Criminal Penalties and Driver License Consequences
By: Whitney Polson, Alabama DUI lawyer
Alabama Felony DUI Punishment, if Convicted
In the United States, it is common knowledge that felonies are the types of state law crimes that are more serious in penalties and consequences. Everyone who watches TV crime stories knows that the death penalty can be given for serious felony offenses, like murder. Some DUI offenses can be a DWI-DUI felony in every state except New Jersey, for certain repeat driving under the influence offenders.
When people hear they have a felony charge, they think about potential years in prison. Far less than 15% of all DUI charges in America are felony DUI cases. In Alabama, that percentage is less than 5% of all Alabama DUI convictions. This page will assist you in comparing law firms near me for defending DUI felony cases.
Prison Time – Class “C” Felony Imprisonment calls for incarceration from a mandatory minimum of 1 year and 1 day, up to 10 years. Jail Time is Mandatory. Ten Years in State Prison is the maximum term, if Convicted of a Class “C” DUI Felony in Alabama
Fine – Minimum of $4,100 to a maximum of $10,100 on an Alabama felony DUI
Substance Abuse – Complete State-Certified Chemical Dependency Program. Upon conviction, the accused DUI Alabama offender will also be required to be evaluated by a mental health professional and attend a court-approved substance abuse treatment program.
License Suspension/Ignition Interlock– 5 Years revocation and 5 years of Ignition Interlock. After a minimum period of 1 year of driver license revocation, an Ignition Interlock may be installed for 5 years to commute the balance of the revocation.
DUI Probation – Up to 5 years
The 4th DUI, or subsequent Alabama DUI (within 5 years), is a DUI-DWI (driving under the influence) conviction that is a Class C felony DUI. A person convicted of DUI felony in Alabama will be sentenced to no less than one year and one day in state prison and no more than 10 years of imprisonment at an Alabama state prison. This wide variance in jail time gives a Judge the power to make a scofflaw pay, with prison time. Reducing a long prison sentence is one beneficial area for a DUI attorney Birmingham AL to assist you, which usually only comes from having a known reputation for fighting DUIs and having top credentials. Such things can make a difference.
Fines and Surcharges
The citizen facing an Alabama DUI 4th offense will be fined between $4,100 and $10,100 dollars. Plus, driving is no longer available for quite a while. The person with a 4th offense DUI within 5 years faces having his or her Alabama driver’s license suspended for five (5) years.
Other DUI Felony Penalties in Alabama
Other Alabama DUI penalties on a felony in Alabama include (when eligible for reinstatement after getting out of state prison) the mandatory installation of an ignition interlock device. This is an electronic breath alcohol test machine that is wired in and attached to the steering column and ignition wiring of your car. This breathalyzer device tracks and records all attempts (by anyone) to crank the interlock-restricted car or truck. Digital technology prevents a vehicle from being started or driven when any measurable amount of alcohol is detected in the driver’s breath.
Whitney Polson – Co-Author of Drunk Driving Book for Alabama DUI Laws
Drunk driving defense has been a cornerstone of the Polson Law Firm’s Vestavia Hills DUI attorney practice for almost half a century. When it comes to citizens facing criminal charges for DUI in Alabama, the central issue for both Alabama DUI defense attorneys is how to beat a DUI for each client after their arrest.
This new (2016) drunk driving book, co-authored by Mountain Brook DUI attorney Whitney Polson, reveals little-known DUI defense strategies that have helped Mark Polson, DUI Lawyer Birmingham AL, and Whitney Polson, Homewood DUI lawyer, carve out a reputation for expertise in DUI defense. They cover all types of other Alabama criminal law offenses, from murder to speeding, but DWI-DUI is their main source of criminal defense practice. On the civil side, personal injury law is their other non-criminal specialty.
The drunk driving book, written in 2016 for DUI defense lawyers, lists over 900 important cases on Alabama DUI law that are already known to DUI specialists like Mark Polson and Whitney Polson. The gist of this book is to explain Alabama DUI law and how the information contained here can be a roadmap for how to beat a DUI in Court.
To speak with an Alabama DUI attorney, who is a DUI specialist on DUI laws in Alabama, don’t wait another minute. Our lawyers in Alabama will speak to you NOW, even on holidays and weekends. Our FREE DUI lawyer consultation and professional criminal case assessment is worth your time and energy. Call (205)-871-8838 or this number after business hours, or on weekends and holidays: (205) 222-4544. If winning your DUI Alabama case is your objective, call our Alabama DUI law firm today.
Disclaimer. These Alabama State Bar guidelines are applicable to that decision-making process for entering into an agreement for an attorney-client relationship. This is much like selecting a surgeon:
Each client should make his or her OWN decision about which lawyers near me he or she will utilize. No representation is made that the quality of the legal services to be performed is greater than the quality of legal services performed by other lawyers.
The hiring of a lawyer is an important decision that should not be based solely upon advertisements.
The attorney’s website is not intended to be an advertisement or solicitation.
LINKS: When is a Felony a DUI in Georgia?
Get a FREE Lawyer Consultation Today With a Top Alabama DUI Lawyer
Arrested for an Alabama DUI? Need to hire a Birmingham criminal defense attorney? Call our criminal lawyers to find your best Alabama DUI lawyer. Call our DUI law firm now for immediate help, at (205) 871-8838. ON WEEKENDS or AFTER BUSINESS HOURS, use our 24-hour DUI lawyer number at (205) 222-4544.
Ask us about help with filing your Alabama DPS appeal within 10 days after arrest.
HOW TO CONTACT OUR 24-HOUR DUI LAWYERS:
Birmingham DUI Lawyer
Office Phone: (205) 871-8838
Polson & Polson, P.C.
2824 Central Avenue #150
Birmingham, Alabama 35209
