Any form of drunk driving conviction can have a severe impact on your life. You may lose your drivers’ license, or be required to have an ignition interlock device fitted to your vehicle. You could even find that such a conviction impacts your employment, particularly if your job requires you to drive.
Even simply being investigated for such an offense can be a taxing experience. We saw in a previous article the tests to which one driver was subjected after being arrested on suspicion of drunk driving. However, to make things worse, in some cases the charge against you may be considered to amount to a felony. Felony charges often carry harsher penalties with consequences that have a more lasting effect.
Many states have an elevated BAC limit which, if exceeded by a driver, can result in a felony charge. Your DUI charge may also constitute a felony if someone was physically harmed as a result of your drunk driving. It is also considered a felony offense if you are found to be driving under the influence while there are children in your vehicle. Prior convictions can also influence the status of the charges against you.
It can seem like a difficult process to navigate, but you do not have to face it alone. An attorney can help you to understand the charges you face and may be able to assist you in avoiding conviction. He or she can evaluate your circumstances and help you ensure that your version of events is heard by the court.
