Atlanta Felony DUI Lawyer

A first DUI conviction is typically a misdemeanor, but multiple offenses within a 10-year period can result in felony charges. Felonies carry significantly harsher penalties than misdemeanors.

If you are facing this type of charge, get in touch with an Atlanta felony DUI lawyer who can explain the charges in depth, provide legal guidance, and be your advocate in court. An experienced DUI attorney could help you protect your rights and your future.

Felony DUI Facts

In our state, a DUI becomes a felony if it meets one or more of the following:

• The DUI caused someone serious injury or death
• The DUI occurred while the driver was operating a school bus
• The DUI occurred with someone under 14 years old in the vehicle
• The DUI occurred after the driver was declared a habitual violator
• It is the fourth DUI within a 10-year period, which is based on the times of the arrest, not the conviction

If you have questions about any of these felony DUI facts, contact an Atlanta lawyer. We have 24/7 free consultations.

Penalties for a Fourth-Time DUI

The state classifies a fourth DUI within 10 years as a felony. Penalties for a conviction include:

• Clinical evaluation
• A period of probation
• A fine between $1,000 and $5,000
• Completion of a DUI alcohol program or drug use risk reduction program
• One to five years in prison unless the judge decides to change part of the prison sentence to an alternative penalty
• At least 60 days of community service, which the court could suspend if they sentence the defendant to three or more years of imprisonment

These are serious, life-changing penalties. An Atlanta felony DUI attorney could form a strategy to help get the DUI charges dismissed altogether or the penalties reduced.

How a Felony DUI Lawyer Could Help

If a DUI results in felony charges due to injury, a felony DUI lawyer in Atlanta may argue that the injury is not severe enough to warrant a felony charge.

In any situation, a lawyer will carefully investigate the accident and arrest. We are not afraid to go to trial. If the prosecution’s evidence is weak, we could try to remove it from consideration. If any part of the arrest was illegal, we could fight to get the charges dismissed.

For fourth-time DUI felonies, there may not be much chance to dismiss the charges completely, but a lawyer could help reduce the prison sentence by saying the defendant should be in treatment, not prison, and then we could ask to get a reduction of prison time for every day they are in treatment. An experienced attorney can work with the system to help get a better outcome than simply pleading guilty.

Contact an Atlanta Felony DUI Attorney Today

Getting the support of an Atlanta felony DUI lawyer helps you in more than one way. Not only do you have someone on your side who understands the law and can answer your questions, but you also have a powerful advocate who is going to do whatever they can to reach the best possible outcome you could get.

Contact Robert James Trial Attorneys to schedule your free consultation. You do not have to go through this alone.