In the United States, an individual is arrested for DUI every forty-five seconds. DUI charges tend to be serious, but felony charges could be life-changing.
In case you or perhaps a person you know is dealing with a DUI felony charge in Fort Lauderdale, you must know the procedure and your defense choices.
What Is a DUI Felony?
When specific elements make a DUI a felony, the offense becomes more severe. In case you happen to be in Fort Lauderdale and dealing with a DUI felony charge, you will need legal assistance. A Fort Lauderdale DUI lawyer can discuss your rights, represent you in court, and prepare to battle your charges.
Below are some instances where a DUI is really a felony:
- Multiple DUI Offenses: If you are guilty of drunk driving more than one time in a certain amount of time, you can face felony charges.
- Causes Death or Injury: A DUI that results in severe injury or death may turn into a felony.
- Driving with a Suspended License: You will be charged with felony driving under the influence when your license is suspended.
- High Blood Alcohol Content (BAC): In certain states, an extremely high BAC may result in more serious charges.
What If You Are Charged With a Felony DUI?
A felony DUI is serious business. Compared with a misdemeanor that could be accompanied by fines, probation, or maybe a brief jail term, a felony DUI could lead to:
- Felony DUI convictions could lead to years in prison based on the seriousness of the situation.
- You might be paying a lot of money in fines and court costs.
- Your driving license might be suspended for a long time or even revoked entirely.
- A felony conviction impacts your future opportunities to get a job, rent a home, or travel abroad.
- Courts may order alcohol education programs, rehabilitation, or community service.
How to Defend a DUI Felony Charge
A felony DUI charge does not make you guilty by definition. A seasoned lawyer can work with many defense techniques to contest the charges against you. These are defenses that could work:
- The Legality of the Stop: Police must have a reason to pull you over. In the event they stopped you with no probable cause, any proof they gathered might be dismissed in court.
- Challenge to the Accuracy of the Breathalyzer or Blood Test: Breathalyzers and blood tests aren’t always accurate. False readings could be brought on by a defect, incorrect calibration, or human error. Your lawyer can check if the test results are dependable.
- How You Proved You Were Not Driving: Even when police did not really look at you driving, you might argue you weren’t driving the automobile while drunk.
- Medical Conditions/Other Factors: A few health conditions, like diabetes or acid reflux, could lead to false positives on breathalyzer tests. Some diets or medicines also impact BAC readings.
- Violation of Your Rights: In case your rights have been violated throughout the arrest process—such as being unable to read your Miranda rights or having your searches conducted illegally—your case might be dismissed.
Why You Need a Fort Lauderdale DUI Lawyer
In case you’re arrested for a felony DUI in Fort Lauderdale, you want a seasoned attorney on your side. A Fort Lauderdale DUI lawyer knows local laws, courts, and legal strategies to fight the charges. They can:
- Analyze the Evidence: Your lawyer will examine all evidence to figure out where the prosecution has a weakness.
- Negotiate Plea Deals: Sometimes an attorney may negotiate a plea deal that reduces your charges to a misdemeanor or even lowers your penalties.
- Represent You in Court: If your case goes to trial, having a seasoned lawyer on your side improves your odds of a favorable outcome.
Final Thoughts
A felony DUI charge is serious, though it isn’t the end of the road. Understanding your rights and dealing with a Fort Lauderdale DUI attorney can help you fight the system for yourself.
Remember, mistakes occur, but having the right legal support can mean the difference between safeguarding your future.
If you or perhaps somebody you know is dealing with a felony DUI charge, act immediately and get expert legal assistance.
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