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A felony DUI charge isn’t just serious—it’s life-changing.
As San Diego’s top defense firm, we bring the experience and commitment needed to fight for your freedom. With us, you’ll get a defense strategy built to challenge every angle of the case against you.
This is about protecting your future, and we’re here to make sure you have a powerful team in your corner, ready to stand up for your rights from day one.
Contact David P. Shapiro, Criminal Defense Attorneys, and schedule your consultation today.
The majority of DUIs are charged as misdemeanors in California—certain situations trigger a felony charge:
Potential Penalties for Felony DUI in California
Penalties for felony DUI offenses vary, but they are significantly harsher than those for misdemeanor DUIs. Here’s a breakdown of potential sentences:
At David P. Shapiro Criminal Defense Attorneys, we understand that this is more than just a “case”—it’s your life. That’s why we fight to protect your rights and pursue the best outcome possible, so you can move forward with confidence.
Each felony DUI case requires a carefully crafted defense strategy based on the specific circumstances. Our attorneys may challenge:
We understand that good people sometimes find themselves in difficult situations. Our approach focuses on protecting your rights while working toward the best possible resolution for your case.
If you’ve been arrested for felony DUI, you face two separate but equally important proceedings – your criminal case and a DMV administrative action against your license.
You only have 10 days from the date of arrest to request a DMV hearing to contest your license suspension. If you miss this deadline, your license will be automatically suspended, regardless of what happens in your criminal case. The DMV hearing is your opportunity to:
Having an experienced DUI defense attorney handle both aspects of your case can make a significant difference in protecting your rights and working toward the best possible outcome. At David P. Shapiro Criminal Defense Attorneys, we understand the interplay between DMV proceedings and criminal court, and we can guide you through both processes while protecting your interests.
Our firm provides:
If you or someone you love is facing criminal charges in California, swift action is imperative. The penalties can be life altering and long lasting. Give us a call today to set up a case evaluation with one of our attorneys and learn how to best protect your freedom and future.
Too often, we see clients who “wait and see,” unsure of the legal landscape ahead, only for charges to escalate. They then find themselves backpedaling into a bad defense and an even worse lawyer. Don’t let that happen to you. Protect your freedom. Protect your future. Know your rights.
The contents of this article and blog are meant for informational and marketing purposes only and do not constitute legal advice. Viewing and/or use of the blog does not form an attorney-client relationship. No statements in this post are a guarantee, warranty, or prediction of a particular result in your case.
Here’s what you need to know to regain control of your future
You have questions. We have answers. Check out our answers to some of the more frequently asked questions (FAQs) below. Want more information or have a question not answered here about how you can regain control of your future if charged with a crime? Give us a call at (619) 295-3555.
In some cases, we may be able to negotiate with prosecutors to reduce felony DUI charges to misdemeanors. This depends on factors such as:
DUI cases involving injury require especially skilled defense representation. The prosecution must prove that your driving under the influence directly caused the injuries. We carefully examine all evidence to challenge causation when appropriate.
A felony DUI conviction may remain on your criminal record permanently unless you qualify for expungement. Our attorneys can advise you about potential options for cleaning up your record after completing your sentence.
“I came to David Shapiro to end my probation early and expunge my case. I had a very positive and very informative experience with him. David and his assistant Maria were excellent and always kept in the loop of what was going on.”
“Helping good people get their lives back is not just a catch phrase. They mean what they say and are serious about taking care of the client. Ally Keegan and the team at Law Office of David Shapiro are AMAZING! My charges for a 25 plus year old case were dismissed, it was not easy but I truly believe that if I had went with any other Law Firm that the outcome would have been very different. Thank you Ally for helping me get my life back!”
“I called many lawyers after I got my DUI. Stefano was the only lawyer who put my mind at ease and gave me a sense of relief. He constantly communicated with me about my case and laid out all my options. He was willing and able to do whatever he could to help me. He went above and beyond what was expected.”
“I have used David 2 times in the past and he has by far exceeded my expectations. He has great knowledge and knows the system. He is straight forward and honest and somebody you can trust without doubt. I would recommend him to friends, family, and anybody that needs help. Best attorney I’ve ever come across.”
“Stefano Molea was extremely professional and consistently timely with responses to my questions. Most of all, Stefano was reliable. Stefano was diligent with discovery and always prepared and tenacious when relevant to the situation. Stefano is an attorney that you can count on for the best outcome. Thank you Stefano for all you did in my case. You’re so awesome!!!!”
“Ally was an absolute pleasure to work with. Her calm and reassuring demeanor was matched with her excellent knowledge, dedication, thoroughness. We unfortunately found ourselves in need of a criminal lawyer and we can without a doubt say that having Ally and her firm represent us from the beginning was the best choice we could have made.”
