If you have been charged with a felony DUI in Oklahoma, you are probably feeling stressed and uncertain about your future. At Fabian & Young, we understand the anxiety and sense of overwhelm you may have. Our experienced Oklahoma DUI defense attorneys are here to help you. We will answer your questions, explain your best options, build a strong defense, fight for your rights, and guide you through this challenging time. Contact us today for a free consultation.
What is a Felony DUI in Oklahoma?
In Oklahoma, a DUI (Driving Under the Influence) charge can be elevated from a misdemeanor to a felony under certain circumstances. Facts that lead to a felony DUI charge include:
- Multiple DUI offenses: If you have a prior DUI conviction or deferred sentence within the past 10 years, your current DUI charge may be treated as a felony.
- High blood alcohol concentration (BAC): A BAC of 0.15% or higher can result in an “aggravated DUI” charge, which is often prosecuted as a felony.
- DUI with children in the vehicle: If you’re arrested for DUI while driving with minors in the car, you may face felony charges for child endangerment.
- DUI causing injury: If your alleged drunk driving results in an accident that causes great bodily injury to another person, you could be charged with a felony DUI.
- DUI resulting in death: If someone dies as a result of an accident involving your alleged drunk driving, you may face felony DUI manslaughter charges.
Consequences of a Felony DUI Conviction in Oklahoma
The penalties for a felony DUI conviction in Oklahoma are severe and can have long-lasting impacts on your life. Potential consequences include:
- Prison time: A felony DUI conviction can result in a prison sentence ranging from 1 to 20 years, depending on the specific circumstances of your case.
- Hefty fines: You may be required to pay fines of up to $5,000.
- Driver’s license suspension: Your license could be suspended for many years.
- Ignition interlock device: You may be required to install an ignition interlock device in your vehicle for an extended period.
- Mandatory alcohol and drug assessment: You will probably need to be evaluated for substance abuse and possibly be ordered to complete a treatment program.
- Community service: The court may order that you perform community service as part of your sentence.
- Criminal record: A felony conviction will remain on your permanent record, affecting your future employment, housing, and educational opportunities.
- Loss of rights: As a convicted felon, you may lose certain rights, such as the right to vote, own firearms, or obtain a passport.
How an Experienced Felony DUI Defense Attorney in Oklahoma Can Help
When facing felony DUI charges in Oklahoma, having a skilled defense attorney on your side is vital. When you hire Fabian & Young, we get to work protecting your rights and building your best defense.
One of our first steps will be to request a timely administrative hearing with Service Oklahoma fight for your driving privileges. We understand how important it is that you be able to drive to work and meet your family obligations.
We will thoroughly review the details of your arrest, including police reports, witness statements, and evidence collected at the scene. Once we have evaluated the details of your case, we will scrutinize the procedures used during your arrest and any tests administered.
At Fabian & Young, we will work to identify and challenge any violations of your rights or improper evidence handling. We also negotiate with prosecutors to try and reduce your charges and seek alternative resolution and sentencing options. We explore options like diversion programs or treatment-based alternatives to help avoid the most severe penalties.
We excel at developing your strongest defense. Your strategy will be tailored to your specific facts. If your case goes to trial, our experienced and skillful Oklahoma felony DUI defense lawyers will aggressively defend your rights before a judge and jury.
Fabian & Young will guide you carefully through the legal process. We will answer your questions and support you throughout each stage of your case. You can be assured that you are in experienced, capable, caring hands.
Why Choose Fabian & Young for Your Felony DUI Defense
When your freedom and future are on the line, you need a law firm with a proven track record of success in handling felony DUI cases. Here’s why Fabian & Young is the right choice for your defense:
- Extensive experience: Our attorneys have more than 50 years of experience defending clients against felony DUI charges in Oklahoma.
- Focused knowledge: We stay up-to-date on the latest changes in Oklahoma DUI laws and defense strategies to provide you with the best possible representation.
- Personalized attention: We understand that every case is unique. Our attorneys take the time to listen to you and develop a tailored defense strategy.
- Aggressive defense: We’re not afraid to take on tough cases and fight hard for our clients’ rights, both in and out of the courtroom.
- Compassionate support: We know how stressful this situation is for you and your family. Our team provides empathetic guidance and support throughout the legal process.
