Felony DUI Lawyer

Criminal Defense Lawyer John E. MacDonald, Inc. of Providence, Rhode Island

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Experienced Felony DUI Defense Attorney

Since a DUI is typically considered a misdemeanor, it probably comes as no surprise that a felony DUI is much more serious. Felony DUI charges can lead to exorbitant fines, lengthy jail sentences, and other penalties. If you’ve been charged with a DUI that ranks as a felony, it’s important to work with an attorney that specializes in felony DUI cases. Felony DUI lawyer John E. MacDonald has been handling felony DUI cases for decades and can guide you through this challenging time. 

Felony DUI lawyer John E. MacDonald has extensive experience representing clients facing alcohol-related driving offenses. The law office of John E. MacDonald has successfully defended clients charged with the most severe felony DUI charges. He understands that a felony DUI charge can be a scary and complicated experience. Remember that you don’t have to leave your future to chance. Contact the law office of John E. MacDonald today to discuss your felony DUI case.

Results Achieved by Rhode Island DUI Lawyer John E. MacDonald

  • criminal defense reviewsDUI Dismissed and Criminal History Sealed – Client was charged with a first offense DUI and a refusal to submit to a chemical test, in this case a breathalyzer. Attorney MacDonald was hired and immediately went to work reviewing the police reports and witness statements. Flaws relating to the initial stop of the vehicle resulted in the dismissal of all charges and the sealing of the criminal history.

    I was extremely pleased with John’s representation. If I went at this alone, I would have surely pled guilty and still be facing severe license and insurance issues. — Paul M.
  • criminal defense reviewsDUI Charge Amended and Refusal Dismissed – Client was charged with both DUI and refusal to submit to a breathalyzer. Attorney MacDonald worked with the town solicitor to ensure that the DUI was amended to a reckless driving for no further loss of license and the refusal was dismissed. After one year, the criminal history was cleaned.

    John kept me driving throughout the process and I never missed a day of work. My record is now clear. I can’t thank him and his office enough for their hard work. — Krystal C.
  • criminal defense reviewsDriving to Endanger with Serious Bodily Injury case resolved with No Jail – Client was charged with driving to endanger resulting in serious bodily injury. The resulting accident caused significant injuries to a nearby pedestrian. Attorney MacDonald successfully convinced the sentencing judge not to impose jail for his client, despite the fact that a co-defendant received several years in prison.

    John kept me driving throughout the process and I never missed a day of work. John saved our family in more ways they he could know. He was professional, timely, and cared about our case. The night we needed him I was given three lawyers numbers, John called me back at 3 in the morning to make sure we were taking care of had representation immediately in place for the next day. We could never thank him enough for the patience, hard work and dedication to produce a positive outcome. — Melissa H.
  • criminal defense reviewsRI DUI – Drunk driving charge and breath test refusal charge dismissed for failure to prove operation of the vehicle.
  • criminal defense reviews Rhode Island DUI – DUI case dismissed for failing to comply with discovery request.
  • criminal defense reviews RI DUI – Drunk driving charges dismissed for break in the chain of observation of client.
  • criminal defense reviews DUI – Drunk driving charge and breath test refusal charge dismissed based upon the pre-mature arrest of a client without probable cause.
  • criminal defense reviewsDrunk Driving and Breath Test Refusal – Client was charged with drunk driving and breath test refusal. Client was found not guilty after trial or charges reduced and/or dismissed with no loss of driver’s license every year since 1997.
  • criminal defense reviews Client was charged with leaving the scene of an accident that resulted in serious bodily injury. Our DUI defense led to no jail sentence.
  • criminal defense reviews Client was charged with drunk driving, death resulting. Our DUI defense led to no jail sentence.
  • criminal defense reviews Client was charged with drunk driving, death resulting. Our DUI defense led to a sentence of Work Release instead of jail time. Client was released after only one year.

Everything You Need to Know About a Felony DUI in Rhode Island

When facing the possibility of a felony DUI conviction, it’s imperative to contact a Rhode Island DUI attorney as soon as possible. Additionally, it can be helpful to gain a better understanding of what these charges mean, the extent of the penalties, and other details regarding a felony DUI in Rhode Island. Below you’ll find important information about a felony DUI. If you’d like to learn more about alcohol-related driving offenses and how a DUI lawyer can help, contact the law office of John E. MacDonald today. 

