A felony DUI charge in San Bernardino, California is one of the most serious offenses you can face related to driving under the influence. Unlike a misdemeanor DUI, a felony DUI can result in years in state prison, significant fines, a long-term loss of driving privileges, and a permanent criminal record. In addition to the legal penalties, a felony conviction can severely impact your career, reputation, and personal life.
If you have been arrested for felony DUI, you need experienced legal representation from a law firm that understands the complexities of these high-stakes cases. At Liberty Criminal Defense & Immigration, our felony DUI lawyers in San Bernardino, CA fight to protect your rights, challenge the prosecution’s evidence, and seek the most favorable outcome possible.
Most first-time DUI offenses in California are charged as misdemeanors. However, certain circumstances can elevate a DUI to a felony offense. You may face felony DUI charges in San Bernardino County if:
You have three or more prior DUI or wet reckless convictions within the past 10 years
You have a prior felony DUI conviction on your record
The DUI resulted in injury or death to another person
You were involved in a DUI accident causing great bodily harm
You were driving under the influence with a child in the vehicle and aggravating factors exist
Felony DUI charges carry life-changing consequences. It is critical to work with skilled San Bernardino felony DUI lawyers who know how to challenge these serious accusations and protect your future.
Felony DUI convictions in San Bernardino come with harsh penalties that can affect you for years. The specific penalties you face depend on the circumstances of your arrest, your prior record, and whether injuries were involved.
Typical penalties for a felony DUI in California may include:
16 months to 4 years in state prison
Additional prison time if someone suffered great bodily injury
Fines and penalty assessments totaling thousands of dollars
A four-year driver’s license revocation
Mandatory DUI education and treatment programs
Designation as a Habitual Traffic Offender (HTO)
Installation of an ignition interlock device
A permanent felony conviction on your criminal record
If the DUI caused a fatality, you could face even more serious charges such as gross vehicular manslaughter or second-degree murder, often referred to as a Watson Murder.
When a DUI results in injury or death, the stakes are significantly higher. Under California Vehicle Code Section 23153, driving under the influence and causing injury to another person is a felony offense.
In these cases, prosecutors may seek sentencing enhancements, which add time to your sentence for each victim who was injured. If the DUI led to a fatality, you could face vehicular manslaughter or even murder charges, both of which carry severe penalties.
Our felony DUI lawyers in San Bernardino, CA understand how to investigate these complex cases and build a defense that focuses on reducing the charges or penalties whenever possible.
Felony DUI cases are far more complex than misdemeanor DUIs. The legal issues, potential defenses, and available strategies require an attorney who has extensive experience in defending high-level criminal cases.
At Liberty Criminal Defense & Immigration, we provide:
A thorough review of police reports, field sobriety tests, and chemical test results
Independent investigation into the cause of the accident, if applicable
Challenges to the legality of the traffic stop or arrest
Review of prior convictions to determine if they can be excluded or challenged
Work with accident reconstruction experts and toxicologists
Negotiation with prosecutors for reduced charges or alternative sentencing
Aggressive representation at trial if needed
Our goal is to protect your freedom, reduce the long-term impact of the DUI charges, and fight for the best possible resolution in your case.
A felony DUI arrest also triggers administrative action through the California Department of Motor Vehicles. The DMV will attempt to suspend your driver’s license shortly after your arrest, regardless of whether you are convicted in court.
You have only 10 days from the date of your arrest to request a DMV hearing. If you fail to act, your license will be automatically suspended. Our legal team represents clients in both DMV hearings and criminal court to ensure your rights are protected on all fronts.
Our attorneys have extensive experience handling DUI cases in San Bernardino County courts, including:
San Bernardino Justice Center
Rancho Cucamonga Courthouse
Fontana Courthouse
Victorville Courthouse
Joshua Tree Courthouse
We proudly represent clients from all areas of the county, including San Bernardino, Fontana, Ontario, Rancho Cucamonga, Rialto, Redlands, Hesperia, Victorville, and surrounding communities. Our familiarity with the local courts, judges, and prosecutors allows us to provide strategic defense tailored to the specifics of your case.
When you are facing felony DUI charges, choosing the right legal representation is critical. At Liberty Criminal Defense & Immigration, we are committed to providing aggressive, results-driven defense for clients facing the most serious DUI charges.
We offer:
Decades of combined experience handling complex DUI cases
A detailed understanding of DUI laws, science, and evidence
A personalized approach to building a strong defense
Proven results in reducing or dismissing felony DUI charges
Transparent communication and dedicated client support
We understand how stressful and overwhelming a felony DUI charge can be. Our team is here to guide you through every step of the legal process and fight for your future.
A DUI becomes a felony in California if you have three or more prior DUI convictions within the last 10 years, a prior felony DUI on your record, or if the DUI caused injury or death to another person. Felony DUI charges carry much harsher penalties than misdemeanor DUIs.
If convicted of felony DUI, you could face a state prison sentence ranging from 16 months to 4 years. Additional prison time may be added if the DUI caused injury or if sentencing enhancements apply.
Yes, depending on the facts of your case, a skilled DUI lawyer may be able to negotiate a reduction to a misdemeanor offense. Factors such as a lack of injury, weaknesses in the prosecution’s evidence, or procedural errors can lead to reduced charges.
A felony DUI arrest triggers both criminal court proceedings and administrative action by the DMV. Your license may be suspended, but you have the right to request a DMV hearing within 10 days to fight the suspension.
A felony DUI charge can change your life in an instant. You could be facing years in prison, permanent loss of your driver’s license, and damage to your future. The sooner you contact a qualified DUI defense attorney, the better your chances of achieving a favorable outcome.
Call Liberty Criminal Defense & Immigration today at 909-773-2356 to schedule a free consultation with our experienced felony DUI lawyers in San Bernardino, CA. We are ready to protect your rights, challenge the prosecution’s case, and fight for the best possible result.
