Constitutes DUI manslaughter, which is either:
- A felony of the second degree, punishable by up to 15 years in state prison
- A felony of the first degree, punishable by up to 30 years in state prison, if the driver knew an injury had occurred and failed to render aid as required by law.
Under these circumstances, a felony DUI defense requires proof that the driver was not intoxicated or that the driver was not at fault in any way for the accident. Our resourceful lawyers in Mount Dora examine all the pertinent facts and consult with qualified accident reconstruction experts to assemble the evidence necessary to refute a felony DUI charge.
Learn More with a Mount Dora Felony DUI Attorney
Don’t hire a traffic ticket lawyer to defend a felony DUI! You need the experienced and aggressive defense representation you get from the former public defenders at Largey Law. Contact our dedicated Mount Dora felony DUI lawyers to get started with protecting your integrity as a licensed driver. You can call our firm or reach out to us online to schedule your free initial consultation.
