An aggravated DUI is a charge for driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol that carries enhanced penalties due to the severity of the circumstances and other mitigating factors. As you may expect, aggravated DUIs tend to result in harsher sentences than just a standard first DUI charge.

If you have been charged with an aggravated DUI, it is in your best interest to speak with an attorney right away. A charge for aggravated DUI has serious consequences, so it is vital that you get legal representation to have the best chance of fighting back against these charges. The Murfreesboro DUI defense attorneys Dotson & Taylor, Attorneys at Law provide an aggressive defense against your aggravated DUI charge.

Vehicular Assault Aggravated DUI

If you caused someone to be severely injured due to your driving under the influence, you may be convicted of a Class D Felony. This is called vehicular assault and carries with it a penalty of anywhere from two to twelve years in prison, a fine of up to $5,000, and between one to five years of having your license revoked. The severity of the penalties depends on certain mitigating factors, such as a prior criminal record containing past DUIs.

Aggravated DUI—Vehicular Homicide

Vehicular homicide is an aggravated DUI charge that you face when someone is killed, and it was suspected to be a direct result of your impaired driving. Vehicular homicide is a Class B Felony, and this charge carries with it the following penalties:

-Eight to thirty years in prison

-A fine of up to $25,000

-License revocation for anywhere from 3-10 years, with no possibility for a restricted license

Aggravated DUI—Aggravated Vehicular Homicide

Another aggravated DUI charge is for aggravated vehicular homicide. Aggravated vehicular homicide occurs when you are suspected of killing another person due to driving under the influence of drugs, alcohol, or any medication that causes impairment and you have at least two prior DUIs, vehicular assaults, or you have at least one prior vehicular homicide; or you have one prior DUI and a blood alcohol content level of .20% or more. Aggravated vehicular homicide is a Class A Felony with severe punishments. For a conviction of this charge, you may be sentenced to anywhere from 15-60 years in prison as well as a fine of up to $50,000.

Aggravated DUI—DUI Involving a Minor

Another type of aggravated DUI charge involves driving with a minor. If you are convicted of DUI with a minor passenger in your vehicle, even if it is your first DUI and the minor was not injured, you face a minimum sentence of 30 days in jail and a fine of $1,000. If the minor passenger (anyone under the age of 18) is injured in the accident, it becomes a Class D Felony if the minor is seriously injured. If the minor passenger is killed in the accident, it then becomes a Class B Felony. The sentencing will depend on the circumstances of the accident, as well as other mitigating factors, such as prior DUIs and any criminal record.

Aggravated DUI charges are very serious. Contact the experienced Tennessee DUI and criminal defense attorneys at Dotson & Taylor, Attorneys at Law right away to get started on defending your case. We can be reached online or by calling 615-890-1982 to schedule a confidential consultation. At Dotson & Taylor, our team of nationally ranked Murfreesboro trial attorneys have more than 40 years of combined experience safeguarding clients' interests in criminal law matters. If you are facing serious aggravated DUI charges, contact us today.