Will a Felony Conviction Impact my DUI Case?
It depends.
If the felony conviction was for a DUI and if your conviction occurred within ten years, then your conviction can be counted against you. However, if your conviction occurred more than ten years ago, then you are safe for the most part because any conviction for the same offense does not look good when you are trying to reduce the punishment you are potentially facing.
How to Reduce the Punishment
Show the progress that you have made since your conviction. For example, if you were experiencing a hard time when you were convicted 10 years ago and have changed since, then you can point to the progress that you have made. From my point of view, it doesn’t hurt giving information that may help the client. An example of the information that I am talking about are things like employment, reference letters, progress reports regarding any treatment you are receiving, and any objectives that are part of your treatment.
What if Your Conviction is Not DUI Related?
The chances of your conviction counting against you if you were not convicted of a DUI are less likely. In criminal court, the focus is what allegedly happened. In other words, charges focus on an act that supposedly occurred. Therefore, a felony conviction that happened ten years ago is not likely going to impact your case but can impact an offer from the opposing side.
We Can Help
If you’re facing a DUI charge and you also have a prior felony conviction, it imperative that you seek help from an experienced criminal defense lawyer. The Law Offices of Mark A. Gallagher has over 20 years of experience and has successfully handled countless DUI cases throughout Southern California. For your free consultation, please call our offices at 800-797-8406 or visit our website at https://www.socaldefenselawyers.com/ for more information. Remember, you don’t have to go through this alone, so give us a call to see how we can help today.
