Felony DUI Lawyer in Spokane

Former Police Officer. 20+ Years of Criminal Defense. Fighting Felony Charges in Spokane.

Most DUI arrests in Washington result in misdemeanor charges. When prior convictions push a charge into felony territory, the stakes change entirely: you’re facing Spokane County Superior Court, potential prison time, and permanent loss of rights including the right to vote and to possess firearms. The path through that system matters, and who guides you through it matters more.

At Phelps & Associates, Attorney Douglas Phelps brings more than 20 years of criminal defense experience and a background as a former Washington police officer. That combination means we read a felony DUI case the way it was built, from the initial traffic stop through how prior convictions were documented, and we use that reading to build your defense.

A felony DUI charge in Spokane demands immediate attention. Call us today at (509) 620-0606 to schedule a free initial case review. Same-day appointments are available.

When a DUI Becomes a Felony in Washington

Under RCW 46.61.502 and RCW 46.61.5055, a DUI rises to a class B felony when a defendant has three or more prior offenses within a 15-year lookback period. It also becomes a felony if the person has a prior conviction for vehicular homicide or vehicular assault while under the influence, a comparable out-of-state offense, or a prior felony DUI.

That 15-year lookback took effect January 1, 2026, extended from the prior period. Courts can reach back using convictions that predate the new law. For first or second DUI charges, the lookback period stays at seven years. If you have a DUI-related conviction anywhere in the past 15 years, treat any new arrest as carrying felony risk.

Penalties for a Felony DUI Conviction in Washington

A class B felony carries a maximum sentence of up to 10 years in prison and fines up to $20,000. Courts also require an alcohol evaluation and any recommended follow-up treatment as part of sentencing. Beyond incarceration, a felony conviction results in the loss of certain constitutional rights, including the right to vote and to possess firearms.

Washington’s Drug Offender Sentencing Alternative for DUI (DOSA-DUI) gives judges the option of treatment-based sentencing for certain felony DUI defendants rather than a standard prison term. To be eligible, a person can’t have a prior conviction for vehicular homicide or vehicular assault. The program includes residential substance use disorder treatment and partial confinement. DOSA-DUI isn’t automatic or available in every case; eligibility depends on the specific facts and record, and a court ultimately decides. An ignition interlock device requirement typically follows any DUI resolution as well.

How a Felony DUI Moves Through Spokane County Superior Court

Felony DUI cases are handled in Spokane County Superior Court. The procedural path from arraignment through potential trial is longer and more demanding than a misdemeanor case. Alongside the criminal proceedings, there’s a separate and urgent licensing matter: you have seven days from arrest to request a Department of Licensing hearing to contest your license suspension. Missing that window means losing the opportunity to contest it through that hearing process.

We work with our clients at every stage, from the licensing hearing through pretrial motions and, if necessary, trial. From the first conversation, we focus on where leverage exists and what consequences attach to each choice.

How We Approach Felony DUI Defense

A felony DUI charge depends on proving that specific prior offenses legally qualify under Washington’s prior-offense statute, so that count is where we start. The government must prove each qualifying prior meets the statutory definition under RCW 46.61.5055, and that’s a fact that can be contested. Douglas Phelps’s background as a former Washington police officer gives our firm a working knowledge of how traffic stops are conducted, how records are created, and where documentation can fall short.

We pair that background with strong negotiation skills and creative trial strategy. Whether the strongest path forward is a negotiated resolution, a pretrial motion challenging prior convictions, or taking the case to a jury, we build the approach around the facts in front of us.

Start Your Defense with a Free Case Review

A felony DUI charge moves fast. The earlier we can review your record and the circumstances of your arrest, the more options we can identify. We offer free initial case reviews and same-day appointments for people facing serious DUI charges in Spokane.

We understand what’s at stake, and our goal is to make sure you understand it too. You shouldn’t be navigating Spokane County Superior Court without a defense built around your specific situation.

Call (509) 620-0606 today to speak with our team about your felony DUI case.