What is the difference between a felony and a misdemeanor charge for a DWI?

In general, a felony charge is a more serious legal offense than a misdemeanor charge. In Georgia, a Driving While Intoxicated (DWI) charge can result in either a felony or misdemeanor conviction depending on the circumstances of the case. A misdemeanor DWI charge is usually the result of the first DWI offense, or if the person was found to have a blood alcohol content (BAC) of .08 or less. Penalties for a misdemeanor DWI can include a fine of up to $1,000, jail time of up to one year, community service, license suspension, and/or probation. Felony DWI charges are usually the result of a second DWI offense, or if the person was found to have a BAC of .08 or higher. Penalties for a felony DWI can include a fine of up to $5,000, a prison sentence of one to five years, community service, license suspension, and/or probation. Additionally, a felony DWI conviction in Georgia will result in the permanent loss of the right to vote, and greatly reduce the opportunity to obtain and maintain certain professional or trades licenses. Overall, the difference between a felony and a misdemeanor charge for a DWI in Georgia comes down to the severity of the offense and the penalties that are imposed. A misdemeanor charge is typically the result of a first DWI offense, while a felony charge is usually the result of a second or subsequent offense or a BAC violation.

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What is the difference between a felony and a misdemeanor charge for a DWI?

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