DUI with Injury/Accident
A DUI involving an accident and injuries is a different type of case than a straight DUI. It can either be charged as a misdemeanor or a felony. What makes the difference in charging is the severity of the injuries. If the injuries are minor you have a good chance that it will charged as a misdemeanor or provide the basis for a plea bargain reducing it to a misdemeanor.
Make sure your attorney thoroughly investigates the injuries. People tend to exaggerate their injuries in auto accident cases so they can get a good settlement from the insurance companies. Subpoena the insurance file and the doctor's records may well show that the injuries are just a sore neck. If the DA thinks the victim is exaggerating you will probably get a good plea bargain.
If the injuries are serious enough and your blood alcohol or driving conduct was aggravated enough you could go to prison even if it is your first offense. The juries also aren't quite as liberal as they are on a regular DUI. In a DUI with injury it becomes quickly apparent how serious driving under the influence is and they will be less likely to give you the benefit of the doubt. You need a seriously competent and experienced DUI lawyer for a case involving drinking and injuries.
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