Gainesville Felony DUI Attorneys
Any type of DUI charge has the potential to change the rest of your life, but a felony DUI is particularly serious. If you are convicted of a felony DUI, you will face lengthy jail times and have to pay a high fine. Worse, you will have a criminal record that will follow you for several years to come. You may find it difficult to find employment opportunities, and even housing. To avoid these penalties, it is important to speak to a Gainesville felony DUI attorney.
Our Attorney Knows the Types of Felony DUIs in Gainesville
There are two types of felony DUIs a person may face. These are as follows:
- Repeat offenders: Anyone convicted of a third DUI offense within ten years, or a fourth DUI offense, will be charged with a third-degree felony.
- DUI with serious bodily injury: Anyone that causes serious bodily injury as a result of driving under the influence will also be charged with a third-degree felony.
- Habitual traffic or violent offender: Individuals that are considered a habitual traffic or violent offender based on their criminal history may face third-degree felony DUI charges if caught driving while impaired.
The penalties for a third-degree felony include a maximum $5,000 fine and up to five years in prison.
Our Attorney Explains Felony DUIs Resulting in Death
Any time someone is killed as a result of another person’s drunk driving, it can result in a felony charge. The most common of these charges include:
- Florida DUI manslaughter: A second-degree felony, this offense carries a penalty of up to 15 years in prison and a maximum fine of $10,000.
- Vehicular homicide: This charge is also a second-degree felony that carries the above penalties.
- DUI manslaughter involving leaving the scene: Drivers that were aware, or that should have been aware, that an accident occurred and did not stop or render aid may face first-degree felony charges. This offense carries a penalty of a maximum fine of $10,000 and a maximum of 30 years in prison.
The above charges are very serious and if convicted, it could affect you for the rest of your life. Fortunately, there are defenses to these charges.
Our Attorney Can Provide a Felony DUI Defense
A charge for a felony DUI is not the same thing as a conviction. It is important to speak to a defense attorney that can provide you with a strong defense, which may include the following:
- Challenging field sobriety test results
- Challenging the procedures used by the officer
- Improper chemical testing
- Insufficient evidence
- Failure to read Miranda rights
- Traffic stop was illegal
Call Our Gainesville Felony DUI Attorney for a Free Consultation
A felony DUI conviction will come with serious consequences, but it is possible to avoid them. At Meldon Law, our experienced Gainesville felony DUI attorney can prepare a solid defense for your case to give you the best chance of beating the charges. Call us today or contact us online to schedule a free consultation.
