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Miami Dade Felony DUI Attorneys

felony dui Driving under the influence is a crime in any state. First and foremost, our advice is simple: Do not drive any motor vehicle if you have been drinking. This is the only guaranteed way to be sure you will not be charged with a DUI. If you have consumed any alcohol, call a friend or call a rideshare service. That being said, if you drive after drinking and are stopped by law enforcement for suspicion of driving under the influence, call a attorney.

Generally speaking, a first offense is a misdemeanor; however, under certain conditions, a DUI is a felony in Florida. When facing felony DUI charges in South Florida, you may need a Miami-Dade felony DUI attorney who understands how to review the tests you were given and determine if they are reliable and were administered accurately. View our case results; there is no substitute for experience.

A Misdemeanor Turns Into a Felony DUI When:

This is your third DUI within 10 years of your second DUI
This is your fourth DUI
You were responsible for an incident causing serious bodily injury
You were responsible for an incident causing property damage

Someone died due to your alleged DUI
You left the scene of an accident you caused
There was a child in the vehicle you were driving

Florida Has Harsh Penalties for Felony Offenders

In Florida, a felony DUI will remain on your record for 75 years. You cannot expunge or seal your record, and may a conviction may subject you to costly monetary penalties and lengthy prison sentences. These include:

Third DUI

Up to $5,000 in fines
Up to five years in state prison and/or 5 years of probation
A minimum 10-year revocation of driver’s license

Fourth DUI

Up to $5,000 in fines
Up to five years in state prison and/or five years of probation
Mandatory permanent revocation of driver’s license

DUI Causing Serious Bodily Injury

Up to $5,000 in fines
Up to five years in state prison and/or 5 years of probation
Possible restitution to the victim(s)
Minimum three-year suspension or revocation of driver’s license

DUI Manslaughter

Up to $10,000 in fines
Up to 15 years in state prison
Minimum 3-year revocation up to permanent revocation of driver’s license

DUI Manslaughter With Leaving the Scene

Up to $10,000 in fines
Up to 30 years in state prison
Permanent revocation of driver’s license

If you are coming close to facing some of the most costly DUI penalties in the United States, you can trust the dedicated legal staff at Meldon Law to take an aggressive stance in your defense. We can review all the circumstances surrounding your arrest and leverage our collective experience to minimize potentially damaging effects. We can handle all facets of a DUI case, including:

Initial traffic stop
Field sobriety tests
Breath testing devices

Police misconduct
Constitutional violations

We are here for you 24/7

(Consultations are Free)

Call Us Now

Florida DUI Laws Are Complicated

There are time limits and statutes of limitations to consider in seeking not-guilty verdicts, dismissals, or plea bargains in felony charges. Every case is different, and we can investigate every case thoroughly. We know there’s no time to waste. By getting to work immediately in the first few days following an arrest, we gain a leg up towards defeating the charges.

We leave no stone unturned as we focus on:

The procedures used by arresting officers(s)
The validity and accuracy of any testing methods used
The maintenance of testing equipment
The documented training that was given to the testers

You are innocent until proven otherwise, and you have an absolute right to assert a defense that can make it difficult for the prosecution to establish your guilt beyond a reasonable doubt. Some things that can help to explain or excuse your alleged behavior and improve your case include:

You were not under the influence of drugs or alcohol
There are inaccuracies in the chemical testing
Police improperly administered field sobriety tests

You were not operating a motor vehicle
There was no probable cause to pull you over
Challenges to prior convictions to reduce the number of offenses counted towards sentencing

Felony DUI Convictions Can Have Lifetime Consequences

Some long-term collateral consequences of a DUI conviction include:

Revocation of driver’s license
A felony DUI will appear on a background check
Inability to secure a job in fields such as healthcare, education, and government
Inability to secure a job that requires the use of vehicles or heavy machinery
Increased auto insurance rates
Standing in the community may be tarnished
Loss of gun ownership rights

Temporary loss of your right to vote
Difficulty renting a home or apartment
Limitations, restrictions, or refusal of professional licenses
Ignition interlock device
Limitations on child custody and/or visitation right
Inability to participate in government welfare programs

Call Our Miami-Dade Felony DUI Attorney to Defend Your Rights

In the judicial system, as well as in the courts of public opinion, you have the right to defend yourself against any criminal charges. If you have been charged with a felony DUI in South Florida, the litigators at Meldon Law can help. Call us today at 800-373-8000, or contact Meldon Law online, to schedule a free consultation to discuss the particulars of your case.

This is a sensitive area of criminal law, one that often uses subjective criteria for decisions that can impact an individual or a family for a lifetime. At Meldon law, our team of attorneys has four decades of experience defending against felony DUI charges. We understand how the legal system works, and how to present a clear and convincing case to a jury. Your future may be at stake: act responsibly, and act quickly.