Felony DUI Charges in Columbia

DUI Attorney in Columbia, South Carolina

Make no mistake: any DUI criminal charge is a serious matter, putting you at risk of harsh penalties and a criminal record which could follow you for years. Allegations of felony driving under the influence, however, could factually ruin your future. Under South Carolina Code of Laws §56-5-2945, driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol is charged as a felony in cases where an individual commits a criminal traffic violation such as reckless driving which results in an accident that causes great bodily injury or death to another person.

What is the penalty for a felony DUI conviction?

The sentence you could receive if found guilty of this crime depends on the severity of injury suffered in the drunk driving accident. If the victim sustained a great bodily injury-which includes any injury which creates a substantial risk of death, which causes major disfigurement or which results in some form of disability-you can be fined between $5,100 and $10,100 and incarcerated for a period ranging from a minimum of 30 days to a maximum of fifteen years.

If, on the other hand, you are accused of causing a fatal DUI accident you may be punished with fines between $10,100 and $25,100 and a prison sentence of 1 to 20 years. The law provides that you cannot serve a portion of the mandatory minimum sentence on probation. Upon your release from jail or prison, the DMV will suspend your driver's license, for three years if you caused great bodily injury or for five years if you caused death.

Hire an Attorney from Our Firm

Retaining the services of a Columbia DUI attorney from Masella Law Firm, P.A. may be the most effective action you can take towards clearing your name of the charges and avoiding the serious consequences you face. Our criminal defense team has widespread legal experience and a background that includes prosecuting offenses similar to yours. We understand what a stressful and frightening experience this may be for you, and will work diligently to help you find your way out of the criminal justice system as quickly as possible.