In Florida, a DUI can become a felony in several ways. Prior DUI history, the timing of prior convictions, and whether the allegation involves injuries or death can change everything. The core DUI statute and its penalty scheme are in Florida Statutes §316.193.
Felony DUI is not just “a worse DUI.” It can mean higher bond, more aggressive prosecution, a longer driver’s license revocation, and life consequences that follow you long after court ends. Florida’s driver’s license revocation rules for DUI are addressed in §322.28, including long revocations after a third conviction within 10 years and permanent revocation after a fourth conviction in certain situations.
Felony DUI cases often involve blood evidence and crash investigations. In cases with alleged death or serious bodily injury, Florida law addresses blood testing and related procedures in §316.1933. These cases often involve strong emotions, sweeping assumptions, and reports written to sound certain even when the facts are messy.
If you are sitting in fear of what happens next, act before the State locks in its narrative. Call 561.290.2730 now. LeRoy Law can help you understand what you are facing and what can be challenged, before one bad night turns into a permanent label.
Learn more about West Palm Beach DUI defense if your case is not being filed as a felony, or if you need a broader overview of DUI investigations and defenses.
A DUI can be filed as a felony based on prior DUI history and timing, or because the allegation involves serious bodily injury or death. The DUI statute that addresses these categories is §316.193. The details matter, because a “felony DUI” label can come from very different fact patterns, and the defenses can look very different too.
Florida’s DUI law provides that causing “serious bodily injury” while driving under the influence can be charged as a third-degree felony. The serious bodily injury language is referenced in §316.193, and Florida defines “serious bodily injury” in §316.1933. These cases often involve accident reconstruction, medical records, and close review of what actually caused the injury.
Driver’s license consequences can be severe and can last long after a criminal case ends. Florida’s revocation provisions are addressed in §322.28, including long revocations for certain repeat DUI convictions and permanent revocation after a fourth DUI conviction in certain circumstances. The right strategy often includes protecting your eligibility for a future hardship license and avoiding preventable mistakes early in the case.
Ignition interlock requirements depend on the type of DUI conviction and the facts in the case. Florida’s ignition interlock statute is §316.1937, and the Florida DHSMV provides an overview of ignition interlock program requirements here: Ignition Interlock Program (FLHSMV). In felony DUI situations, getting clear guidance early can prevent months of unnecessary license problems.
With felony DUI charges, your words can become evidence, and the State may already be building the case around your statements. If you are scared, that is understandable, but the safest move is to speak with counsel first. A West Palm Beach Felony DUI Lawyer can help you protect yourself while the investigation is still flexible, before you accidentally hand the State something that is hard to undo.
We start where felony DUI cases are won or lost: the evidence. We examine the traffic stop or crash investigation, the officer’s observations, field sobriety exercises, and any breath or blood testing procedures. The legal framework for DUI offenses and penalties is set out in §316.193.
We do not treat blood evidence like magic. In serious injury and fatality allegations, blood testing and the surrounding process can become a major battleground. Florida’s statute addressing blood testing in death or serious bodily injury contexts is §316.1933. Small procedural failures can make a big legal difference.
If your stomach drops every time your phone buzzes, you are not overreacting. Felony DUI charges can escalate quickly. Call 561.290.2730 and speak with LeRoy Law before panic turns into a statement or decision that follows you into court.
Charge level and sentencing exposure are not the same thing. Two felony DUI cases can look identical in a police report and still have very different legal pressure points. We evaluate prior history issues, the timing of any prior convictions, and what the State can actually prove.
We also protect the “life consequences” that people do not talk about at first. Work licensing, professional reputation, immigration concerns, family stress, and the fear of losing driving privileges all deserve attention early. Florida’s revocation statute is §322.28, and ignition interlock rules are addressed in §316.1937.
A felony DUI case should be handled like a proof test, not a lecture. We identify what the State must prove under §316.193, then we challenge the weak points: the stop, the crash assumptions, the testing procedures, the chain of custody, and the conclusions that do not match the data. When negotiation is the right move, it should be based on what the State can prove in court, not what they claim in a report.
If you want a West Palm Beach Felony DUI Lawyer who will treat this like your future depends on it, do not wait until the first court date to get serious. Call 561.290.2730 and get clarity before the fear gets louder.
Know the Law: §316.193 (DUI; penalties) • §316.1933 (Blood testing; serious bodily injury/death) • §322.28 (License revocation) • §316.1937 (Ignition interlock) • FLHSMV Ignition Interlock Program.
If you are afraid you might lose your license and your livelihood, that fear is valid. Get answers from a West Palm Beach Felony DUI Lawyer before you gamble with your future. Call 561.290.2730 today.
Use the form below to contact LeRoy Law regarding your legal enquiry. To help best service your enquiry, please be as detailed as possible. You may also email or call us to make an appointment.
Caleb, Former LeRoy Law Client
Copyright by LeRoy Law, PA. All rights reserved.