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Drunk driving can result in a felony conviction

On Behalf of | Mar 20, 2020 | DUI

Alaska has some of the toughest DUI laws in the nation. Although a first-time conviction may result in a misdemeanor, subsequent convictions or a variety of circumstances can result in felony charges. We often help clients understand their options and mount a strong defense against criminal charges.

According to Verywell Mind, there are several factors that can enhance charges, changing them from a routine misdemeanor to a felony DUI.

Bodily harm

If you crash when driving while intoxicated and the result is an injury or fatality to another party, you may face felony charges. Depending on the details of the incident, law enforcement may charge you even if the accident was not your fault. The injured party could be in another vehicle, or they could be passengers in your car.

Blood-alcohol concentration

Drivers with a BAC of .08% are legally intoxicated. If your blood alcohol content is significantly higher than that, it could bump the offense from a misdemeanor to a felony.

Previous DUI convictions

Regardless of whether your past drunk driving conviction was recent or several years ago, you may face felony charges. You may also face felony charges if law enforcement stops you for driving while intoxicated, and you already have restricted license privileges due to a previous conviction.

If you have a child in the car or cause property damage, you may have to defend against felony charges. A conviction might mean at least one year in prison and fines totaling tens of thousands of dollars. Collateral consequences can include losing your job, inability to own a firearm and restrictions on where you can live. Visit our webpage for more information on this topic.