Felony DUI Defense In Vestavia Hills

Understanding Felony DUI Laws in Alabama

In Alabama, most driving under the influence charges are processed as misdemeanors. However, under Alabama Code § 32-5A-191, a DUI is elevated to a felony status under specific conditions.

The most common way a DUI becomes a felony in our state is through repeat offenses. If an individual is charged with a fourth or subsequent DUI within a 10-year "look-back" period, the charge is automatically classified as a Class C felony. It is important to note that the state recently extended this look-back window, meaning older convictions that previously might have timed out could now be used to enhance your current charge to a felony.

Beyond repeat offenses, other aggravating factors can result in felony-level prosecution even on a first or second offense. These include:

• DUI Resulting in Serious Injury: If an accident occurs while under the influence and another person suffers serious physical injury, you may be charged with Felony Assault.
• DUI Resulting in Death: If a fatality occurs, the charges can escalate to Homicide or Vehicular Manslaughter, which are high-level felonies.
• Child Endangerment: Having a passenger under the age of 14 in the vehicle at the time of the arrest is considered an aggravating factor that drastically increases penalties and can lead to felony-level scrutiny.
• Driving with a Revoked License: If you are caught driving under the influence while your license is already suspended or revoked for a prior DUI conviction, the prosecution often seeks felony enhancement.

Penalties and Collateral Consequences of Felony DUI Convictions in Alabama

The penalties for a Class C felony DUI in Alabama are designed to be punitive and life-altering. If convicted, you face a mandatory minimum of one year and one day in prison, with the possibility of up to 10 years in state custody. Furthermore, the court can impose fines ranging from $4,100 to $10,100.

Beyond the immediate prison time and fines, the collateral consequences are often what hurt our clients the most in the long run. A felony conviction means:

• Loss of Civil Rights: You will lose your right to vote and your right to possess or own a firearm.
• Driver’s License Revocation: Your license will be revoked for five years. Unlike misdemeanor offenses, there is often no "hardship" or "work" license available for those convicted of a fourth-offense felony DUI.
• Ignition Interlock Requirements: Upon the eventual reinstatement of your license, you will be required to install an Ignition Interlock Device (IID) for several years at your own expense.
• Employment Barriers: Most employers in Vestavia Hills and throughout Alabama conduct background checks. A felony on your record can disqualify you from professional licenses, government jobs, and many private-sector positions.
• Substance Abuse Treatment: Mandatory enrollment in a state-certified chemical dependency program is a standard requirement for felony offenders.

Our Approach To Felony DUI Defense

Facing a felony DUI can be overwhelming, so our firm focuses on bringing clarity and structure from the start. We begin with a free evaluation, listening carefully to the client’s account, reviewing paperwork, and addressing urgent concerns like court dates or license issues. This early attention helps clients understand where they stand and what comes next.

Our felony DUI attorney in Vestavia Hills then closely analyze how the case developed, from the traffic stop and testing to police reports, looking for legal or procedural flaws. Based on the evidence, we tailor a defense strategy that may involve litigation or negotiation. Throughout, we prioritize clear communication, explaining each step of the Alabama process so clients can make informed decisions.

Our strategies often include:

• Challenging the Initial Stop: Did the officer have reasonable suspicion to pull you over? If the initial stop was illegal, every piece of evidence gathered afterward—including breath tests—may be thrown out.
• Attacking the Breathalyzer Accuracy: The Draeger Alcotest machines used in Alabama require strict maintenance and calibration. We investigate whether the machine used in your case was serviced correctly and whether the officer was properly certified to operate it.
• Medical Defenses: Certain medical conditions, such as GERD (Acid Reflux) or diabetes, can cause "mouth alcohol" or Ketones that create a falsely high BAC reading. We use medical experts to explain these anomalies to the court.
• Challenging Prior Convictions: Since a felony DUI often relies on prior convictions, we scrutinize those past cases. If a previous conviction was handled without proper legal counsel or had constitutional defects, we may be able to argue it shouldn't count toward the "fourth offense" status.

Why Choose The Revill Law Firm

When you are deciding whom to trust with a felony DUI case, you need more than generic promises. You need a firm whose daily work is criminal defense in Alabama courts. At Revill Law Firm, our practice is devoted to defending people accused of crimes across the state, including serious DUI matters that begin in Vestavia Hills and surrounding communities.

Since 2010, our team has appeared in courts throughout Alabama on DUI, drug, violent crime, and appellate matters. This experience helps us give clients realistic guidance about how felony DUI cases are commonly handled, what judges may focus on, and how prosecutors tend to approach repeat or aggravated DUI allegations.

Our attorneys are committed to protecting constitutional rights at every stage. That means examining the basis for the stop, any search, and every step of the investigative process. We then build personalized defense strategies that consider your history, your goals, and the specific facts of your case rather than relying on a one-size-fits-all approach.

We recognize the emotional strain that comes with facing a felony accusation. Our firm works to provide steady guidance, answer questions, and help you make informed decisions that keep your long-term future in mind, not just the next court date. If you are seeking a felony DUI attorney in Vestavia Hills, we can address with you from both a legal and practical perspective.

Don't let a mistake define your life; call a felony DUI attorney in Vestavia Hills at (205) 928-6544 or contact us online to schedule your free consultation. We offer flexible payments and are available 24/7.