When Is a DUI Charged as a Felony?
In California, the majority of DUIs are misdemeanors. Only about 2-3% of all DUI arrests amount to felony DUI charges. There are a few different factors that could enhance a misdemeanor drunk driving offense to a felony, including:
- DUI accidents – those resulting in injury, great bodily injury, or death
- DUI with priors – if you have three or more DUI convictions within the past 10 years
- DUI with one or more prior felony drunk driving convictions
Every cases are different, and the prosecutor reserves the right to charge any of these as a misdemeanor rather than a felony. Learn more about felony DUIs.
