What Is a Felony DUI? The Consequences of a DUI Charge
What exactly is a felony DUI? It goes without saying that the penalties for a felony DUI violation in Arizona are much harsher than for an infraction DUI charge. A felony DUI is also often called an “aggravated DUI” since it is considered a more serious crime than a misdemeanor DUI. The penalties for a felony DUI will be more than for a first or second offense.
When a person is convicted of a DUI, the punishment includes both time in jail and additional fines. The minimum penalties for a DUI with a certain amount of alcohol in it is a class B felony, which means that the person has to serve at least two years in state prison. If a person has been convicted of this crime more than once, then they have also shown to have shown prejudicial behavior toward the administration of justice in the past. This means that they might have been involved in other criminal offenses as well.
Many times, aggravated DUI charges are related to the use of a weapon during the commission of the offense. Even if the person merely brandished a weapon at another person, if it was used while driving, they can be charged with felony dui charges. If it can be proved that the person knowingly and willfully caused serious physical injury or the death of another person during the commission of their DUI, then this can also mean serious time behind bars. Some states also have something called the “zero blood level of alcohol rule”, which means that if a driver can show that they were not under the influence of alcohol at the time of the crash, then they might still be allowed to drive.
The penalties for repeat DUI convictions will range between three and fifteen years in state prison. A conviction of this nature will also mean that the person will be required to pay all costs, including court fines, registration fees, and any compensation awarded to the victim through a lawsuit. The judge might also impose mandatory ignition interlock devices for the automobile of the convicted offender. All of this will add up to about a million dollars in possible fines.
Some people make the mistake of thinking that DUI fines can only result in misdemeanor offenses. The truth is, most DUI fines can also result in great bodily injury or death sentences. In addition to the penalties for first and second offenses, the judge can impose up to additional fines on subsequent offenses. If a judge sentences an individual to two or more years in jail, then they may also be required to pay restitution for great bodily injury as well.
If you have been charged with a DUI, no matter what the charges, you should consult an experienced criminal defense attorney immediately. This is especially important if your case is going to go to trial. A lawyer will be able to determine what type of consequences you are facing based on what the blood alcohol content was when you were arrested, how the arrest happened, and what kind of damage was done to the victim during the arrest. With a good DUI attorney, you can be sure that you will not only be acquitted of what is a felony DUI, but that you will also receive the full benefits of being charged with such a crime.