Felony DUI Rancho Cucamonga

Charged with a felony DUI?

A felony filing is a charging decision, not a verdict, and the charge level and any priors can be challenged.

Kolacia Law brings a former prosecutor’s knowledge of how felony DUI cases are filed and proved to every stage of the defense.

Schedule a Consultation Call (714) 725-7072
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Seen in national and regional media, and recognized by respected legal and business organizations.

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Daniel Kolacia Founding Attorney of Kolacia Law
Daniel Kolacia Founding Attorney of Kolacia Law
Daniel Kolacia Founding Attorney of Kolacia Law
Daniel Kolacia Founding Attorney of Kolacia Law

As Seen In

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A Felony DUI Lawyer in Rancho Cucamonga Who Knows What Turns a DUI Into a Felony

For anyone who works under a license, a felony DUI conviction can bring months or years in custody, a multiyear revocation, a disqualified CDL, licensing-board scrutiny, higher insurance rates and a lifetime firearm ban. Kolacia Law practices only criminal defense.

A DUI becomes a felony when an impaired driver’s unlawful act or neglect injures someone, on a fourth DUI in 10 years, or after a prior felony DUI. Newly signed law adds a felony option for a third and makes a fifth a felony in every case. A death brings manslaughter or murder charges.

Within Rancho Cucamonga, sheriff’s deputies serve as city police; CHP handles area freeways. Felony arrestees typically go to West Valley Detention Center for booking and may be held on bail. The District Attorney prosecutes, and cases are generally heard, from arraignment through the preliminary hearing, at the Rancho Cucamonga Courthouse on Haven Avenue.

Felony DUI Defense Built on Trial Experience

Trial-Tested

Prior-conviction and injury allegations are prepared for a jury from the outset.

Former Prosecutor

Prosecution-side insight informs how each felony allegation is contested.

Focused on Getting Charges Dismissed

Invalid priors and unproven injury claims are targeted for dismissal.

Committed to Keeping You Out of Jail

Misdemeanor reduction, probation or treatment alternatives are sought where eligible.

Protecting Your License and Career

A multiyear revocation, a CDL, trade and professional licenses, gun rights and immigration are weighed early.

Felony DUI Charges We Defend in San Bernardino County

Felony DUI Based on Prior Convictions

  • Third DUI: 120 days to one year in jail; newly signed law adds a felony option.
  • Fourth DUI: 16 months to three years as a felony, or 180 days to one year as a misdemeanor.
  • Fifth or Later DUI: Always a felony under newly signed law, with up to three years.
  • DUI After a Prior Felony DUI: Any new DUI can be filed as a felony.

Revocations run three to four years, with habitual traffic offender status, an 18- or 30-month program and years of interlock. (Dave - link to the DUI page later)

DUI Causing Injury

Most injury DUIs are wobblers, chargeable as a misdemeanor or felony; impairment alone is not enough; an unlawful act or neglect must cause the injury.

  • First Injury DUI: Up to one year in jail, or 16 months to three years in state prison.
  • Great Bodily Injury Allegation: Three to six added years and a strike.
  • Multiple Injured Victims: One added year per additional victim, up to three.
  • Injury DUI With Priors: Two or more priors make it a felony in every case, with two to four years and a five-year revocation.

Related Charges

A death is typically charged as vehicular manslaughter or murder; hit-and-run, child endangerment and driving while revoked often accompany a felony DUI.

Schedule a Consultation Call (714) 725-7072
Daniel Kolacia Founding Attorney of Kolacia Law
Why Choose Kolacia Law

A former prosecutor, now on your side.

Daniel Kolacia was admitted to the State Bar of California in 2006. He served as a Deputy District Attorney in Riverside County and later as a county attorney in Iowa, and he handled cases ranging from DUI and drug charges to white collar crime and homicide. In 2021 he opened Kolacia Law to put that experience to work for the accused.

2006

ADMITTED TO THE BAR

100+

JURY TRIALS

200+

BENCH TRIALS

The Burden of Proof: Why It Matters So Much in Criminal Cases

Insight Into the Prosecution's Case

Felony DUI filings rest on certified prior-conviction records or a collision report, each examined for out-of-window dates, defective pleas and causation gaps.
The Burden of Proof: Why It Matters So Much in Criminal Cases

Credibility at the Negotiating Table

Prosecutors decide early whether to pursue a felony. A nonqualifying prior, a causation problem or completed treatment is raised before that choice is final.
Facing Felony Charges in California: What to Expect and How to Respond

Prepared to Go to Trial

If a prior's validity or the cause of a collision is genuinely contested, Daniel is prepared to test the criminalist's and collision investigator's conclusions before a jury.
Questions to Ask Your Criminal Defense Attorney

Direct Access to Your Attorney

Felony cases generally require you at key hearings, so your attorney prepares you for each and stays reachable between them.
How to Get Charges Dropped Before Court Date

A Practice Devoted to Criminal Law

Handling only criminal matters lets the firm plan past sentencing, toward license reinstatement, a CDL, firearm rights and a later reduction or expungement.

Proven Results

Recent Case Results

Dismissals, diversions, sealed records and reduced charges: a sample of how we have fought for our clients.

Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome. Every case is different and depends on its own facts and circumstances. Client last names are abbreviated for privacy.

Why Choose Kolacia Law

What Happens When You Call

Free, confidential consultation

Discuss custody or bail, the charge, prior convictions, any injuries and the DMV deadline.

Evidence review

Prior-conviction files, the collision report, video, the blood-draw warrant and medical records are analyzed, with experts if warranted.

Building leverage

A misdemeanor reduction, struck priors or a lesser charge is pursued while preparing for the preliminary hearing and trial.
payment

Flexible Payment Plans

Flat

FEES

50%

UPFRONT

No

CREDIT CHECK

Court dates will not wait for payday. Flat fees are set up front, and in-house plans need no credit check.

Pay 50% of the flat fee upfront and spread the balance over several months (a one-time service fee applies). We accept cash, checks, and credit and debit cards, and Affirm financing is also available.

Cash

Checks

Credit & Debit

Affirm Financing

Trusted in the Legal Community and Close to Home

California Attorneys for Criminal Justice

California Attorneys for Criminal Justice

Part of the state’s leading criminal defense bar organization.

Riverside County Bar Association

Riverside County Bar Association

Active in the Inland Empire legal community.

Leo A. Deegan American Inn of Court

American Inn of Court

Leo A. Deegan Inn, promoting professionalism and ethics in the law.

California CLETS User Group

California CLETS User Group

Connected to the statewide law enforcement records community.

Rancho Cucamonga Chamber of Commerce

Rancho Cucamonga Chamber of Commerce

A local firm invested in the community we serve.

BBB Accredited Business A+

BBB Accredited Business

A+ rating with the Better Business Bureau.

Schedule a Consultation Call (714) 725-7072

What Our Clients Say

Felony DUI Rancho Cucamonga FAQs

Talk With a Felony DUI Lawyer in Rancho Cucamonga Today

A preliminary hearing can come within days of arraignment, prior records and collision evidence take time to test, and the 10-day DMV hearing deadline runs at the same time.
Schedule a Consultation Call (714) 725-7072