Felony DUI

Bakersfield Felony DUI Lawyer 

Aggressive Defense Against Felony DUI Charges in Kern County 

When facing felony DUI charges in Bakersfield, you need a skilled and experienced legal team. At Middlebrook & Associates, we are dedicated to defending your rights and providing you with expert legal representation throughout the entire process. If you or someone you know is grappling with the complexities of a felony DUI case, our firm is here to help. We understand the gravity of these charges and the significant consequences they can bring. Let us guide you through the legal process and fight for your rights.

Call Middlebrook & Associates today at (661) 874-1325 or contact us online to schedule a meeting with our felony DUI attorney in Bakersfield!

When is a DUI a Felony in California?

Driving under the influence (DUI) in California is a severe offense. The distinction between a misdemeanor and a felony DUI often hinges on the case's specific circumstances. While most DUI cases are treated as misdemeanors, several situations can elevate the charges to a felony:

  • Prior Convictions: A DUI becomes a felony if the driver has three or more prior DUI convictions within the past ten years. These prior convictions can include both felony and misdemeanor DUIs.
  • Injury or Death: If a DUI results in bodily injury or death to another person, it can be charged as a felony. Even if it's your first DUI offense, if it leads to a serious injury or fatality, you may face felony charges.
  • Prior Felony DUI: If you have prior felony DUIs on your record, any subsequent DUI arrests, regardless of the circumstances, will likely be charged as felonies.
  • Reckless Behavior: Extremely reckless behavior, such as excessive speeding, running red lights, or evading the police, can also lead to felony DUI charges, even if it's your first offense.

What are the Penalties for a Felony DUI in California?

Facing felony DUI charges in California can have life-altering consequences. The penalties for a felony DUI include:

  • Prison Time: Felony DUI convictions can result in a state prison sentence ranging from 16 months to 4 years. In some cases, the sentence can be even longer.
  • Fines: Heavy fines, often in the thousands of dollars, are imposed on those convicted of felony DUI.
  • Driver's License Suspension: Your driver's license will be suspended for an extended period, and you will have to install an ignition interlock device upon regaining driving privileges.
  • Probation: Felony DUI convictions often come with mandatory probation, including regular check-ins with a probation officer and compliance with specific conditions.
  • Restitution: If your DUI resulted in injury or death to another person, you may be required to pay restitution to the victim or their family.
  • Felony Record: A felony DUI conviction will result in a felony record, which can have long-lasting and far-reaching consequences for your personal and professional life.
  • Substance Abuse Treatment: You may be required to complete a court-ordered DUI program as part of your sentence.

Defenses Against Felony DUI Charges

Defending against felony DUI charges requires a thorough understanding of California DUI law and a strategic approach. At Middlebrook & Associates, our team of skilled Bakersfield felony DUI lawyers has the knowledge and experience to mount a strong defense. Some of the common defenses we may employ include:

  • Challenging Evidence: We can examine the evidence against you, including the results of field sobriety and breathalyzer tests, to identify potential errors or inaccuracies.
  • Illegal Stops or Arrests: If law enforcement did not have a valid reason to stop or arrest you, we can challenge the legality of the stop, potentially leading to the dismissal of charges.
  • Medical Conditions: Certain medical conditions or medications can produce false-positive results on DUI tests. We can investigate whether any underlying medical issues affected your arrest.
  • Procedural Violations: We will scrutinize the entire process to ensure that law enforcement and prosecution follow proper procedures at every stage of your case.
  • Negotiation and Plea Bargaining: In some cases, it may be possible to negotiate with the prosecution to reduce your charges to a lesser offense, which can significantly reduce the penalties you face.

Contact Our Bakersfield Felony DUI Attorney Today

When facing felony DUI charges in Bakersfield, you need dedicated and experienced legal representation to navigate the complex legal landscape. At Middlebrook & Associates, we are committed to protecting your rights and achieving the best possible outcome for your case. We understand the severe consequences of felony DUI convictions and will work tirelessly to provide you with a strong defense. 

Contact Middlebrook & Associates today to meet with our felony DUI lawyer in Bakersfield!

