Types of Crimes
A DUI is a crime classified as either a misdemeanor or felony. Determining factors include the severity of the situation and whether it is a repeat offense. For example, an initial DUI is usually considered a misdemeanor unless another individual was injured. If the driver kills another person, some states charge the individual with reckless homicide, a felony with very serious consequences.
Repeat DUI
In some states, even a DUI that does not result in injury is classified as a felony if it is a repeat offense. However, state laws vary and many feature time constraints. If a previous DUI conviction occurred prior to a certain period, often five or ten years, the subsequent conviction may not be considered a felony. This allows repeat offenders to slip through the cracks without suffering the full consequences.
Only a handful of states consider a second DUI a felony and several of these impose contingencies. In New York and Oklahoma, the previous DUI conviction must have occurred within ten years. The prior conviction timeframe is five years in Indiana. Minnesota considers a second DUI conviction a felony based on the circumstances, resulting in punishments determined on a case-by-case basis. Four states and the District of Columbia do not even have felony DUI laws.
Even individuals convicted of felony DUI might not serve jail time or may serve less than maximum sentences. None of the 161 felony DUIs occurring between 1999 and 2006 investigated by the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel involved serving maximum sentences. Only 43 percent of these individuals went to prison and they received average sentences of just 18 months.
According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, one-third of drivers convicted of DUI become repeat offenders. Several years ago, the organization Mothers Against Drunk Drivers (MADD) reported that two million drivers had been convicted of DUI at least three times. MADD has called for more effective consequences for first-time convictions to prevent repeat offenses. Repeat DUI offenders should beware and innocent drivers should retain experienced DUI lawyers to defend them in court.
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Taryn J. White is a legal research specialist and DUI law news reporter. Her current accomplishments include helping those facing any driving under the influence arrest charges, get free online assistance in learning how to fight a DUI case for the best possible outcome.
