A felony record also carries “collateral consequences” — diminished job prospects, immigration issues, firearm restrictions, and stigma in housing or licensing.
The **legal threshold** does not require proof that the driver *intended* to hurt anyone. DUI is typically treated as a strict-liability or negligence-based offense: it is enough felony dui that the defendant drove while impaired under conditions defined by statute, and that the elevating factor (such as injury or prior convictions) exists.
Felony DUIs are handled in higher courts and often involve more complex litigation — accident reconstruction, toxicology challenges, suppression motions, or plea negotiations to lesser offenses. Because the stakes are much higher, defendants commonly retain counsel or receive appointed felony-grade defense.
In short, **felony DUI** is a legally upgraded form of impaired driving triggered by repeat offending, serious harm, or aggravating factors — carrying consequences that extend well beyond short-term punishment and can affect a person’s life permanently.
DUI within 10 years is a felony in the Peach State. Other states are more aggressive, such as Michigan. About 15 years ago, all lookback periods were abandoned.
In NC, the lookback is for 7 years for repeat offenders, but the Tar Heel State counts the seven years by measuring the date of the last conviction to the date of the new arrest. Georgia and Mississippi use dates of arrest for measuring DUIs, except that Mississippi now looks at a driver’s lifetime DUI record, when a DUI fourth offense is accused.