A felony DUI charge changes everything. This isn’t a traffic matter anymore. It’s a serious criminal case that could send you to prison for years. Washington classifies fourth DUI offenses within ten years as Class B felonies—the same category as assault and robbery. DUI causing serious bodily injury triggers felony charges regardless of prior history. The consequences reach far beyond any jail sentence: permanent felony record, loss of voting rights while incarcerated, firearm prohibitions, and barriers to employment and housing that never fully disappear.
You need a defense team that understands felony procedures and won’t be overwhelmed by what you’re facing. Eastside DUI has defended felony DUI cases in King County for 15 years. Our attorneys—Roberto Yranela, Matthew Skau, and Robin Tu—know how superior court operates, how felony prosecutors think, and what it takes to fight charges at this level. A Bellevue, WA DUI lawyer from our firm can assess your exposure and mount an aggressive defense.
Contact us for a free consultation.
Why Choose Eastside DUI For Felony DUI Defense In Bellevue, WA?
Superior Court Experience Matters
Felony DUI cases don’t stay in municipal or district court. They move to King County Superior Court—a different arena with different rules, different prosecutors, and different stakes. Twelve-person juries instead of six. Prosecutors from the felony unit rather than the misdemeanor division.
Roberto Yranela has defended clients facing felony charges since 2013. He understands superior court procedures, the King County Prosecuting Attorney’s approach to felony DUI, and how to build defenses that work at this level. His undergraduate degrees from the University of Washington and J.D. from Valparaiso University School of Law provided the foundation. A decade of practice in these courts built the experience that matters when prison time is on the table.
Recognized DUI Defense Credentials
Super Lawyers named Roberto Yranela to the Top 40 Under 40 for DUI defense. The National Trial Lawyers included him in their Top 40 Under 40. Avvo recognized him with a Client’s Choice award. These credentials reflect actual results across the full spectrum of DUI cases—including the most serious ones. When you need a DUI attorney in Bellevue prepared to defend felony charges, our record demonstrates that capability.
The Right Mindset for High-Stakes Defense
Felony cases require a different mentality. The prosecution has resources. They have time. They have the weight of prior convictions or serious injuries to point at. Effective defense means matching their intensity—investigating thoroughly, challenging aggressively, preparing as if every case is going to trial. That preparation creates leverage whether the case ultimately goes to verdict or resolves through negotiation.
What Our Clients Say
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ “Roberto was able to help me out and get two speeding tickets dismissed. Getting set up with him was an easy 10 minute phone call and pretty much everything else was taken care of for me from there. Very professional communication and he was great to work with. Would definitely work with him again if I get any more tickets.” – Tim Wick
Types Of Felony DUI Cases We Handle In Bellevue
Felony DUI charges arise in several circumstances. Our DUI defense attorneys handle each type with the attention these cases demand.
- Fourth offense DUI within ten years. Under Washington law, a fourth DUI arrest within ten years elevates the charge to a Class B felony. The lookback period uses arrest dates, not conviction dates. A Bellevue DUI lawyer examines your complete history to verify whether felony charges are actually warranted.
- DUI causing serious bodily injury. Any DUI that causes substantial bodily harm to another person becomes a felony—even a first offense. The injury element adds complexity: medical records, accident reconstruction, causation questions. These cases require comprehensive investigation.
- DUI causing death. Vehicular homicide charges can arise when impaired driving causes a fatality. These cases carry some of the longest potential sentences in Washington criminal law and demand the most thorough defense preparation.
- Felony DUI with high BAC. Elevated BAC levels don’t independently create felony charges, but they affect sentencing significantly if conviction occurs. Challenging breathalyzer results remains critical even when the felony charge stems from prior history rather than BAC level.
- Felony DUI with prior felony history. Defendants with previous felony convictions—DUI or otherwise—face additional scrutiny and potential sentencing enhancements. Knowing your rights after arrest becomes even more important when your record already includes serious offenses.
