Felony DUI Attorney in Pensacola

Serious Charges, Focused Criminal Defense

If you are facing a felony DUI charge in or around Pensacola, you are dealing with a situation that can affect your freedom, your driver’s license, and your future for years to come. A felony conviction in Florida can mean time in custody, a permanent record, and serious limits on your work and personal life.

At Michael J. Griffith, P.A., we focus on defending individuals accused of crimes, including serious drunk driving offenses, throughout the Florida Panhandle. Our firm is led by attorney Michael J. Griffith, who has more than 40 years of legal experience and has been representing clients here since 1990. 

When you contact us, our goal is to review what happened, explain your options in clear terms, and help you make informed decisions about the road ahead.

If you or a loved one has been arrested on suspicion of a felony DUI, you can reach our team for a confidential consultation. Call us at (850) 495-7977 or contact us online to speak with our felony DUI defense attorney in Pensacola.

What Elevates a DUI to a Felony in Florida

Under Florida Statute § 316.193, most first and second-time DUI offenses are prosecuted as misdemeanors. However, certain "aggravating factors" will automatically trigger felony prosecution. As your Pensacola felony DUI lawyer, our first task is to determine which category the state has placed you in and whether we can challenge that classification.

• Third DUI Within 10 Years: If you are charged with a third DUI and your second conviction occurred within the last 10 years, it is classified as a Third-Degree Felony.
• Fourth or Subsequent DUI: A fourth DUI conviction at any point in your life, regardless of how much time has passed between arrests, is automatically a Third-Degree Felony.
• DUI Causing Serious Bodily Injury: If an accident involving impairment results in a victim suffering a substantial risk of death, serious personal disfigurement, or the loss of a bodily member or organ, you will face Third-Degree Felony charges.
• DUI Manslaughter: If a fatality occurs, the charge is a Second-Degree Felony. Under "Trenton's Law," a second DUI manslaughter conviction is now a First-Degree Felony, carrying up to 30 years in prison.
• Leaving the Scene: If you are involved in a DUI accident involving death or serious injury and leave the scene, the charges are significantly enhanced, often to a First-Degree Felony.

Penalties for a Felony DUI in Florida

A felony conviction in Florida carries a "permanent" weight that misdemeanors do not. We use our over 50 years of experience to fight for reductions or dismissals to avoid these outcomes:

• State Prison: A Third-Degree Felony carries up to 5 years in prison; a Second-Degree Felony carries up to 15 years; and a First-Degree Felony can result in 30 years.
• Mandatory Fines: Fines for felony DUIs range from $2,000 to $10,000, excluding court costs and restitution to victims.
• Permanent License Revocation: A fourth DUI conviction leads to the permanent loss of your driving privileges in Florida, with no eligibility for a hardship license.
• Ignition Interlock & Impoundment: Mandatory installation of an IID for at least two years and vehicle impoundment for up to 90 days.
• Felon Status: You will lose your civil rights, including the right to own a firearm and the right to vote, until they are formally restored by the state.
• Employment Impact: Many professional boards (nursing, teaching, law) will move to revoke licenses upon a felony DUI conviction.

Our Comprehensive Approach to Felony DUI Defense

Defending a felony DUI case requires careful attention to both the legal issues and the detailed facts of what happened. When you come to us, we start by reviewing all available information, such as police reports, any video from the stop or arrest, and the results of breath or blood tests. We look at how and why you were stopped, what the officers observed, and how they conducted field sobriety exercises or other testing.

At Michael J. Griffith, Attorney at Law, we provide a defense that is both analytical and aggressive. Our methodology includes:

• Forensic Lab Review: We don't just accept blood-alcohol results. We investigate the maintenance logs of the Intoxilyzer 8000 and the training records of the technician who drew your blood.
• Accident Reconstruction: In cases involving injury, we hire experts to prove that the accident was not caused by impairment, but by road conditions, mechanical failure, or the other driver's actions.
• "Stand Your Ground" & Necessity: In rare cases, we explore whether the driving was a result of an emergency or necessity, which can sometimes provide a complete defense.
• Personalized Advocacy: We present you as a human being, not a case number, highlighting your community ties and professional history to seek leniency from the court.

Why Choose Our Firm For a Felony DUI Charge

When a DUI case is charged as a felony, choosing the right defense lawyer becomes especially important. You are not just dealing with a traffic offense. You are facing a criminal accusation that can shape the rest of your life. Our firm focuses on defending individuals, not government agencies or corporations, and we treat each felony case as the serious matter it is.

Michael J. Griffith, P.A. is built around careful case analysis and direct communication with our clients. We review the facts, the charges, and your goals in detail before recommending any course of action. You work directly with our team, and we strive to keep you informed about what is happening in your case so you are never left guessing about the next court date or the meaning of a legal document.

Attorney Michael J. Griffith has been admitted to practice before the U.S. Supreme Court and has been named to the Top 100 Lawyers in Florida. Many of our cases come to us because former clients and other attorneys recommend our firm, which is a sign that people who know our work trust us with serious matters.

We also understand that communication is critical when you are under the stress of a felony drunk driving case. Our team explains your rights and options in plain language, and we are able to communicate in Spanish and French when needed, so that language is not a barrier to understanding your situation.

After a Felony DUI Arrest: Steps You Can Take Now

The actions you take soon after an arrest can also make it easier for a lawyer to understand what happened and advise you effectively. Staying organized, cautious, and proactive can reduce unnecessary stress and help you prepare for the road ahead.

Steps to take after a felony DUI arrest

• Review and organize your paperwork: Keep all documents from your arrest or release in one place, including charging documents, court dates, and driver’s license information.
• Write down your recollection: As soon as possible, note where you were, what you consumed, your interactions with officers, and anything you remember about sobriety or breath tests.
• Limit discussions about your case: Avoid talking about the details with friends, coworkers, or on social media, as those statements may be used against you.
• Contact a criminal defense lawyer promptly: Certain Florida deadlines can affect your license and early stages of the case. Speaking with an attorney early helps you understand timelines, expectations, and available options.

Talk With Our Team About a Felony DUI Charge

At Michael J. Griffith, P.A., we bring more than four decades of criminal defense experience, strong professional credentials, and a long history of defending individuals throughout the Florida Panhandle. 

We focus on thorough case reviews, individualized legal strategies, and clear communication at every stage of your case. If you or a family member would be more comfortable speaking Spanish or French, we can accommodate that need so everyone involved understands the path ahead.

We invite you to contact our office by calling (850) 495-7977 to arrange a confidential consultation about your felony DUI case. During that conversation, we review your paperwork, listen to your concerns, and explain how we can help you move forward.