Is a DUI a felony?

As an attorney, I am often asked if a DUI is considered a felony? DUIs have such a serious stigma attached to them, and a lot of people think of them as felonies. Fact of the matter is a DUI is not a felony. It is a misdemeanor charge–a class A misdemeanor–which is the most serious level of misdemeanor in Tennessee but it is not a felony. The only felony DUIs have to do with DUIs that are either a fourth offense or greater.

Sometimes a felony DUI in another state will be a situation for someone’s DUI and they cause serious bodily injury or death to another person. Your regular DUI where no one gets hurt, there is no accident, and you don’t have three or more priors is a misdemeanor charge.

Once it is on your record, it is there for the rest of your life. It cannot be expunged, it cannot be taken away. It does not drop off your record like a bankruptcy or something of that nature. It will always be there. Even though a DUI is not a felony in most circumstances, it is important to seek out representation as soon as possible.

If you have been charged with a DUI, give our firm a call today. We are here to help.