Anybody who’s gotten a felony DUI conviction can attest to how frightening it can be. It’s a mistake that will haunt them for the rest of their lives. It will remain on both your driving record and criminal history.
Your DUI conviction will appear on a criminal history background check performed by a potential employer. Some employers may not consider hiring an applicant with a history of DUIs. If a standard DUI can result in these kinds of issues, you can expect a felony DUI to be far worse.
Generally speaking, a typical DUI is a misdemeanor criminal charge. Misdemeanor DUIs usually have a maximum sentence of one year in jail, and fines ranging from several hundred to several thousand dollars. The penalty for a felony DUI might be far more stringent.
Compared to misdemeanors, felonies involving DUI typically result in larger fines and more severe license-related consequences. However, the jail term associated with a conviction is what essentially distinguishes felonies from misdemeanors. If found guilty of a felony DUI, the at-fault driver can expect to serve a considerable prison sentence.
Our DUI defense attorneys in Nashville, TN will go above and beyond to assist our clients avoid harsh penalties. We’ll work to have the felony DUI charges dropped or reduced. If that isn’t feasible, we’ll try to work out a favorable plea with the prosecutor.
Contact Nash Law right now if you were just charged with felony DUI in Nashville, TN. Too much is at risk for you to attempt to tackle this alone. Contact us today at 615-NASH-LAW
Circumstances That Can Result in Felony DUI Charges
Every state has a separate DUI statute. Still, there are aggravating circumstances that turn a DUI into a felony in the majority of states. Our Nashville, TN defense attorneys constantly work around the clock to spare our clients from harsh consequences. We’ll focus on getting the felony DUI charges dropped or reduced.
A DUI Conviction is Always a Serious Matter
Any DUI conviction in Tennessee carries severe consequences. Even a first-time DUI conviction entails steep fines, a suspension of their driver’s license, and perhaps jail time. It can be frightening, though, to think about the repercussions of a felony DUI conviction. Should you be found guilty of felony DUI, you will be subject to the following sanctions:
If you are impaired by alcohol or drugs and are involved in an accident that results in significant physical harm, you should be concerned about the following:
- Penalties ranging from $5,000 to $10,000
- Minimum of 30 days in jail
- Possible prison term of up to 15 years
Factors That Can Increase Penalties of a DUI
These consequences are multiplied if you are impaired and cause an accident that results in the death of another person. The following are some of the more frequent situations that might turn a DUI into a felony in Nashville, TN:
Causing Death or Severe Injury
Serious injury or death caused to someone while driving, in another vehicle, or on the road is punishable by harsh laws. In fact, according to the law, anyone found guilty of vehicular homicide faces a minimum of two years in prison.
A felony charge is likely to follow if an intoxicated motorist causes an accident that results in another person’s death or significant bodily injury. Whether or not this is the driver’s first infraction is irrelevant.
Being a “High-Risk Operator”
Because of their line of work, certain drivers are responsible for the safety of other people. One example of someone who fits within this domain is school bus drivers, who are responsible for regularly carrying pupils. A school bus driver who consumes alcohol while operating a vehicle faces a sentence of one to five years in prison as this will fall under child endangerment.
Multiple Offenses
Criminal penalties affiliated with a felony DUI are severe. Other than facing significant jail time, you may also be subjected to fines in the thousands of dollars. Your penalty will be contingent on the DUI convictions you’ve received. More convictions mean high penalties.
Only an Experienced DUI Defense Attorney Can Handle the Difficulties of a Felony DUI Charge
If you’ve been charged with felony DUI in Nashville, TN, you will likely serve time in prison depending on the specifics of your case. You have to be very careful in the moments following the accident to not implicate yourself.
For instance, you might spend up to 25 years in prison if you killed someone while driving while intoxicated. It is best to consult with an experienced Nashville, TN criminal defense attorney at Nash Law rather than taking a chance on this.
Our legal team at Nash Law is well-versed in Tennessee laws and will make every effort to have the felony DUI charge against you withdrawn or lessened. If you want to learn how we can help, get in touch with us today at 615-NASH-LAW to schedule an appointment!
