Troy Felony DUI Lawyer

Driving while under the influence of alcohol or drugs is always a serious charge but, in some cases, it rises to a felony-level offense. The repercussions of a felony conviction are severe enough, and then having a felony record could impact your life well after you have served your sentence. Contacting a Troy felony DUI lawyer may be the key to minimizing the chances of a criminal conviction and its accompanying consequences.

A felony DUI or OWI charge typically means that you have prior convictions to contend with. As a result, the consequences you are facing will be automatically greater. A local drunk driving defense lawyer could analyze the circumstances of your cost and present the most thorough strategy for handling your case.

The most common situation in which individuals may face felony OWI charges is if they have two or more previous drunk driving or DUI-related convictions in their lifetimes. Although some states limit their “look-back” periods for earlier convictions to seven or ten years, Michigan state law contains no such provision. Accordingly, individuals with prior OWI convictions that are over 20 years old could still face a felony OWI charge for a third or subsequent offense. Even a conviction for under 21 with a BAC or being visibly impaired while operating could be used for enhancement thereby leading to felony charges down the road.

Under Mich. Comp. Laws § 257.625, a felony OWI conviction that occurs due to two or more previous convictions can result in the following penalties:

• A prison sentence of one to five years or up to one year in county jail
• Probation
• Community service
• A fine ranging from $500 to $5,000 and payment of court costs
• Vehicle immobilization or forfeiture
• License suspension

When a person is drunk driving and a serious injury to another or death occurs, the penalties are significantly greater. Also, where the prosecutor can prove that the driver had a blood alcohol concentration (BAC) of .17 percent or more at the time of the accident as well as a prior conviction within seven years, they face the prospect of spending much more time in prison. Additionally, if the OWI results in death to another, the potential penalties can increase to a 15-year prison term and a fine of up to $10,000. Likewise, if the individuals have a BAC of .17 percent or more and a prior conviction within seven years, their potential prison time increases to 20 years. Given the severity of these possible repercussions, representation by a felony DUI attorney in Troy during any criminal proceedings may be advantageous.

The stakes are high in an OWI case, and when the DUI is charged as a felony, the stakes may be even higher. A felony conviction may not only rob you of your freedom, but it may cause you to lose your job and other career or educational opportunities in the future. A Troy felony DUI lawyer may be a useful ally when you are looking at the possible outcomes of a felony OWI conviction.

Facing OWI charges is likely a challenging and intimidating experience. Fortunately, you do not have to handle this charge alone. Get in touch with an attorney today to learn more about your legal options and to preserve your rights.