Los Angeles Felony DUI Attorney 

When the prosecutors are deciding whether to file a DUI case as a felony or a misdemeanor, they will key in on whether the injury to the victim was serious. The term “serious injury” related to felony DUI cases is debated. Defense attorneys fight this issue for their clients in Los Angeles County and the San Fernando Valley.

The problem with trying to figure it out is that neither the legislature nor the courts have given much guidance on a solid definition of a severe injury related to a felony DUI case. This leaves things in a murky state when it is a close call. What typically ends up happening is that there are cases that are severe injuries in nature, like if the victim has a broken bone or a serious scar on their body.

Then there are those cases involving soft tissue injuries that the prosecutors refuse to file as felonies because they cannot prove a serious injury. The alleged victim has often hired an attorney, inflated their injury, and is trying to obtain a substantial civil award. Sometimes, the prosecutors do not know this, and it is up to the defense attorney to point it out and argue for the misdemeanor. The defense attorney's role in this situation is crucial, as they must present evidence and make persuasive arguments to the prosecutor and, if necessary, the judge to ensure their client is not unfairly charged with a felony.

When it comes to penalties and facing prison and a strike on your record, you should hire a DUI attorney who has been down the road you are about to travel and had success. There is no room for mistakes when handling a felony DUI case.

The police are not always correct in their decision to arrest someone for a felony DUI and make them post a hundred thousand dollar bail to get out of custody. These types of cases must be handled by someone who has both experiences with the subject matter and has dealt with these types of issues in the courthouse you find yourself in. The felony DUI lawyer at our office has helped numerous clients get their deserved representation.

What Are the Best Defense Strategies for a Felony DUI?  

If the prosecutors have the evidence to prove that you are guilty of a felony DUI, the next step is to determine how to minimize the damages from this type of charge. One key area to have your DUI defense attorney work on is obtaining money to make the victim whole related to their injuries from the accident. Insurance can be used for this purpose as well as for your client.

Of course, the best-case scenario is if you have a significant enough insurance policy to pay the victim for their car and injuries. If this is the case, it is up to your defense attorney to work with the insurance company and prosecutor to achieve the best result possible. 

If you had no insurance to cover the accident, you would be in a much more difficult position and have less bargaining strength with the prosecutor and judge. Sometimes, the prosecutors are not reasonable regarding felony DUI cases, and your attorney must go to their boss or even the judge to achieve the best result.

Successfully navigating the legal system in a felony DUI case requires the expertise of a seasoned DUI defense attorney. Our office is ready to discuss your case with our felony DUI attorney, who is battle-tested and intimately familiar with the court system.

How Our Law Firm Can Help You 

As an experienced felony DUI lawyer, the first step I take in assisting a client with a felony DUI is to understand their case thoroughly. We will go over all the facts and circumstances related to your case, ensuring that we leave no stone unturned. This includes examining the circumstances of the traffic stop and determining if the police had a valid reason to pull you over. If it can be shown that the stop was unlawful, any evidence obtained during the stop, such as a breathalyzer test, may be inadmissible in court.

Once we have everything laid out, know the positive and negative aspects of the accident, and have all the mitigating circumstances related to you and your particular situation, we are in a position to design a road map for success.

During our meeting, my goal is to leave you with a clear plan for achieving the best possible result in your case. Understanding the challenges and opportunities ahead, and knowing how you can assist me, will empower you and instill confidence that you are in good hands.

With 25 years of experience in handling DUI cases, I have a deep understanding of DUI defense issues and how to position you for success. You can trust in my experience as a felony DUI lawyer to handle your case with the utmost professionalism. Contact the Hedding Law Firm to review your case. We also handle DUI cases in all San Fernando Valley Courthouses.

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