- Felony DUI with concurrent charges. Hit-and-run, reckless endangerment, assault—felony DUI often comes packaged with additional charges that compound exposure and complicate defense strategy.
Washington Legal Requirements For Felony DUI
Washington law establishes specific criteria for felony DUI charges and prescribes severe penalties upon conviction.
Under RCW 46.61.502(6), a person commits felony DUI when charged with DUI while having three or more prior offenses within ten years. The prior offenses can include DUI convictions, physical control convictions, deferred prosecutions, and equivalent out-of-state offenses. The ten-year lookback runs from arrest date to arrest date.
Felony DUI is a Class B felony carrying up to ten years in prison and fines up to $20,000. The Washington State Sentencing Guidelines establish presumptive sentencing ranges based on offense severity and criminal history score. First-time felony offenders typically face 13-17 months; those with extensive criminal history face significantly more.
Vehicular assault under RCW 46.61.522 applies when impaired driving causes substantial bodily harm. This is also a Class B felony with similar penalties. Vehicular homicide under RCW 46.61.520 is a Class A felony when death results—carrying potential life imprisonment.
The Washington Department of Licensing imposes administrative consequences separate from criminal penalties. Felony DUI conviction triggers license revocation that extends well beyond misdemeanor timeframes. A DUI lawyer in Bellevue addresses both the criminal prosecution and the administrative proceeding to protect your interests on all fronts.
Felony cases proceed through the Washington State Courts superior court system rather than district or municipal courts. Different procedural rules apply. A Bellevue DUI attorney experienced in superior court practice navigates these procedures effectively.
Felony DUI Defense Strategies In Bellevue
A Bellevue felony DUI lawyer approaches these serious charges with comprehensive defense strategies:
- Challenging prior conviction validity. The prosecution must prove each prior conviction qualifies as a predicate offense for felony enhancement. Constitutional defects in prior cases—inadequate counsel, improper plea colloquies, rights violations—can invalidate those priors. Eliminating even one prior from the calculation could reduce felony charges to misdemeanor status.
- Attacking the current stop and arrest. Constitutional protections apply regardless of your history. Police needed reasonable suspicion for the stop and probable cause for the arrest. Suppressing evidence from an unlawful stop undermines the entire prosecution. Knowing what to avoid saying during any police encounter preserves these arguments.
- Scrutinizing lookback calculations. The ten-year window for felony enhancement must be calculated precisely. Arrest dates matter, not conviction dates. Errors in the prosecution’s chronology could mean the difference between felony and misdemeanor exposure. Our drunk driving defense team verifies every date independently.
- Challenging causation in injury cases. When felony charges stem from injuries rather than prior history, the prosecution must prove your impairment caused the harm. Alternative explanations—the other driver’s conduct, road conditions, mechanical failure—create reasonable doubt about causation.
- Negotiating charge reductions. Even in felony cases, evidence weaknesses create negotiating leverage. Reducing a felony to gross misdemeanor eliminates prison exposure and preserves more of your future. Prosecutors evaluate whether their evidence actually supports felony conviction before proceeding to trial.
- Preparing for trial. Felony juries consist of twelve citizens who must reach unanimous verdict. That’s twelve opportunities for reasonable doubt. Working with a DUI defense attorney prepared to try your case—with witnesses, specialists, and comprehensive preparation—forces the prosecution to prove their case rather than relying on your record.
Contact Eastside DUI
Felony DUI charges represent the most serious consequences Washington’s DUI laws can impose. Prison measured in years. A permanent felony record that affects every aspect of your future. Our Bellevue felony DUI lawyers have spent 15 years defending clients against these charges—challenging evidence, exposing weaknesses, and fighting for outcomes that protect our clients’ freedom and futures.
We offer free consultations to assess your case and explain your realistic options. DUI defense fees start at $3,500, and we discuss all costs openly before you commit to anything.
Prison time is not inevitable. Effective defense can change outcomes. Contact Eastside DUI today.
