Is a DUI a Felony in California?
California takes driving laws seriously, and a felony DUI charge can impact the rest of your life in every way. While many DUI cases start as misdemeanors, situations like multiple prior convictions, accidents involving injuries, or a significantly elevated blood alcohol level can turn your case into a felony with extensive consequences. It’s not just about legal trouble; your license, career, and reputation could all be on the line.
If you’re dealing with a felony DUI in Santa Clarita, Lias Law Firm is here to provide straightforward guidance and real actionable support. With smart strategies and genuine care, we’ll help you navigate the legal process and fight for your future. Contact Lias Law Firm today for representation and legal guidance that has integrity and skill to seek hopeful impacts on your future.
What Constitutes Felony DUI?
A DUI in California can quickly escalate from a misdemeanor to a felony when certain serious factors are involved. What sets a felony DUI apart is the presence of aggravating circumstances, such as repeat offenses or harm caused to others. A DUI may be charged as a felony for several reasons, including:
- Having three or more prior DUI convictions within the last ten years
- A previous felony DUI conviction on your record
- Causing injury or death to another person while driving under the influence
- Having an exceptionally high blood alcohol concentration (BAC)
- Engaging in reckless driving or other dangerous behavior while impaired
When a DUI is charged as a felony, the consequences are on a different level. You could be facing extended jail or prison time, lengthy driver’s license suspension or revocation, hefty fines, mandatory installation of an ignition interlock device, and years of felony status on your record. These outcomes go beyond the courtroom; they can make it difficult to find or keep a job, limit your housing options, and even strain personal relationships.
Common Types of Felony DUI
Knowing exactly what you're up against can make a meaningful difference in preparing your defense and taking the right steps early on. Common types of felony DUI charges in California include:
- DUI Causing Injury: Being involved in an accident while under the influence that leads to another person being injured, even if the injuries are minor.
- Fourth DUI Offense: Receiving a fourth DUI conviction within a ten-year period, regardless of whether anyone is hurt.
- DUI Involving a Fatality: A DUI incident that results in a death, which can also involve additional charges such as vehicular manslaughter.
- Very High BAC: Driving with an exceptionally high blood alcohol concentration, which can lead to enhanced felony charges.
- Prior Felony DUI: Getting arrested for DUI when you already have a previous felony DUI conviction on your record.
Facing one of these charges means you are at risk for life-changing penalties. Because each situation carries severe risks and long-term consequences, it’s vital to have knowledgeable legal support in your corner. An experienced criminal defense attorney can help you understand your charges, advocate for your rights, and build the strongest defense possible
Felony DUI in California Punishment & Sentencing Guidelines
If you’re facing felony DUI charges in California, you should be prepared for serious penalties that can reshape your life. From the moment you’re charged, prosecutors take these offenses seriously, pushing for tough sentences meant to deter repeat offenses. The court process can move quickly, and a conviction brings harsh, wide-ranging consequences. Here’s a breakdown of what you may be up against:
- State Prison Time: Sentences range from 16 months to 3 years for standard felony DUI, with longer terms possible if there is great bodily injury or a death involved.
- Fines: Expect fines between $1,015 and $5,000, plus additional court assessments that can significantly increase the total cost.
- Driver’s License Suspension/Revocation: Mandatory suspension for up to 4 years, or permanent revocation for especially severe cases.
- Probation: Formal, supervised probation for 3 to 5 years is often ordered by the court.
- Ignition Interlock Device: Required installation in your vehicle as a condition to regain driving privileges.
- Alcohol Education & Treatment: Mandatory completion of DUI school and/or treatment programs as directed by the court.
While these punishments are steep and the effects can extend well beyond the courtroom, the legal system does allow for some recourse. Sentencing alternatives may also be available depending on your circumstances, such as rehabilitation or work programs. Depending on the circumstances of your case, sentencing alternatives like rehabilitation, work programs, or reduced charges might be available. With Lias Law Firm in your corner, you can fight not just for a fair process, but for an alternative that can have minimal impact on your life.
Can a Felony DUI Be Reduced to a Misdemeanor?
In some cases, a felony DUI charge in California can be reduced to a misdemeanor, but the path isn’t simple, and the likelihood depends on the facts of your case. Reduction is usually possible when the aggravating factors are minimal, or if evidence issues arise that weaken the prosecution’s case. This process often involves legal motions, plea negotiations, or demonstrating that a lesser charge better fits the situation. While it’s a hopeful prospect, it isn’t guaranteed; judges are strict, and prosecutors often push for harsher penalties, especially when public safety is concerned. However, with Lias Law Firm leading the way, there is the potential to argue for reduced charges, giving you a real chance at mitigating the lifelong impact of a felony conviction by reducing a felony DUI to a misdemeanor.
Can a Felony DUI Be Expunged?
Expunging a felony DUI from your record in California is possible in limited circumstances, but the process can be challenging. To be eligible, you must typically complete your probation and satisfy all court-ordered requirements, and your conviction must not have resulted in a state prison sentence. Even if your record is expunged, certain consequences may persist, such as the charge remaining visible to law enforcement and affecting future DUI penalties. The expungement process involves filing a petition with the court and demonstrating your rehabilitation.
While it doesn't erase every impact of a felony DUI, it can open up employment and housing opportunities, offering a measure of relief as you work to move forward. Anyone interested in clearing their record should consult a knowledgeable felony DUI attorney to determine if expungement is a realistic option in their case.
How a Felony DUI Attorney in Santa Clarita Can Help You
If you are facing felony DUI charges, Lias Law Firm is the advocate you want in your corner. Our team is driven by the belief that justice doesn’t always mean jail time, and we fight tirelessly to secure outcomes that let clients rebuild their lives without unnecessary penalties. With a proven record in defending felony DUI cases, we dig deep into every aspect of your situation, challenging evidence, advocating for your rights, and pursuing strategies that can result in reduced charges or even case dismissals. At Lias Law Firm, we are committed to keeping you fully informed, supported, and empowered throughout the legal process, and our goal is always to minimize the impact on your record, your family, and your future. Contact us today to get started.
