What Is a Felony DUI in Florida?

Strictly speaking, any first or second DUI, as long as there are no “aggravating factors,” will be considered a misdemeanour offense. To be charged as a felony, the offending driver would have to have caused some serious bodily harm, or even death, to another person or have a prior record of DUI convictions.
There are 4 ways in which a DUI can be charged as a felony in Florida:

• Three DUIs within 10 years: If you are convicted with 2 or more DUIs in the span of 10 years of a previous conviction, you can be charged with a felony DUI on a subsequent DUI. This will result in a fine as high as $5,000 and up to 5 years in prison.
• Four DUI offenses: No matter the number of years that have passed since a previous conviction, anyone who faces a fourth DUI offense will be charged with a third degree felony and given a fine of up to $5,000 and as many as 5 years in prison.
• If the DUI involves serious bodily injury: If serious bodily harm is brought to someone as a result of the offense, including any passengers within the car, then the offending driver will be charged with a third degree felony and punished with a fine up to $5,000 and up to 5 years in prison if convicted. In addition, the court may order the offender to pay the victim restitution, and cover any medical expenses, property damage or loss, rehabilitation, or lost income.
• DUI manslaughter: When the death of a human being occurs as a result of an impaired driver, the offense of DUI manslaughter has been committed. This is a felony of the second degree, and it’s punishable by a fine of up to $10,000 and as many as 15 years in prison if convicted. The offender may also have to pay restitution, as with a DUI involving serious bodily injury, however in the case of death the costs of any funeral-related expenses may also be added.