Felony DUI cases are not more difficult to defend yet the consequences are more serious. For a first offense, unless it is a bad accident and a person has no prior history, it is rare for a person to go to jail. If a person has three, four, five, six, seven, or even eight prior DUI convictions, the Government may want to put the individual in prison because that is the only way they can protect the community.
It is the consequences of the crime that make it more serious rather than the charge itself being a felony or a misdemeanor. Felony DUI cases are more difficult to defend because of the consequences and possibly stiffer penalties that a person is looking at besides prison and a lifetime revocation of their driver’s license. It is emotionally more difficult, and it is definitely harder to keep the client out of jail or prison but other than that is the same. A distinguished felony DUI lawyer can help you protect your rights and reputation. Our team could help you mitigate West Palm Beach felony DUI penalties.
What are the Penalties for a Felony DUI?
Some of the most serious felony DUI charges in West Palm Beach may result in penalties including a maximum prison sentence of 15 years and an $10,000 fine. In these cases, there is typically the death of another person involved. However, if there are fewer aggravating factors these consequences might decrease. For example, a third DUI within ten years or a prior offense overall may result in 5 years in prison and a maximum fine of $5,000. An attorney from our firm in West Palm Beach could help someone mitigate these penalties depending on the facts of their felony DUI case, possible defenses as well as working on any mitigating factors that can be used in your favor.
How are the Consequences for a Felony Drunk Driving Charge Determined?
The penalties that a person in West Palm Beach may face for a felony drunk driving charge would depend upon the facts of the case and how many DUIs a person has and what type of time period they occurred in. If a person is guilty of a DUI, they are going to want to make sure that they get the minimum penalty for a DUI. The Government, the Prosecutor, and the Judge will make sure that they have received a substance abuse evaluation and completed any recommended treatment.
Felony DUI charges are treated seriously because a person is a repeat offender if they are in that situation and the Courts view them as a danger to the community and the Court’s job is to protect the community. It is going to be treated seriously and they are going to be looking for ways to protect the community whether that is making sure that they are getting help and behaving themselves and being tested and not using alcohol or using drugs and not driving if they are not supposed to be but also one might need to be punished because of their conduct.
Speak with a West Palm Beach Attorney About Felony DUI Penalties
As a part of a defense strategy, an attorney can bring in certain experts, records and documents, family members and employers, to show that the accused is a responsible and sober person within their community. The West Palm Beach felony DUI penalties can be severe, and it is the attorney’s job to try and get them as low as possible. It usually critical to contact an attorney immediately after your arrest or accusation to begin planning your defense and mitigate any consequences you may be facing.
