Serving Sacramento County and Beyond Felony DUI

We represent good people who find themselves, on occasion, on the wrong side of the law. We have extensive trial experience and are proven litigators. We have handled every type of criminal case from A to Z.

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Step 1: The Arrest

Don’t let the police take advantage of you while you’re in custody. Call Walsh Law right away, and we’ll get to work protecting your rights so you don’t inadvertently self-incriminate.
Step 2: The Arraignment

Walsh Law is an aggressive Folsom criminal defense firm that can argue for reasonable bail and help you await the end of your case from the comfort of your home.
Step 3: Pre-Trial Hearings

We’ll evaluate the prosecution’s case, challenge weak evidence and inconsistencies, and do our due diligence to get the charges against you reduced or dropped.

Citrus Heights Felony DUI Lawyer

Serious Felony DUI Charges Need Serious Defense

A felony DUI charge can upend your life in an instant. One arrest can put your freedom, your driver’s license, and your future at risk, especially if there are prior DUIs or an accident with injuries involved. If you are facing this kind of case in or around Citrus Heights, you are likely worried about what happens next and how to protect yourself.

At Walsh Law, we defend people accused of serious crimes, including felony-level drunk driving cases. Our firm is led by attorney Chris Walsh, a former Chief Assistant District Attorney with more than 19 years in criminal law and over 100 jury trials. We draw on that background to see your case from both sides and to build a defense that is grounded in how prosecutors actually think.

We intentionally keep our caseload limited, so when you call us about a felony DUI, your situation receives the attention it deserves. Our goal is to guide you through the court and DMV process, shoulder as much of the burden as we can, and work toward the strongest outcome the facts allow.

Call (916) 610-3558 or contact us online today to schedule a free consultation.

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Values You Can Relate To

Our Client Testimonials

“I have permanently added him to my contacts for any future needs. THANK YOU CHRIS!!”
“I am always able to get ahold of him directly either by cell or text including after hours and if for some reason he isn’t immediately available, he responds as soon as he can.”

- Melissa C.
“Mr Walsh is the very best!!”
“He was compassionate and explained to me what to expect in an easy way for me to understand. He was straightforward and delivered on what he said he could do for me!”

- Claudia H.
“I would like to thank Chris for helping me achieve a better deal.”
“I was in a bit of a situation and public defenders weren’t doing anything to help my case as if they didn’t have time. Which they don’t, but Chris Walsh did and came up with a few methods to fight my case.”

- Dewan P.

What is a Felony DUI?

In California, most DUI offenses are charged as misdemeanors. However, certain circumstances elevate a DUI to a felony. A felony DUI typically involves aggravating factors such as prior DUI convictions, injuries to others, or extremely dangerous driving behavior.

A felony DUI charge means the case will be handled in felony court, exposing you to significantly harsher consequences than a standard DUI. A conviction can impact your freedom, career, professional licenses, and future opportunities.

Common Types of Felony DUI in California

California law recognizes several scenarios where a DUI may be charged as a felony. Some of the most common types include:

Felony DUI with Prior Convictions

If you have three or more prior DUI convictions within 10 years, a new DUI offense may be charged as a felony—even if no one was injured. Prior convictions can include DUI, wet reckless, or out-of-state DUI equivalents.

DUI Causing Injury

A DUI becomes a felony if someone other than the driver suffers an injury as a result of the incident. These cases are often charged under California Vehicle Code §23153 and may involve allegations of negligence or reckless conduct.

DUI Manslaughter

If a DUI accident results in a fatality, the driver may face charges such as DUI manslaughter or gross vehicular manslaughter while intoxicated. These are among the most serious DUI-related offenses and carry lengthy prison sentences.

To talk with our team about a felony DUI case and learn how we can help, call (916) 610-3558.

Felony DUI Due to Prior Felony DUI

If you were previously convicted of a felony DUI and are arrested again for DUI, the new offense can automatically be charged as a felony, even without injuries or additional aggravating factors.

Penalties for Felony DUI

The penalties for a felony DUI in California are severe and depend on the specific charges, prior record, and whether injuries or deaths were involved. Potential consequences may include:

State prison sentences ranging from 16 months to several years
County jail time in certain felony DUI cases
Fines and penalty assessments totaling thousands of dollars
Driver’s license suspension or revocation, often for multiple years
Mandatory DUI programs and substance abuse treatment
Formal probation or parole
Restitution to injured victims
Designation as a convicted felon, which can affect employment, housing, and firearm rights

Because felony DUI penalties are so harsh, having a skilled Citrus Heights felony DUI lawyer advocating on your behalf can make a critical difference in the outcome of your case.

