Califronia DUI Felony and DUI Misdemeanor

Is a California DUI a felony or Misdemeanor? The quick answer to this question is that it depends. Many factors are taken into account that can categorize the DUI as on or the other.  Regardless of which category the DUI falls into, it is important to hire an attorney who specializes in DUI offenses to be able to reduce a felony to a misdemeanor or reduce the penalty of the misdemeanor.  California has harsh penalties for DUI convictions, particularlyLos Angeles County and the state legislator is consistently making the penalties harsher.

A basic rule is, in order, to convict a person of DUI, the prosecution must provebeyond a reasonable doubt that the accused drove a vehicle while under the influence of alcohol, drugs, or both; or, that the accused drove a vehicle with .08 percent or more, by weight, of alcohol in the blood.  Call theLaw Offices of Loren M. Merlin we will make sure that all of your rights are protected.

California DUI cases may be charged as a misdemeanor or as a felony. A few examples where a DUI may be charged as afelony where someone is injured (usually when an accident is involved), resisting arrest or where the accused has three or more prior DUI convictions. These convictions must have happened within ten years of the new charge to count against the accused as a prior conviction.

If you have any questions concerning penalties for a DUI conviction in Los Angeles, please call Los Angeles DUI Lawyers Law Offices of Loren M. Merlin.