Felony DUI Attorney in Eagle

Penalties and Collateral Consequences of a Felony DUI Conviction in Eagle

The penalties associated with a felony DUI conviction in Idaho are severe and designed to have a long-term impact on the individual's life. Our firm emphasizes this gravity because the primary goal in these cases is always to prevent or reduce the felony conviction.

Direct Felony DUI Penalties

• Third DUI Offense (Felony)
  • Mandatory minimum sentence: 30 days in jail
  • Maximum sentence: Up to 10 years in prison
  • Fines: Up to $5,000
  • License suspension: Up to 5 years (including 1 year absolute suspension)
• Aggravated DUI (Felony)
  • Mandatory minimum sentence: 30 days in jail
  • Maximum sentence: Up to 15 years in prison
  • Fines: Up to $5,000
  • License suspension: Up to 5 years (including 1 year absolute suspension)
• Second Excessive DUI (Felony)
  • Mandatory minimum sentence: 30 days in jail
  • Maximum sentence: Up to 5 years in prison
  • Fines: Up to $5,000
  • License suspension: Up to 5 years

Note: Upon release from prison or jail, the defendant will be required to maintain an Ignition Interlock Device (IID) for at least one year as a condition of driving reinstatement.

Collateral Consequences of a Felony Conviction

The long-term impact of a felony DUI extends far beyond the prison gates and often lasts a lifetime. This is the central consequence an Eagle felony DUI lawyer works to avoid:

• Loss of Civil Rights: A felony conviction can result in the loss of your right to vote (until completion of sentence) and the loss of your right to possess a firearm.
• Employment Barriers: Most professional licenses (real estate, medical, financial) will be revoked or denied, and finding any employment will become exponentially harder, as a felony record screens out applicants instantly.
• Housing and Travel: Felons face severe restrictions in securing certain types of housing and are often barred from entry into foreign countries, including Canada.
• Probation and Parole: Sentences are often followed by years of supervised probation or parole, placing severe limits on movement, association, and lifestyle.

Our Comprehensive Approach to Felony DUI Defense

As your chosen felony DUI attorney in Eagle, Atkinson Law Office, PLLC employs a sophisticated defense methodology tailored to the specific nature of your felony charge—whether it’s Aggravated or a Repeat Offense.

Aggravated DUI Defense Strategy

The key to defending Aggravated DUI is challenging causation, not just impairment:

• Accident Reconstruction Review: We retain expert witnesses, when necessary, to review the accident scene, vehicle damage, and police reports to show that the impairment was not the direct cause of the great bodily harm. For example, if the victim was a pedestrian, we challenge whether the pedestrian's actions or a road defect were the primary cause of the collision.
• Injury Assessment: We challenge the prosecution's claim of "great bodily harm," potentially using medical expert testimony to argue that the injuries, while serious, do not meet the high legal standard for a felony enhancement under Idaho law.

Repeat Offender Defense Strategy

The central defense for a third-offense felony DUI is to invalidate a prior conviction:

• Constitutional Challenge: We meticulously review the prior court transcripts to ensure the client was fully advised of their constitutional rights, particularly the right to counsel. If any prior DUI was uncounseled and resulted in jail time, it may be invalid for enhancement purposes.
• Chronological Challenge: We scrutinize the ten-year look-back period under Idaho Code 18-8005 to ensure the prior convictions fall within the statutory window. Our firm leverages this technicality to argue for a reduction back to a misdemeanor offense.

Our firm is committed to providing the kind of tenacious, specialized defense necessary to protect you from the crushing weight of a felony DUI conviction. We serve as a barrier between you and the full force of the Ada County Prosecutor’s Office.

Next Steps: What to Do After a Felony DUI Arrest in Eagle

What you do next can affect the entire outcome of your case. After a felony DUI arrest in Eagle, stay calm and avoid discussing the incident with anyone except your lawyer. Anything you say can be used against you, so exercise your right to remain silent until you have representation.

Take these key steps after a felony DUI arrest in Eagle:

• Contact an attorney immediately to protect your rights and build your defense
• Do not answer questions from law enforcement or prosecutors without your lawyer present
• Preserve all relevant documents, including your notice of hearing and police paperwork
• Write down everything you remember about the incident, while it is fresh in your mind
• Attend all scheduled court dates at the Ada County Courthouse or the court assigned for your case

There are short deadlines for requesting an administrative hearing about your license—a delay can mean automatic suspension. We strive to respond quickly when you reach out, helping you meet these deadlines and easing your stress from day one.

Talk With an Eagle Felony DUI Lawyer Today

Taking immediate action is vital. When you contact us, you get straightforward answers, genuine reassurance, and an advocate who understands both your worries and the local legal process. Our team will provide a confidential consultation—in person or virtually—so there is no need to wait or fear judgment.

We keep our representation accessible, consultations are always free, and you can speak with our team in the language you are most comfortable with. Let us be the support system you need in Eagle and throughout the Treasure Valley.

Call Atkinson Law Office at (208) 670-8164 to schedule your free consultation now.