Felony Dui

Understanding the Felony DUI Charges Author: Ashley Smith Similar to most US states, DUI (Driving Under Influence) cases in Tennessee fall under the category of misdemeanors. However, in certain cases, this may upgrade to a felony case. Whatever the category of the charge, you need a lawyer to...





Felony DUI | www.felony-dui.com

Understanding the Felony DUI Charges

Author: Ashley Smith

Similar to most US states, DUI (Driving Under Influence) cases in Tennessee fall under the category of misdemeanors. However, in certain cases, this may upgrade to a felony case. Whatever the category of the charge, you need a lawyer to prevent the conviction and the associated penalties. Availing legal help achieves even more importance when you are facing a felony DUI charge.

Which DUI charges classify as felony in your state? What penalties could you get in case of conviction? Here are the details.

If it is the 4th (or subsequent) offense, it is a Class E felony.
Penalties for this offense - jail term (a year with at least 150 consecutive days), fine (,000-,000), DUI School, license revocation (for 5 years), and if the judge decides, installation of ignition interlock device, and vehicle seizure.

If it is Vehicular Assault, i.e. an intoxicated driver causes serious injury to another; it is a Class D felony.
Penalties for this offense - jail term (2-12 years), and fines and court costs, along with license revocation for 1-5 years (based on the driver's past record).

If it is Child Endangerment, i.e. the intoxicated driver had a child (under 13 years of age) in the vehicle; it is also a Class D felony if child suffers injuries and Class C felony if child death occurs.
Penalties for this offense - jail term (2-4 years for child injury and 3-6 years for child death) and license revocation.

If it is Vehicular Homicide, i.e. fatal crash caused by an intoxicated driver with .08 BAC (blood alcohol concentration); it is a Class B felony.
Penalties for this offense - jail term (8-30 years), fines and license revocation.

If it is Aggravated Vehicular Assault, i.e. if the intoxicated driver (a) has two or more prior DUI convictions and/or vehicular assault convictions; (b) has one vehicular homicide conviction; (c) has BAC of .20 or more; it is Class A felony. Penalties for this Tennessee DUI offense are the most severe - it includes jail term (15-60 years) along with fines.

It is wise to get in touch with a lawyer as soon as possible. Apart from leading to serious trouble, like imprisonment, such a charge, and conviction mars your criminal record. Only a capable lawyer is able to defend you against the charges. However, whether he/she would be able to prevent the conviction, or minimize them, depends on the specific circumstances of your case.

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Article Source: http://www.articlesbase.com/law-articles/understanding-the-felony-dui-charges-3780011.html

About the Author

Ashley Smith, a legal consultant, offers helpful tips for handling drunk driving defense related legal issues. If you are looking for more information on Tennessee DUI Offense and penalties, he recommends you to visit http://www.nashvillecriminallawyer.com/.


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10 Responses to “Felony Dui”

  1. Triumph says:

    felony dui’s usually get a suspended sentence in prison replaced by county jail time, but the nature in which your friend got hers…hurting people…her prison sentence will most likely be imposed and she will go to prison.

  2. TruthB says:

    I’d ask a lawyer about the reason. From my quick read I don’t see that it seals or changes the record.

  3. bellavita214 says:

    My boyfriend is from Scotland and is being charged with a felony DUI. Will he be deported?
    He is a senior in college right now. This is his first offense but the DUI is a felony because there was bodily harm. I am wondering if it is a possibility that he will be sent back to Scotland because of this. We live in Indiana if that matters.

  4. Billy D says:

    Can a person with multiple DUIs and a felony DUI become a lawyer in California?
    Can a person with multiple DUIs and a felony DUI become a lawyer in the state of California?

  5. John S says:

    I know that even people with felony drug convictions have been allowed to join the California bar, but it takes significant evidence of rehabilitation and fitness to practice.

  6. Billy D says:

    Has anyone had their felony DUI pardoned or obtained a certificate of rehabilitation?
    Hi. Has anyone out there had a felony DUI pardoned by the governor or obtained a certificate of rehabilitation? I’m wondering because that is what I will be trying to do in a few years. What are the benefits to getting pardoned and getting a certificate of rehabilitation?

  7. Hops Aficionado says:

    A felony will prevent you from getting registered, but a misdemeanor will not. I don’t know Schwab’s policies, but a misdemeanor traffic charge will not prevent you from getting registered.

  8. Hyphy99 says:

    Felony DUI??
    This girl I know just got a felony DUI she hit two women rollerblading or something. She is under 21 and blew a .09. The women are going to survive, but she hurt them pretty bad. What will her punishment be?

    this is in California

  9. Vins says:

    You can compare how the insurance quotes would change, for example here – autoinsurance.noneto.com

  10. Njbrown113 says:

    Does Charles Schwab hire employees with a DUI felony?
    I have a job interview with Charles Schwab as a Stock Broker, curious if anybody has worked there with a felony (DUI while in college)? It has been dropped to a misdemeanor, but was wondering if that would stop the hiring process.

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