- Local knowledge: As an Oklahoma-based firm, we have in-depth knowledge of local courts, prosecutors, and judges, which can be invaluable in navigating your case.
- Proven results: Our firm has a strong record of achieving favorable outcomes for clients facing felony DUI charges, including charge reductions, case dismissals, and acquittals.
- Comprehensive approach: We address all aspects of your case, from the criminal charges to the administrative proceedings that could affect your driving privileges.
Don’t let an Oklahoma felony DUI charge derail your life. The consequences of a conviction are too severe to face alone. At Fabian & Young, we’re committed to protecting your rights, preserving your freedom, and fighting for the best possible outcome in your case.
Oklahoma Felony DUI FAQ
When you are facing felony DUI charges, it is easy to panic. After all, your freedom is in jeopardy. However, once you have a firm understanding of how the burden of proof works, whether the prosecutor has a strong case against you, and what to expect from the criminal justice system, you may find yourself feeling confident as you go into your DUI trial.
With that being said, we have addressed some of the most common questions and answers surrounding felony DUI charges in Oklahoma below. We may not answer every question you have regarding the charges against you on this page but do not hesitate to contact our law office for a more individualized look at the circumstances of your case.
What Are The Chances of Winning a DUI Case in Oklahoma?
It depends on whether there are aggravating or mitigating factors present and the specific circumstances of your case. The chances of winning a DUI case depend heavily on a wide variety of factors. If the state has concrete evidence that you were impaired at the time of the traffic stop, it may be more difficult to secure an acquittal. However, if we can challenge the state’s evidence against you or get certain types of evidence dismissed, we may be able to strengthen your odds of winning.
If you have an extensive criminal record, there is a greater chance that you be convicted of drunk driving. The jury may view you as a career criminal and decide that you should be punished for your habitual convictions. If this is your first time being accused of a DUI, however, your chances of a successful verdict may be higher. This is because the prosecutor or jury will not want to see someone’s life forever impacted by a single mistake.
What Are The Long-Term Consequences of a Felony DUI in Oklahoma?
It is not only your criminal sentence that you need to be worried about if you are convicted of a felony DUI. Once you have completed the terms of your sentence, you will need to reintegrate into society. Many people who have spent years behind bars may find this experience jarring and difficult to acclimate to. The collateral consequences will continue to have an impact on your ability to move forward from your felony DUI conviction. Some examples of collateral consequences you could be forced to contend with include:
- Trouble finding housing
- Ongoing drug or alcohol testing
- Being required to complete a drug or alcohol treatment program
- Loss of federal student aid eligibility
- Loss of firearm rights
- Potential risk of deportation
- Trouble finding gainful employment
- A substantial driver’s license suspension
- The installation of an ignition interlock device (IID)
- Loss of child custody or visitation rights
Common Defenses Used in a Felony DUI Case in Oklahoma?
You may have hoped to avoid a trial altogether by entering pretrial diversion or working out a plea agreement with the district attorney. However, in felony DUI cases, you may not qualify for pretrial diversion and the prosecutor may be unwilling to work with you. When this happens, you need to prepare the strongest defense strategy possible. Some potential defenses that could be used to challenge your charges include:
- Lack of probable cause for the traffic stop
- Challenging the accuracy of the breathalyzer test
- Issues with the calibration of the breathalyzer
- Issues with the way the breathalyzer was administered
- The arresting officer failing to follow proper testing procedures
- Having a medical condition that mimics impairment
- Constitutional rights violations
Contact an Experienced Oklahoma Felony DUI Defense Attorney Today
If you’ve been charged with a felony DUI in Oklahoma, you need to act fast. You only have 40 days to request a Service Oklahoma administrative DUI hearing to protect your driving privileges. Don’t wait – contact Fabian & Young today to schedule a free, confidential consultation with one of our experienced felony DUI defense attorneys.
We will review the details of your case, explain your legal options, and help you take the first steps toward reclaiming your future. Remember, a felony DUI charge does not have to mean the end of your dreams and plans for the future. With the right legal team, you can fight these charges and work toward a more positive outcome.
Contact Fabian & Young now to schedule a consultation with an Oklahoma felony DUI defense attorney who will stand by your side and fight for your rights every step of the way.