How a Citrus Heights Felony DUI Lawyer Can Help

Felony DUI cases are complex and often rely on scientific evidence, police procedures, and witness testimony. At Walsh Law, we take a strategic and detail-oriented approach to every felony DUI defense, which may include:

Reviewing the legality of the traffic stop or DUI checkpoint
Challenging breathalyzer or blood test accuracy
Examining whether your constitutional rights were violated
Analyzing causation in injury-related DUI cases
Negotiating with prosecutors for reduced charges or sentencing alternatives
Preparing a strong defense for trial when necessary

Early legal representation is especially important in felony DUI cases, as evidence must be preserved and deadlines must be met quickly.

Felony DUI FAQs

Is felony DUI a strike offense in California?

Some felony DUI convictions, particularly those involving serious injury or death, may qualify as a “strike” under California’s Three Strikes Law. This can dramatically increase future sentencing exposure.

Can a felony DUI be reduced to a misdemeanor?

In certain situations, yes. An experienced Citrus Heights felony DUI lawyer may be able to negotiate a reduction depending on the facts of the case, prior record, and available evidence.

Will I lose my driver’s license after a felony DUI arrest?

Yes, felony DUI arrests often trigger both criminal court penalties and administrative license actions by the DMV. You typically have only 10 days to request a DMV hearing after an arrest.

How long does a felony DUI stay on my record?

A felony DUI conviction generally remains on your criminal record permanently unless it is reduced, expunged, or otherwise modified under California law.

Should I talk to the police without a lawyer?

It is strongly advised that you speak with a lawyer before making any statements to law enforcement. Anything you say can be used against you in a felony DUI case.

Why Trust Our Team With a Felony DUI Case

When you are dealing with a felony DUI, you cannot afford to guess about your lawyer’s experience. You need to know who will be standing between you and the district attorney. At Walsh Law, your defense is led by Chris Walsh, who previously served as Chief Assistant District Attorney in Nevada County and as a deputy district attorney in Kings, Fresno, and Santa Clara counties. He has personally tried more than 100 jury trials, many of them serious and complex felonies.

That prosecutorial background matters in felony DUI cases. We understand how the district attorney evaluates blood or breath test results, prior convictions, and allegations of injury. We know what arguments typically persuade a jury and which weaknesses prosecutors worry about when they are deciding how far to push a case. We use that insight to examine police reports, lab records, and prior history for pressure points that can change the direction of your case.

Our firm focuses entirely on criminal defense, and we have handled every type of criminal charge from A to Z, including high-profile homicides and other high-stakes matters. We deliberately accept a limited number of cases so we have the time to dig into the details of each felony DUI, rather than pushing quick resolutions just to move files. Clients come to us during some of the hardest moments in their lives, and we respond with white-glove service and a blue-collar attitude. That means careful preparation, direct and honest advice, and a willingness to contest a case as far as necessary, even when things get tough.

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Meet Our Team

We know it’s easy to get swept up with emotions and confusion in the aftermath of being charged with a crime. That’s why our Folsom criminal defense attorneys aim to shoulder as much of the burden as we can, providing reassurance plus honest insight and advice where you need it.

Learn More About Us

Why Walsh Law?

Walsh Law’s mission is to be the gold standard of criminal defense by providing superior legal advocacy in the face of potentially life-changing consequences.

Chris Walsh is a former prosecutor, so we know what you’re up against when you face criminal charges. Now, clients like you get to benefit from what we’ve learned in our careers and how we apply what we know to get the results you’re after.

Reach Out For a Free Consultation

Protect Your Future

Schedule a Free Consultation Today

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Authenticity
White-glove service with a healthy dose of blue-collar attitude. We're straight shooters driven by our strong fighting spirit to prevail.
Determination
It's the hallmark of our style of practice. We'll contest every case as far as necessary, are laser-focused on getting results, and we'll press on even if the going gets tough.
Excellence
We strive to achieve the best results possible but are never satisfied with just that. We constantly seek opportunities for improvement and follow through to get better.
Intelligence
We work smart and hard. We know the intricacies of the law and won't miss a chance to jump on a case's weak spots. Our strengths lie in skillfully sifting through case details to identify what's most important to a jury and presenting the facts persuasively.
Quality
We take pride in what we do and our record of results. No matter what our clients are going through, we're committed to protecting their rights and acting in their best interest.