Conway Felony DWI Defense Attorneys

Charged with a felony DWI in Conway, AR? Our skilled Conway felony DWI defense attorneys can defend you if you are facing charges of a fourth offense, and incident with injuries, and more.

Arkansas treats fourth offenses, incidents with injuries, and cases involving death as felonies that carry mandatory prison sentences measured in years, not days.

The prosecutor’s office in Faulkner County handles these cases aggressively, and they have the resources and motivation to push for maximum penalties.

At Lemley DWI & Criminal Defense Lawyers, we handle complex DWI cases throughout Central Arkansas, including felony-level matters. Our experienced Conway felony DWI defense lawyers know that behind every charge is someone whose entire life hangs in the balance, their job, their family stability, their freedom and we approach each case with that weight in mind.

The difference between walking into court prepared and walking in hoping for mercy can mean the difference of years of your life. We’re here to ensure you’re in the first category. Let’s talk about what you’re actually facing and what can be done about it.

Contact us today to schedule a consultation with our legal team today.

When Is a DWI a Felony in Arkansas?

A DWI becomes a felony when it’s your fourth or subsequent offense within Arkansas’s ten-year lookback period or when the incident results in serious bodily injury or death. The lookback period refers to the ten-year window courts use to count your prior DWI or DUI convictions.

Out-of-state convictions can be used against you, but the prosecutor must prove each one with certified court records. That requirement is often the first place a strong defense begins.

What Penalties Could You Face for a Felony DWI?

The penalties for a felony DWI in Arkansas go well beyond fines and a suspended license. Depending on your offense level, you may face years in prison, mandatory substance abuse treatment, and a long-term or permanent revocation of your driving privileges.

Outcomes vary based on the facts of your case and your full criminal history.

Beyond the courtroom, a felony conviction can cost you your professional license, affect your housing applications, and permanently disqualify you from holding a commercial driver’s license (CDL).

What Happens to Your License After a Felony DWI Arrest?

Your arrest triggers two separate legal processes at the same time. The first is your criminal case in Faulkner County Circuit Court. The second is an administrative case managed by the Arkansas Department of Finance and Administration, Office of Driver Services, commonly called the DFA/ODS, which controls your driving privileges independent of the criminal outcome.

You typically have just seven days from the date of your notice to request a hearing with the DFA/ODS. Miss that window, and your license is automatically suspended regardless of what happens in court.

Our Conway felony DWI defense lawyers file that hearing request immediately and work to keep you legally on the road while your case is pending.

Arrested for a Felony DWI in Conway? Here’s What to Do Now

The hours and days right after your arrest are critical. What you do, and what you don’t do, can significantly affect the outcome of your case.

• Stay off social media: Anything you post about the arrest, the night in question, or law enforcement can be used against you.
• Keep all paperwork: Save your citations, bond documents, and any notices you received from the jail or the court.
• Write down what happened: Document every detail you remember about the stop, the officer’s instructions, and how the tests were conducted.
• Request your DFA/ODS hearing: Act on the deadline listed in your notice—do not assume someone else will handle it.
• Contact our attorneys before speaking to anyone: Do not talk to investigators, insurance representatives, or anyone else about the incident until you have legal representation.

How We Defend Felony DWI Charges in Faulkner County

We appear regularly in the 20th Judicial Circuit and understand how felony DWI cases are prosecuted locally. Our defense approach means pulling apart the state’s case at every level, from the initial traffic stop to the lab results used at trial.

• Challenging the traffic stop: If the officer lacked a valid legal reason to pull you over, any evidence gathered after that point may be suppressible.
• Field sobriety test accuracy: Medical conditions, uneven pavement, poor lighting, and improper officer instructions can all compromise these results.
• Breath and blood test integrity: We review calibration records, maintenance logs, and chain-of-custody documentation to identify procedural failures.
• Prior conviction validity: Each prior offense used to elevate your charge to a felony must be legally proven with certified records, our DWI defense attorneys challenge every one that doesn’t meet that standard.
• Accident reconstruction: When injury or death is alleged, we work with independent experts to analyze the crash and present an accurate picture of what actually happened.

