St. Martin Felony DUI Lawyer

Dedicated St. Martin Felony DUI Attorney

Facing a felony DUI charge is one of the most severe driving offenses that you can be charged with in Mississippi. A felony conviction can mean significant prison time, steep fines, and consequences that follow you for the rest of your life. If you have been charged with a felony DUI, you should speak with a St. Martin felony DUI lawyer to learn more about the charges against you and how the law applies to your specific situation.

Kyle Miller is a Mississippi native who has practiced law exclusively in Mississippi for his entire career. As a former County Prosecutor in Jackson County, Kyle was able to try more than 12,000 misdemeanor cases. Having tried cases for both prosecution and defense, Mr. Miller understands how these investigations are handled and what prosecutors look for in every DUI case.

Understanding Felony DUI in St. Martin

The city of St. Martin is located near several major roadways, including Interstate 10, MS 609, and a heavily traveled section of the Gulf Coast. For that reason, police patrol the roads and highways looking for drunk drivers daily. Although many people are arrested and charged with misdemeanor DUI offenses, there are times when the DUI offense can be elevated to felony status.

Mississippi had 9,056 DUI arrests in 2023. Furthermore, 155 alcohol-related deaths occurred on the road, making up about 21% of all traffic fatalities. While causing a traffic fatality can lead to felony charges, not all DUI arrests lead to felonies.

DUI offenses are typically felonies if you have multiple prior DUI convictions. If you are currently facing a third DUI charge and you were convicted of two previous DUIs within ten years, then your current charge is likely to be classified as a felony. Mississippi also allows for felony charges to be filed when a DUI causes serious bodily injury to another person.

Mississippi also has an implied consent law, which states that when a person drives on the road, they inherently agree to be tested if suspected of driving while under the influence. This is often violated in DUI cases, but it can be used to a person’s advantage.

Felony DUI convictions can arise due to a variety of circumstances. Depending on the details of your arrest, your prior record, and whether anyone was injured during the alleged offense, the charges you are facing could be filed as a misdemeanor or a felony.

Factors That Can Influence a Felony DUI Case

No two felony DUIs are exactly alike. There are many issues that prosecutors can take into consideration when assessing your charge and potential sentence. Factors that come into play include previous record, BAC level, passengers, property damage, injuries, and whether there were any aggravating factors involved when you were arrested. If your DUI involved an accident, there may be a lot more information for them to review and investigate.

In some instances, professional testimony may become a factor. Chemical testing, accident reconstruction, and medical evidence are all things that could factor in how your case unfolds. Felony DUI’s usually involve a lot of evidence, which is why it usually takes a thorough review of the facts to know what you’re dealing with.

The Consequences of a DUI Conviction in Mississippi

Although jail and fines are always a concern, many people don’t realize that a felony conviction can cause other issues that last well beyond the court process. Potential penalties include:

• Jail or prison time
• Hefty fines
• Driver license suspension
• Mandatory installation of an interlock ignition device
• Required counseling
• Difficulties finding or keeping employment

Felony convictions usually carry harsh collateral consequences. Felony convictions often show up on background checks, rental applications, college applications, and more.

Kyle Miller

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Hire a Felony DUI Lawyer

A skilled Mississippi DUI lawyer can look at the circumstances of your felony DUI case and explain to you how the law applies. Your St. Martin felony DUI attorney can investigate the arresting officers’ procedures, evaluate chemical test results, and determine if there are any issues that could weaken the prosecutor’s case against you.

Every situation is unique, and you should have an attorney who takes the time to learn the facts of your case. After learning the facts, your attorney can explain your legal options and help you make informed decisions about how to proceed.

FAQs

Can a Felony DUI Affect My Ability to Own a Firearm?

In St. Martin, Mississippi, felony DUI convictions could affect your right to own a firearm. Under both state and federal law, you may lose your ability to possess, purchase, or carry firearms if convicted of felony offenses. There are variations depending on the conviction and the law you are charged with violating. If you have been charged with a felony DUI, it’s important to know that you could face additional consequences if convicted.

Is a Felony DUI Handled Differently Than a Misdemeanor in Court?

Felony cases are handled differently from misdemeanor cases in court. Felonies tend to be more formal than misdemeanor cases. Felonies are heard in higher courts that handle major criminal activity. There may be more hearings or reviews of evidence. Felonies usually have stricter procedural requirements. Since there is a possibility of harsher punishments, felony cases usually take longer than misdemeanors.

What Should I Do After Being Charged With a Felony DUI?

After being arrested, you generally should not talk about the facts of your case with others, post information about your case on social media websites, reach out to potential witnesses about their testimony, or disregard a court appearance. Things you say to others can sometimes be used against you in the future.

What Happens if I Have a Professional License and I Get Charged With a Felony DUI?

If you have a professional license and get charged with a felony DUI, you may have to disclose DUI charges and convictions to your professional licensing board. You could face discipline or investigations by your licensing agency if you have a felony DUI. Healthcare professionals, teachers, CDL holders, and other licensed professionals should be aware of issues outside of the criminal case. Each licensing agency has different requirements.

St. Martin Felony DUI Lawyer

At Miller Law Offices, we understand felony DUI laws and can help you understand how they apply to your case. Contact us today to speak with our team. Put our knowledge and experience on your side.

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