A DUI is considered a felony when a drunk driver causes injury to another driver or passenger. Being charged with a felony DUI in San Diego is considered a misdemeanor charge and it’s likely that it will go on your criminal record. You could also be charged for a felony DUI if you’ve had 3 or more DUI convictions within the past 7 years.
In the county of San Diego there is a ten-year “washout” period. What this means is that if you’ve had a previous felony DUI conviction within the past 10 years, the current drunk driving charge can be viewed as a felony DUI. For example, if you were charged for a felony DUI on June 18, 1996 and you are guilty again of DUI on June 15, 2006, you could be charged with a felony DUI.
Here is a list of possible penalties for a felony DUI in San Diego:
- Jail sentence of 6 months - 1 year
- Mandatory minimum term of incarceration: 48 consecutive hours, or 10 days of community service
- Fines from $390 – $1,000
- 4-year license revocation
- Vehicle may be impounded for six months and you could be required to have an ignition interlock device put on your car up to three years
- Alcohol or drug program for 18-36 months if you haven’t already attended one
Photo Credit: Patrick Fitzgerald