Can a Felony DWI Be Reduced or Dismissed?

Reductions and dismissals are possible, though they depend entirely on the strength of the evidence, your history, and how the case is built. In some situations, uncovering a procedural flaw or a weakness in the prior conviction record leads to amending the charge down to a misdemeanor DWI or reckless driving. We prepare every case as though it’s going to trial. That preparation is what creates real leverage in negotiations with the prosecutor.

What Should You Expect in Faulkner County Court?

Felony DWI cases are handled in Circuit Court, not District Court, which means a more formal and longer legal process. Your case moves through arraignment, discovery, pretrial motions, plea negotiations, and potentially a jury trial.

We handle the legal heavy lifting at every stage and communicate with you through private, direct channels so you’re never left guessing about where things stand. You’ll know what’s coming before every court date.

Why Hiring a Conway DWI Lawyer Early Matters

Dashcam footage, security video, and witness accounts can disappear within days of an arrest. The DFA/ODS hearing deadline closes fast. Waiting even a week to hire an attorney can mean losing evidence you’ll never get back.

Bringing in a defense lawyer early also means we can coordinate your criminal case and your license hearing as a single, unified strategy, not two separate scrambles. That coordination can make a meaningful difference in how both tracks resolve.

Why Choose Lemley DWI & Criminal Defense Lawyers?

We have extensive experience representing Arkansans who need a real advocate in high-pressure situations. We don’t treat you like a case number, and we don’t disappear after the first consultation. Our clients always know what is happening in their case and why.

• 21+ years of Arkansas DWI and criminal defense experience: We’ve handled complex, high-stakes cases across Central Arkansas for decades.
• Local Faulkner County court knowledge: We know the judges, the prosecutors, and the procedures in the 20th Judicial Circuit.
• Flat fees and payment plans: Quality representation shouldn’t be out of reach because of cost, we offer transparent pricing and flexible options.
• Private, responsive communication: Direct lines and modern case management tools mean you’re never left waiting for answers.
• Criminal and administrative defense, handled together: We manage your Circuit Court case and your DFA/DS license hearing as one coordinated strategy.

Felony DWI FAQs

Can a first-offense DWI in Arkansas be charged as a felony?

Yes. If the incident involves serious bodily injury or the death of another person, a first DWI can be charged as a felony, often under Arkansas’s negligent homicide statute, which carries significantly higher penalties than a standard DWI.

Do out-of-state DWI convictions count toward an Arkansas felony charge?

They can, but the prosecutor must provide certified records from the other state to prove each conviction. Challenging the validity of those records is one of the first things we examine when building your defense.

What happens if I refused the breath or blood test at the time of my arrest?

Refusing a chemical test violates Arkansas’s implied consent law and typically results in an automatic license suspension. The refusal itself can also be introduced as evidence against you in your criminal trial.

Will I have to install an ignition interlock device on my vehicle?

In most felony DWI cases, yes. An ignition interlock device—a breathalyzer connected to your car’s ignition, is typically required before you can drive again, and it must be maintained at your expense for a set period.

Can a felony DWI conviction be expunged from my record in Arkansas?

Standard felony DWI convictions in Arkansas cannot be expunged or sealed. That permanent record makes it critical to fight the charges as aggressively as possible from the very start.

How long does a felony DWI case typically take to resolve in Faulkner County?

Most felony cases take several months to over a year depending on the complexity of the evidence, court scheduling, and whether the case goes to trial. We keep you informed at every stage so you’re never left wondering about the timeline.

Talk to a Conway Felony DWI Defense Lawyer Today

A felony DWI charge is serious, but it doesn’t have to be the end of the road. We’re available 24/7, offer free consultations, and serve clients throughout Conway, Faulkner County, and Central Arkansas. Reach out today and let us help you understand exactly where you stand and what comes next.

Contact Lemley DWI & Criminal Defense Lawyers to schedule a consultation with a lawyer today.