The Penalties for a California DUI Felony Conviction
DUIs are among the most common type of California crime. And although they are typically misdemeanor offenses, an egregious case may be charged as a felony. A California felony driving under the influence conviction subjects an offender to a wide array of penalties.
If you are convicted of your fourth or subsequent drunk driving conviction within a ten-year period, you face 16 months to three years in a California state prison. If you are convicted of a felony DUI that causes injury, you face 16 months to ten years in prison.
If you are convicted of felony vehicular manslaughter while intoxicated, you face 16 months to four years in prison. If you are convicted of felony gross vehicular manslaughter while intoxicated, you face four to ten years in prison. If you have a prior alcohol-related vehicular manslaughter conviction or two or more prior DUI convictions, you face 15-years-to-life in the state prison. And this is the same sentence you face if convicted of felony second-degree murder, which may be charged if you kill someone while you were driving under the influence and have a prior DUI.
If your California DUI defense attorney can convince the prosecutor to reduce your felony DUI charge to a misdemeanor, you face a maximum one-year sentence in a county jail. This is simply one reason why consulting with an experienced DUI lawyer can be critical to your case.
