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Miami Dade Felony DUI Attorneys

felony duiDriving under the influence is a crime in any state. First and foremost, our advice is simple: Do not drive any motor vehicle if you have been drinking. This is the only guaranteed way to be sure you will not be charged with a DUI. If you have consumed any alcohol, call a friend or call a rideshare service. That being said, if you drive after drinking and are stopped by law enforcement for suspicion of driving under the influence, call a attorney.

Generally speaking, a first offense is a misdemeanor; however, under certain conditions, a DUI is a felony in Florida. When facing felony DUI charges in South Florida, you may need a Miami-Dade felony DUI attorney who understands how to review the tests you were given and determine if they are reliable and were administered accurately. View our case results; there is no substitute for experience.

A Misdemeanor Turns Into a Felony DUI When:

  • This is your third DUI within 10 years of your second DUI
  • This is your fourth DUI
  • You were responsible for an incident causing serious bodily injury
  • You were responsible for an incident causing property damage
  • Someone died due to your alleged DUI
  • You left the scene of an accident you caused
  • There was a child in the vehicle you were driving

Florida Has Harsh Penalties for Felony Offenders

In Florida, a felony DUI will remain on your record for 75 years. You cannot expunge or seal your record, and may a conviction may subject you to costly monetary penalties and lengthy prison sentences. These include:

Third DUI

  • Up to $5,000 in fines
  • Up to five years in state prison and/or 5 years of probation
  • A minimum 10-year revocation of driver’s license

Fourth DUI

  • Up to $5,000 in fines
  • Up to five years in state prison and/or five years of probation
  • Mandatory permanent revocation of driver’s license

DUI Causing Serious Bodily Injury

  • Up to $5,000 in fines
  • Up to five years in state prison and/or 5 years of probation
  • Possible restitution to the victim(s)
  • Minimum three-year suspension or revocation of driver’s license

DUI Manslaughter

  • Up to $10,000 in fines
  • Up to 15 years in state prison
  • Minimum 3-year revocation up to permanent revocation of driver’s license

DUI Manslaughter With Leaving the Scene

  • Up to $10,000 in fines
  • Up to 30 years in state prison
  • Permanent revocation of driver’s license

If you are coming close to facing some of the most costly DUI penalties in the United States, you can trust the dedicated legal staff at Meldon Law to take an aggressive stance in your defense. We can review all the circumstances surrounding your arrest and leverage our collective experience to minimize potentially damaging effects. We can handle all facets of a DUI case, including:

  • Initial traffic stop
  • Field sobriety tests
  • Breath testing devices
  • Police misconduct
  • Constitutional violations

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Florida DUI Laws Are Complicated

There are time limits and statutes of limitations to consider in seeking not-guilty verdicts, dismissals, or plea bargains in felony charges. Every case is different, and we can investigate every case thoroughly. We know there’s no time to waste. By getting to work immediately in the first few days following an arrest, we gain a leg up towards defeating the charges.

We leave no stone unturned as we focus on:

  • The procedures used by arresting officers(s)
  • The validity and accuracy of any testing methods used
  • The maintenance of testing equipment
  • The documented training that was given to the testers

You are innocent until proven otherwise, and you have an absolute right to assert a defense that can make it difficult for the prosecution to establish your guilt beyond a reasonable doubt. Some things that can help to explain or excuse your alleged behavior and improve your case include:

  • You were not under the influence of drugs or alcohol
  • There are inaccuracies in the chemical testing
  • Police improperly administered field sobriety tests
  • You were not operating a motor vehicle
  • There was no probable cause to pull you over
  • Challenges to prior convictions to reduce the number of offenses counted towards sentencing

Felony DUI Convictions Can Have Lifetime Consequences

Some long-term collateral consequences of a DUI conviction include:

  • Revocation of driver’s license
  • A felony DUI will appear on a background check
  • Inability to secure a job in fields such as healthcare, education, and government
  • Inability to secure a job that requires the use of vehicles or heavy machinery
  • Increased auto insurance rates
  • Standing in the community may be tarnished
  • Loss of gun ownership rights
  • Temporary loss of your right to vote
  • Difficulty renting a home or apartment
  • Limitations, restrictions, or refusal of professional licenses
  • Ignition interlock device
  • Limitations on child custody and/or visitation right
  • Inability to participate in government welfare programs

Call Our Miami-Dade Felony DUI Attorney to Defend Your Rights

In the judicial system, as well as in the courts of public opinion, you have the right to defend yourself against any criminal charges. If you have been charged with a felony DUI in South Florida, the litigators at Meldon Law can help. Call us today at 800-373-8000, or contact Meldon Law online, to schedule a free consultation to discuss the particulars of your case.

This is a sensitive area of criminal law, one that often uses subjective criteria for decisions that can impact an individual or a family for a lifetime. At Meldon law, our team of attorneys has four decades of experience defending against felony DUI charges. We understand how the legal system works, and how to present a clear and convincing case to a jury. Your future may be at stake: act responsibly, and act quickly.