DUI offenses are generally misdemeanor charges in Florida, but there are circumstances and factors that can increase the charges to a felony. Aggravated DUI and felony DUI are often interchangeable terms in Florida and the penalties are harsh if convicted. Do not try to fight your charges alone, contact Kinsell & Whitaker without delay. If you are facing felony DUI charges, it is essential to team up with a Gainesville DUI attorney right away.
Some of the factors that can increase a DUI charge to a felony include:
- Having two previous DUI convictions within 10 years
- The offense resulting in serious bodily injury of another person
- The offenseresulting in the death of another person
Depending on the specifics of your offense, you could be facing a third degree, second degree or first degree felony charge. For the classification of offenses, take a look at Florida Statute 316.193. The penalties for felony DUI offenses are much harsher than misdemeanor offenses. If you are facing a third degree felony, you are at risk of between one and five years in prison plus fines.
A second degree felony DUI is punishable by between four and 15 years in prison plus fines. A first degree felony has various penalties depending on the exact offense; the maximum prison sentence can be 30 years or even life in prison. The fines involved in felony DUI offenses could reach $5,000. DUI offenses are serious in Florida, be sure to seek the aggressive representation that you need. Kinsell Law Firm has years of experience taking on DUI cases, including felony DUI, and we can help.
Contact our firm to set up a free initial consultation or fill out an online case evaluation form now to get started.