There’s no quiet way to say it: a felony DUI changes everything. One arrest, one decision, one allegation, and suddenly, your job, your license, your reputation, and even your freedom are in question. If you’re facing a felony DUI in Loveland, the steps you take next could determine the rest of your life.
But you don’t have to face them alone.
A skilled, local Loveland felony DUI lawyer does more than handle paperwork. They fight to protect your future. At The Harrell Law Firm, PLLC, we bring experience, local insight, and fearless legal strategy to defend you when the stakes are at their highest. Attorney Sean Harrell understands the technical and emotional weight of felony DUI cases and is ready to fight for you. With transparent flat fees, direct access to your attorney, and a track record of helping clients move beyond their worst moments, we’re here to help you take the next step with confidence, not fear.
What Is a Felony DUI in Colorado?
In Colorado, most DUI charges are misdemeanors. But when certain aggravating factors are present, a DUI becomes a felony. The most common scenarios leading to a felony charge include:
- A fourth or subsequent DUI offense,
- DUI involving serious bodily injury, or
- DUI resulting in someone’s death.
Felony DUI convictions can carry:
- Up to six years in state prison;
- Fines up to $500,000;
- Permanent loss of license;
- Mandatory alcohol treatment; and
- Lifetime consequences for employment, housing, and civil rights.
This is not the time to rely on just any defense attorney. You need a felony DUI lawyer who understands Colorado law inside and out and can meet the prosecution’s intensity with strategy, skill, and resolve.
Why Do Felony DUIs Require a Skilled Loveland Felony DUI Lawyer?
Felony DUI charges carry higher penalties, more aggressive prosecution, and more profound stigma. They require a skilled DUI lawyer who can challenge forensic evidence, anticipate the prosecutor’s strategy, and humanize the person behind the charge.
Here’s how felony DUI defense differs from typical DUI cases:
- The consequences are more severe. You’re not just looking at jail, you’re looking at prison.
- The evidence is often more complex. These cases may include blood tests, accident reconstruction, or expert toxicologists.
- The emotional toll is greater. When there’s an injury or death involved, public and courtroom pressure intensifies.
- The social stakes are higher. A felony conviction can impact everything from your ability to vote to your right to own a firearm.
Because of this, your lawyer must be more than competent; they must be strategic, relentless, and unshakably in your corner. At The Harrell Law Firm, PLLC, we bring the local experience, courtroom grit, and personal attention that high-stakes DUI defense demands.
What Can a Felony DUI Lawyer Do for Me?
We do more than guide clients through the criminal justice system. We fight back. An experienced lawyer will build your defense through careful investigation and tactical preparation. Depending on your case, we may:
- Challenge the traffic stop or arrest procedures. Unlawful stops, missing Miranda warnings, or procedural violations can suppress key evidence.
- Review and dispute the forensic evidence. Blood and breath tests must follow strict chain-of-custody and scientific protocols. If they don’t, we’ll expose it.
- Investigate accident details. In cases involving injury or death, we bring in independent accident reconstruction experts to verify fault and causation.
- Negotiate for reduced charges or alternative sentencing. Some clients qualify for probation, community corrections, or treatment-based diversion.
- Prepare your case for trial. Even if a plea is likely, we prepare as if a trial is inevitable. That posture alone can result in better outcomes.
No matter the strategy, we make sure your side of the story is heard and respected.
Why Clients in Loveland Trust The Harrell Law Firm, PLLC
Your defense shouldn’t feel like guesswork. It should feel like a plan. That’s what you get at The Harrell Law Firm, PLLC. Sean is one of Colorado’s Top 100 Criminal Defense Lawyers (as named by The National Trial Lawyers). Our firm offers the rare blend of courtroom grit and human understanding you need when facing charges. When you hire us, you receive:
- Flexible fee options. We offer flat-fee, hourly, and hybrid pricing so you know what you’re paying and why.
- Free consultations. We believe in answering questions before asking for commitments.
- Direct access to Sean. No call centers or junior attorneys. You deal with the lawyer who owns the firm.
- Local insight and experience. Our roots run deep in Loveland. We know the local courts, judges, and procedures.
- High-stakes litigation experience. Sean has defended clients in cases involving repeat offenses, injury, and vehicular homicide.
You’re not just hiring a firm. You’re partnering with an advocate who sees you, hears you, and fights like your future depends on it—because it does.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is a Fourth DUI Really a Felony in Colorado?
Yes. Colorado law makes a fourth or subsequent DUI a Class 4 felony, regardless of how long ago the prior offenses occurred or where they happened.
What Is the Difference Between a Felony DUI and Vehicular Assault?
Felony DUI typically refers to repeat offenses. Vehicular assault occurs when a DUI results in serious bodily injury to another person and is also a felony, often charged alongside DUI.
Will I Automatically Go to Prison If Convicted?
Not necessarily. Some individuals qualify for probation, community corrections, or alcohol treatment programs. Much depends on the circumstances and your legal defense.
Can I Lose My Professional License?
Yes. A felony DUI conviction may trigger disciplinary action or revocation of licenses for nurses, teachers, realtors, and other licensed professionals. We help mitigate these collateral consequences.
What Happens If Someone Dies?
If the DUI led to a fatal accident, the charge becomes vehicular homicide, a Class 3 felony punishable by up to 12 years in prison. These cases require an immediate, aggressive defense.
Can I Seal or Expunge a Felony DUI in Colorado?
No. Colorado does not allow sealing or expungement of felony DUI convictions. That’s why early, strategic intervention is so crucial.
What Should I Do Within the First Few Days of Arrest?
Request a Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) hearing within seven days to challenge your license suspension. Then, contact qualified Loveland felony DUI lawyers who can begin building your defense immediately.
Will a Felony Affect My Immigration Status?
Yes. Felony convictions, especially those involving alcohol, can result in deportation or inadmissibility. If you’re a non-citizen, you need legal counsel immediately.
When Your Life Is on the Line, Contact The Law Harrell Law Firm, PLLC
A felony DUI is not just a legal problem; it is a personal crisis. But it’s one you do not have to face alone. At The Harrell Law Firm, PLLC, we bring strategy, clarity, and commitment to every case. Our clients aren’t statistics. They’re parents, workers, partners, and community members who made a mistake or were misunderstood by a system that doesn’t always take time to listen. If you’re searching for a Loveland felony DUI lawyer near me who will treat your case like it’s their own, we’re here. Schedule your free consultation today, and let us begin protecting your future. With local knowledge, proven results, and compassionate representation, we’re ready to fight for you.