Southern California Man Sentenced to 11 Years in Prison for Felony DUI Conviction

In California, a person may be charged with a felony for driving under the influence if someone other than the driver is injured in an accident.  If you were driving under the influence, and you cause injury another person while doing so, prosecutors will likely charge you with “DUI with injury” under California Vehicle Code section 23153.

California Vehicle Code section 23153 states in pertinent part that “it is unlawful for any person, while under the influence of any alcoholic beverage or drug, or under the combined influence of any alcoholic beverage and drug, to drive a vehicle and concurrently do any act forbidden by law, or neglect any duty imposed by law in driving the vehicle, which act or neglect proximate causes bodily injury to any person other than the driver.”

The punishment for a felony DUI conviction can be up to four years in custody. In this case, the court sentenced the defendant to eleven years in state prison.  The defendant pleaded guilty to CVC 23153 for driving under the influence of methamphetamine and for leaving the scene of the accident (CVC 20001). A nineteen year-old woman and her two young children were injured as the defendant’s vehicle struck them while they attempted to cross the street.

The Newport Beach felony DUI attorneys at Wallin & Klarich have been successfully defending persons accused of felony DUI with injury for over 30 years.  Hiring an experienced Newport Beach felony DUI lawyer can greatly increase your chances of keeping your freedom. Please contact our firm by calling (877) 4-NO-JAIL or (877) 466-5245 to receive immediate assistance.