Most DUI charges result in the temporary revocation of a person’s driver’s license and a fine. While all DUI charges are serious, not all of them lead to jail time or a felony. However, if a driver engages in certain aggravating factors when driving while intoxicated, they could face a felony and a significant amount of time in jail.
The following is an overview of some of the most common reasons why drivers are charged with a felony DUI in the United States.
An elevated blood alcohol concentration
It’s illegal for a person to drive with a blood alcohol concentration (BAC) of more than .08%. There is a big difference between a person driving with a BAC of .8% and a person driving with .16%, for example. Therefore, drivers who are found to have an extremely high BAC tend to face harsher punishments.
The causation of bodily harm
If a person was driving while intoxicated and was involved in a collision that caused bodily harm to another person, it’s likely that they will be charged with a felony if it can be shown that their intoxication led to the causation of bodily harm.
Children in the vehicle
Driving while intoxicated and having children in the vehicle is thought to be particularly negligent because the driver is putting their lives at risk. This can often lead to a felony DUI.
If you or a loved one is facing felony DUI charges, it’s important that you grasp how serious this is. Make sure that you take action to form an aggressive defense so that you can protect your future and avoid jail time.