Memorial Day is an important national holiday. We celebrate Memorial Day to honor the lives of those who fought for our country. Many people take the long weekend as a signal that summer is here. As a result, the holiday is often celebrated with drinks to ring in the warm weather. But, this means that some people may make the decision to drink and drive, putting everyone on the road in harm’s way. DUIs are taken very seriously in Georgia. Read on to learn about DUI consequences in Georgia.
First-Offense DUI Penalties
As stated above, DUIs are taken very seriously in Georgia and they can carry harsh penalties. If you are charged with a DUI for the first time, you may face the following consequences:
- A 12-month license suspension, though you may have your license reinstated after 120 days upon completion of the DUI Alcohol or Drug Use Risk Reduction Program
- Between 10 days and 1 year in jail
- A potential $300-$1,000 fine, plus court surcharges
- Up to 40 hours of community service
- You may be subjected to clinical evaluation and treatment
It is important to note that you will only have 30 days from the date of your arrest to speak with an experienced Georgia DUI lawyer who will schedule an Administrative License Hearing. Without doing so within 30 days, your license will be immediately suspended.
Second-Offense DUI Penalties
If this is your second DUI offense within five years, you will now face even harsher penalties. The consequences of a second-offense DUI conviction in Georgia are as follows:
- A 3-year license suspension
- Between 90 days and 1 year in jail
- A potential $600-$1,000 fine, plus court surcharges
- Up to 240 hours of community service
- Enrollment in the DUI Alcohol or Drug Use Risk Reduction Program
- You may be subjected to clinical evaluation and treatment
If you are pulled over for a third or subsequent offense, your charges will continue to increase. It is important to reach out to an experienced criminal defense attorney right away.
If you or a loved one is facing charges for a DUI in Georgia, you should reach out to an experienced criminal defense attorney as soon as possible. Our firm is here to advocate for you. We will explore all possible avenues of defense and work to have your charges lowered or dropped. Contact us to discuss your case.
Contact Our Experienced Firm
We at the Miller Law Practice understand that people make mistakes. We are here to fight for you throughout all of your criminal law matters. Do not hesitate to contact our firm today and speak with an experienced and dedicated criminal defense attorney.