Friday, August 29, 2014

When Is Drunk Driving A Felony?

Many people travel to the state of Florida from other states as it is the home to many popular vacation spots. While on vacation, many people may consume alcohol while enjoying the beautiful beaches, plentiful clubs and bars, and luxurious weather. Sometimes an out-of-town guest can consume too much alcohol before getting behind the wheel of an automobile.

As most people are aware, there are two classifications of crimes, felonies and misdemeanors. Misdemeanors are often considered to be less serious crimes, which carry lighter penalties under the law. The penalty for being convicted of or pleading guilty to a misdemeanor can range anywhere from a small fine to up to a year in jail. The penalty for being convicted of or pleading guilty to a felony, however, is more severe. The penalty for being convicted of a felony can often be prison time. Drunk driving or a DUI is a crime that can be charged as either a misdemeanor or a felony. If you are facing a DUI charge in the Jacksonville, Florida area, it is important for you to retain the services of a skilled Jacksonville DUI lawyer. 

There are several factors, which can affect whether or not you are charged with a misdemeanor or a felony if you are pulled over and arrested for a DUI. These factors include whether or not anyone was injured, the number of previous DUI charges that are on your record, and your blood alcohol content (BAC). If you cause serious injury to another person as a result of driving drunk, you are more likely to face a felony DUI charge. 

In addition, having two priors DUI convictions on your record almost guarantee that you will be charged with felony DUI. When charged with felony DUI it is imperative that you retain the services of a criminal lawyer. Although the penalties for a misdemeanor DUI can be substantial, a felony DUI can carry some very serious penalties in many instances. Therefore, if you have been charged with a DUI, it is in your best interest to speak with a criminal attorney immediately. Criminal defense attorneys know the penalties that you may face for a DUI and how to minimize the repercussions for you.

AUTHOR: James Davis

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