Since over 10,000 people die due to DUI every year, it’s understandable state laws are adapting to the growing problem of drinking and driving. One affect of the stiffer laws is being charged with a felony. There are many questions concerning this issue, but for now let’s consider what infractions, misdemeanors, and felonies mean.

An infraction is a minor charge, such as a speeding ticket.
A misdemeanor, a more serious charge, is the term used when there is the potential of a year or less jail time. You may face 30 days in jail, for example, after being charged with your first DUI.
A felony, on the other hand, means you face a year or more jail time.

As you can see, there are differences between felonies and misdemeanors and felonies, namely jail time. However, you also face stiffer penalties on other levels, including: longer license suspension, higher fines, and longer probation.

So which one will you be charged with, a misdemeanor or a felony? It all depends on the state and what exactly happened. It also depends on how effective the defense is. Sometimes charges for a felony fail to stick, such as when you get a second DUI, but misdemeanor charges are made.

Most DUI cases come with misdemeanor charges. Rarely will you be charged with a felony for a first or second DUI. It’s important to note that misdemeanors themselves can be quite strict. You might face months in jail for one charge, while a different charge leads to no jail time.

Felony charges most commonly occur when someone is hurt or endangered. If a death results from a DUI you face a felony, if not vehicular homicide. If you have a long record of DUI charges, you get in an accident, and someone is severely hurt, you often face a felony.

Simply being in an accident where someone is hurt after doing some drinking is no guarantee you will be punished with a felony. A strong DUI defense can at the least lessen your penalties. Defenses can be based on whether you truly were over the limit, whether you made the mistake causing the accident or not, and how the arresting officer acted.

Felony charges for DUI cases may not be common, but with over 10,000 deaths caused by drinking and driving every year, they happen often enough. If you’re unsure of how the legal process works, it’s time to consult with professional legal counsel. Understanding the full scope of misdemeanor or felony charges is something a lawyer can best explain to you.

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DUI defenses are based on lawyer knowledge, experience, and intuition. A good lawyer has a whole deck of cards to play in order to protect his or her client. Some of them are not quite secrets.

Here are some things you may be unaware of when being charged with driving under the influence.

Breathalyzers Are Not 100% Accurate
While officers may not like to believe it, breath tests are subject to human error. If the only evidence of your DUI charge is a breathalyzer test, you have a strong case. Of course, there is officer testimony, and more importantly blood tests. Blood tests are the most accurate of all blood alcohol content tests. But, a  breath test can be questioned in court.

You Do Not Always Have to Take Field Sobriety Tests
Another thing officers may not want you to know is that most states have no laws saying you must take field sobriety tests. You do have to take breathalyzer tests at the risk of immediate license suspension in almost all states, but the tests where you walk in a straight line, count backwards, etc, are not mandatory. You can say no. If you are unsure, ask the officer if declining the field sobriety tests will lead to more charges.

Juries Are Rare
While having a jury of your peers is allowed by federal laws, state laws have circumvented this, making juries in DUI trials very rare. You might be able to get a jury, but most states make you face a judge instead.

Infractions, Misdemeanors, Felonies
Many do not fully understand the legal system, and no wonder – it’s complicated. For the record, infractions are the most minor of charges such as speeding, while misdemeanors are the next level up, and can be used for DUI cases. If you get felony charges for a DUI, that means you’re being charged with a very serious offense. You might be very far over the legal limit, have been charged with drinking and driving before, or hit someone while driving.

Death
If you hit someone while driving and hurt them, felony charges are common. If they die, you can face even tougher penalties. This is not a fun subject to address, but drinking and driving leads to thousands of deaths every year. The legal term is vehicular homicide. If you drink to excess, drive, get into an accident, and someone dies, you can expect stiff charges and a lot of jail time.

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Complete our Free Case Evaluation form and a DUI Lawyer will review your case for Free!