What Is a Federal DUI?

Federal DUI: What You Need To Know

Drunk driving charges pose a risk to your reputation, your job, and your basic rights, including your right to vote and bear arms. If you were charged with federal DUI charges, you likely have several questions about how these matters are handled in a federal court as opposed to a state court. Here’s what you should know and how to get the legal assistance you need.

WHAT CONSTITUTES FEDERAL DRINKING AND DRIVING

A Houston DWI becomes a federal DUI when the suspect is drinking and driving on federal land. For example, this includes U.S. military bases, national parks, airports, monuments, and the post office. It’s a common misconception that because the land is federal that the penalties are automatically worse.

This may not necessarily be the case. Like other drunk driving incidents, what charges a suspect faces is largely determined by the circumstances surrounding the event and the egregiousness of the suspect’s actions. Your penalties are likely to be stiffer the more intoxicated you were and if anyone was hurt or killed in a collision caused by you.

Potential Penalties and Defenses

Under federal law, drinking and driving are classified as a Class B misdemeanor. If you are convicted, you face a prison sentence of up to six (6) months and a fine of up to $5,000. These are serious penalties, particularly if this is your first offense and you don’t have a criminal record.

Depending on the facts of your case, your lawyer may use one or more defense strategies to represent you. For example, your attorney may attack the validity of the prosecution’s evidence, calling into question improper evidence handling or failure to administer BAC testing according to industry guidelines. Or, your lawyer may find that the police had no reason to stop your vehicle in the first place because you had not violated any laws and there was no reasonable suspicion to believe you had.

How a Texas Criminal Defense Lawyer Can Assist You

After getting arrested for drinking and driving on federal property, you should act quickly to protect your legal rights. A criminal defense attorney in Texas can help you do that. You stand to incur the best possible results by working with an experienced defense lawyer as soon as you can. Reach out to Segura & Kiatta Criminal Defense by calling 281.570.6400. Our team is available now to help.