Felony DUI is more serious than DUI and has more severe penalties

Both DWI and DUI are acronyms. They stand for driving while intoxicated and driving under the influence respectively. DUI lawyers or DUI law firms help in these matters. DWI or driving while intoxicated is the more severe of the two types of charges that you could receive. A DWI means that you are above the legal intoxication limit.

When a police officer stops a car on suspicion of DUI, the officer will generally ask the driver for ordinary credentials, including license and registration. The officer may ask the person to step out of the car and perform one of several field sobriety tests (FSTs). FSTs consist of quick exercises for the driver, intended to indicate whether or not he/she is intoxicated. Sometimes the officer may not subject the driver to an FST but is likely to perform a chemical test, which more accurately indicates sobriety or insobriety. A breathalyzer may be used at the initial traffic stop, or the suspect may be taken back to the station for a blood or urine test.

In all jurisdictions in US and around the world it is not a simple offense. It is considered a criminal offense. The reason for this is because when you are issued a license you clear a written exam which includes full hand knowledge of the problems that happen due to DUI. Also it puts the lives of unsuspecting motorists and pedestrians at risk. Their only fault is being in the wrong place at the wrong time. DUI is often fatal. Your license can be permanently suspended.

If you drive drunk and cause a collision, you may be charged with a felony. Causing life-threatening or life-ending injury to another driver or passenger, or fleeing the scene of the accident are aggravating factors. In few states, a felony DUI is known as aggravated DUI but both are felony offenses with elevated sentences. Generally the punishment for a felony DUI conviction includes:

Incarceration: at least 1 year in jail or prison, depending on the level of intoxication and severity of the accident, if any
Driver's license suspension: at least 2 years
Fines of $400 or more
Vehicle impound and possible sale of your vehicle by the state
Ignition interlock installed on your car for at least 2 years after incarceration release
Mandatory DUI education course
Probation or parole
Felony conviction on your criminal record

Clearly a felony DUI charge carries a number of costly penalties that can haunt you long into your future. If you have been charged with a felony DUI, you should immediately contact a DUI attorney and built a defense strategy. Being charged with a DUI is not a pleasant experience. Any DUI law firm can second that. No matter what you believe to be fair, the consequences for of a DUI are purposefully inconvenient and should be taken quite seriously. There can be different defenses o a DUI charge. A DUI attorney can determine which defense is applicable to your case.