San Francisco, CA Felony DUI Lawyer

Attorney Defending Clients Facing Drunk Driving Felony Charges in Marin County and the Bay Area

Most DUI arrests in California are charged as misdemeanors. However, there are some circumstances in which the driver may be charged with a felony. Felony convictions are very serious, and the consequences can haunt you for many years to come. If you or someone close to you has been charged with a felony DUI, you need a strong advocate in your corner who understands how the system works and the most effective DUI defense strategies to mitigate the damage as much as possible.

Since 1985, Burglin Law Offices, P.C. has successfully defended drivers charged with felony DUI in Marin County and throughout northern California. Attorney Paul Burglin is one of only five attorneys in the state that is Board-Certified by the National College of DUI defense, as approved by the American Bar Association, and he is the attorney DMV hearing officers, prosecutors, and judges call when one of their own family members or friends is facing serious legal trouble because of a DUI arrest.

Paul co-authors California Drunk Driving Law, a two-volume treatise that is frequently referenced by other DUI defense lawyers in the state. His extensive experience, in-depth knowledge of this area of the law, and successful track record make him one of the most sought-after DUI attorneys in the Bay Area.

When is DUI a Felony in California?

There are three circumstances that can trigger a Felony DUI charge in California:

• You have three or more DUI convictions within the past 10 years;
• You have at least one prior felony DUI conviction within the past 10 years; or
• Your DUI resulted in bodily injury or fatality to another.

If there are aggravated circumstances in the case, you are more likely to be charged with a felony. These include:

• A blood alcohol content (BAC) level of .20 or higher;
• Refusal to submit to a chemical test;
• Driving more than 20 MPH over the speed limit;
• Driving on a suspended license;
• Hit and run;
• Fleeing a police officer; or
• Child endangerment (i.e., having a passenger in the vehicle who is 14 years of age or under).

Penalties for a felony DUI conviction are very harsh, and may include fines of up to $10,000 or more, 180 days to three years in prison, a four-year driver's license revocation, five years of probation, at least 18 months of DUI school, habitual traffic offender status for three years, and many others. In addition to the legal consequences, a felony conviction can make it more difficult to obtain employment, housing, loans, and college admission. It can also mean a lifetime ban from owning or possessing a firearm, ineligibility to enlist in the armed forces, suspension of your right to vote, and denial, suspension, or revocation of a professional license.

Speak with a Seasoned San Francisco Felony DUI Lawyer

A felony drunk driving conviction is a life-altering experience and one that can take years to recover from. The good news is you can fight the charges and, in many cases, have them reduced or dismissed to avoid jail time and other negative consequences. Attorney Paul Burglin knows the ins and outs of the California DUI process, and he puts his experience to work to give his clients the skilled representation they need during this difficult time.

If you are facing a felony DUI charge, contact Burglin Law Offices, P.C. today at 415-729-7300 for a free personalized consultation. We serve clients throughout the Bay Area, including Marin County and the communities of Tiburon, Sausalito, Mill Valley, Larkspur, San Rafael, Novato, San Anselmo, Fairfax. We also help locals and tourists cited in the wine country of Sonoma and Napa, as well as those cited in San Francisco, Oakland, and Martinez.