Is a DUI a felony in Rhode Island?

Generally, a DUI will be categorized as a misdemeanor offense. Misdemeanor offenses have a maximum limit of penalties. Misdemeanors can result in up to $1000 in fines and up to 1 year of jail time. Felonies, on the other hand, carry penalties with over $1000 in fines and more than 1 year in jail. 

A DUI only becomes a felony in Rhode Island if there are multiple DUI offenses and/or someone was seriously injured. See below for more information on what classifies as a felony DUI below. If your DUI was ranked as a felony or a misdemeanor, it’s important to work closely with a DUI lawyer. Contact the law firm of John E. MacDonald today to learn more about the differences in these offenses. 

When does a DUI become a felony in Rhode Island?

Felony DUI charges are significantly more serious than misdemeanor DUI charges. Felony DUI situations typically involve severe circumstances. This could mean a personal injury, physical injury, or an accident-related death occurred. You can be charged with a felony DUI in Rhode Island if: 

  • You’ve had 2 prior DUI charges with a 5-year timeframe. 
  • There was an accident that led to a personal injury, physical injury, or death. These incidences are also referred to as an aggravated DUI or DUI manslaughter. 

It is vital that you speak with a Rhode Island DUI felony attorney as soon as possible if one or both of the circumstances mentioned above apply to you. The sooner you call, the better the outcome. Contact felony DUI lawyer John E. MacDonald to schedule a free consultation. 

What are the penalties for a DUI felony conviction in Rhode Island?

The penalties for a felony DUI in Rhode Island will vary depending on the circumstances surrounding the arrest. For instance, the punishments will be different for simply being pulled over for a DUI for a third time within 5-years than if someone is seriously injured or a death occurs due to an accident.

If you’re arrested for having multiple DUI offenses, you may be facing penalties such as: 

  • License suspension of 3 years
  • Up to $400 in fines 
  • Prison sentence of up to 5 years 

If someone was injured or death resulted in an accident involving your DUI arrest, you may be facing penalties such as:

  • $20,000 in fines 
  • Prison sentence of up to 20 years 

There are other consequences for felony DUI’s in Rhode Island beyond the ones mentioned above. For instance, the state of Rhode Island may seize your vehicle, you may be required to attend alcohol treatment programs, or an IID (Ignition Interlock Device) may be installed in your car. An IID only allows a car’s engine to start after the driver has blown into the device without any detection of alcohol. As you can see, these penalties and punishments are serious for a felony DUI. When working with a felony DUI lawyer, you may be able to have your penalties lessened or even work towards a dismissal. Contact the law office of John E. MacDonald today to learn more about your options. 

Can you challenge Rhode Island DUI charges?

It is possible to challenge a DUI felony charge. In fact, the law firm of John E. MacDonald has defended many clients charged with felony DUI’s with much success, even in the most severe cases, such as aggravated DUI charges or DUI manslaughter charges. A Rhode Island felony DUI lawyer like John E. MacDonald will conduct comprehensive investigations into the arrest, compare sentencing data from similar cases, and aggressively defend his clients until cases are dismissed or penalties are minimized. To learn more about what felony DUI attorney John E. MacDonald can do for you, contact our law firm today. 

Why should I hire a Rhode Island felony DUI lawyer?

Many defendants will feel as though the cards are stacked against them, so they either choose to not hire a lawyer and simply plead guilty or work with public defenders. When you hire a skilled and experienced felony DUI lawyer, you’re exposed to options that you didn’t know were available. First, your DUI lawyer will conduct their own investigation into the arrest and may discover pertinent information that can change your case. Second, by working with a felony DUI attorney, you have someone there to support you, aggressively defend you, guide you through the process, and negotiate on your behalf. Lastly, it’s important to hire a DUI lawyer because judges take felony DUI’s seriously and will typically penalize offenders to the fullest extent of the law. You need a knowledgeable lawyer by your side to make sure your rights and your freedom are protected. 

Contact a Rhode Island Felony DUI Lawyer 

The law offices of John E. MacDonald are available to clients 24-hours a day, 7 days a week. Remember that the sooner you call, the better the results. Call today at 401.421.1440 for a free consultation to discuss your case with a felony DUI lawyer.