Why Choose Middlebrook & Associates?

  • 38 Years of Collective Legal Experience
  • Over 250 DUI Trials Handled - With a 97.4% Success Rate
  • Handled More Than 8,500 DMV Hearings in Kern County
  • Expert Member of California DUI Lawyers Association
  • ACS-CHAL Forensic Lawyer - Scientist Designation
  • AV Rated by martindale.com - Leading Authority on Attorney Ratings
  • Teaches Lawyers & Scientists - DUIDLA, American Academy of Forensic Science & American Chemical Society
  • Founding & Board Member - DUI Defense Lawyers Association (DUIDLA)
  • Top 100 Lawyers in America - DUI Defense

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Client Testimonials Hear from Real People Who We've Helped
  • “If I am ever in need of an attorney again, there is no doubt I would hire Mr. Middlebrook's firm.”
    I was arrested for driving under the influence. After meeting with several lawyers, I retained Mr. Middlebrook to represent me. He took the time to listen and his advice and counsel was more than I could have asked for. Not only did he get my case dismissed, his fees were fair too. I have since referred my friend to Mr. Middlebrook and his case was dismissed too. If I am ever in need of an attorney again, there is no doubt I would hire Mr. Middlebrook's firm.
    - J.T.
  • “We are very grateful to Mr. Middlebrook for his extremely professional handling of our daughter’s case”
    By way of background, I am a civil trial lawyer who practices law in another state. In 2020, after a questionable traffic stop, my daughter was arrested for DUI. Our family engaged Mr. Middlebrook to assist her. After he reviewed the evidence, Mr. Middlebrook identified the weaknesses in the State’s case and formulated a trial strategy to include the retention of an appropriate expert witness. While waiting for trial, Mr. Middlebrook prevailed in the administrative proceeding allowing my daughter to retain her driver’s license pending trial. After plea negotiations fell through, we went to trial on the criminal case. I have over 35 years of experience in a courtroom and have tried dozens of cases to verdict. On the first day of trial, I could tell that Mr. Middlebrook had the respect of the trial judge and the prosecutor. He developed an excellent rapport with the jury. In his examination of the expert witnesses for each side, Mr. Middlebrook demonstrated a deep understanding of the science related to DUI cases. His cross-examination of the arresting officer was respectful while making the officer appear to be, at best, incompetent in his handling of the stop and administration of the breathalyzer test. The jury acquitted my daughter on one charge and deadlocked on the other. An acceptable plea agreement on the remaining charge was thereafter reached allowing for all charges to eventually be dismissed and expunged from her record. We are very grateful to Mr. Middlebrook for his extremely professional handling of our daughter’s case, and I highly recommend him.
    - Ken I.
  • “Best DUI Attorney Around!”
    Mr Middlebrook came highly recommended by a friend who is also an attorney. Mr Middlebrook's knowledge and experience was immediately evident to me during our first conversation about my DUI citation. While I've heard all too often that it's not worth trying to fight a citation for a DUI, he gave me the confidence to do so when I ended up getting one. From that day forward he and his team took care of everything and kept me well informed throughout the process. He was very responsive to any questions I had and while he provided options at every stage along the way, his advice (which you'd have to be a fool not to follow given his track record in these cases) prompted me to pursue the best outcome possible rather than settle for less. He knew he could win and he did. My case was dismissed by the judge before it ever made it in front of a jury. I couldn't be more thankful to him and to my friend for the reference. Hopefully this recommendation will help others achieve a similar outcome by utilizing his expertise. He's worth every penny. Give him a call and speak to him just once about his experience and advice as it pertains to your specific situation. You'll understand what I mean.
    - Eric
  • “From the moment you walk into the office the staff is gracious and accommodating.”
    From the moment you walk into the office the staff is gracious and accommodating. They do their best to make you feel like they actually care about you and your case. Mr. Middlebrook is very knowledgeable and takes the time to answer all your questions. If you are looking for a caring, hard working and knowledgeable attorney I would highly recommend The Law Office of Richard O. Middlebrook.
    - Name Withheld