California Laws

Despite the severe criminal penalties for a drunk driving conviction, most DUIs in California are charged as misdemeanors. However, some DUIs can be charged as a felony. California Vehicle Code 23153 is the felony DUI section, and it basically states that: it is unlawful for 1) a person to drive a vehicle 2) under the influence of alcohol and/or drugs, 3) while driving under the influence, the driver commits an illegal act or drives negligently, and 4) that illegal act or negligence causes injury to another person other than the driver. This is also known as a DUI causing bodily injury.

In most cases, DUI causing bodily injury is charged as a felony, however, it can also be charged as a misdemeanor as well. The main focus of this article will be on felony DUI causing bodily injury.

Felony DUI Defenses

Before you plead guilty to a felony DUI charge, talk to an experienced DUI attorney. They will be able to investigate your case and identify your best defenses and fight for you in court. Defenses in a felony DUI case could include challenging the blood or chemical test evidence, showing there was no requisite traffic violation, or demonstrating that the driver was not impaired at the time of the accident.

California Vehicle Code 23153

Driving Under the Influence

Driving under the influence can include alcohol, drugs, or a combination of both. A driver can be convicted of drunk driving even if their blood alcohol content (BAC) is below the legal limit of 0.08%. Driving under the influence of drugs can include illegal and legal drugs, and even over-the-counter drugs if they impair the user’s ability to drive.

Vehicle Violations or Negligent Driving

Simply driving under the influence and injuring another person may not be enough to invoke a felony DUI charge. The driver generally has to violate some traffic law or be driving negligently. Some examples of this could include speeding, following too closely, failing to signal, failing to stop at a stop sign, failing to obey traffic signals, or driving without your headlights on at night.

Causing Injury to Another Person

Even a minor injury may lead to a felony DUI charge if anyone other than the driver is injured. This could include another driver, passenger in another vehicle, passengers in the intoxicated driver’s vehicle, cyclists, pedestrians, and others.

FELONY DUI IN CALIFORNIA – VEHICLE CODE 23153 VC

California Laws

Felony DUI Defenses

California Vehicle Code 23153

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