The DUI Penalties for driving under the influence or while intoxicated are quite harsh. You can expect to receive up to a maximum of twelve months in jail, although usually it will be less. However, in addition to jail time, there are many other DUI Penalties, even for first time offenders.
DUI Penalties In GA
Dui penalties include a fine of up to $1000, plus surcharges, court costs, and restitution if you caused property damage or injury to anyone inside or outside your vehicle. You will be assigned up to 240 hours of community service as part of your dui penalties and you may be sent for a drug and/or alcohol treatment evaluation to see if you need help with a possible addiction problem. You will face up to a five year suspension of your driver’s license. Your car insurance rates will go up tremendously and you may have to file a security bond, known as an SR-22, for several years, which can be quite expensive. Finally, you will be ordered to complete either a DUI Alcohol or a Drug Use Risk Reduction Program. This is also known as “DUI School”. dui penalties are hard. You should consider hiring an attorney to represent you in this so your dui penalties can be minimized.
DUI Penalties In GA and School Program
Dui penalties means DUI School in a program that is regulated by the Georgia Department of Driver Services. This class is mandatory for anyone convicted of driving under the influence, possession of illegal drugs, underage possession of alcohol while operating a motor vehicle, or boating under the influence. Only certified courses approved by the Georgia DDS will be accepted by the courts and for license reinstatement. The most up to date list of approved programs can be found on the DDS website. The course is designed as an intervention program to help individuals focus on changing their behavior. There are two components to the course. The assessment component is a 130 item questionnaire that asks about your use of alcohol and drugs. It takes anywhere from thirty minutes to one hour to complete. The intervention component is a twenty hour class that will teach you about drugs, alcohol, behavior patterns, and tolerance levels. It is taught in a classroom setting. There are no online DUI schools, and the attendance requirement can be very strict. If you are even a few minutes late, you can be locked out of or dismissed from the program without a refund and have to start over. As of July, 2009, the cost for the course is $292.00, which comprises $82.00 for the assessment component, $20.00 for the materials, and $190.00 for the intervention component. If you satisfactorily complete the course, you will receive a Certificate of Completion. Attending this class is part of your dui penalties. This will have to be submitted to the court and to the Department of Driver Services in order to have your license reinstated. DUI penalties are hard. Don’t drink and drive.
If you are from a different state, it will obviously be very difficult for you to attend one of these schools. The Georgia DDS will not accept certificates from another state’s DUI school unless it is first approved by the Georgia DDS as conforming to the course content and time requirements of the Georgia programs. In order to be approved, the out of state program must be at least twenty class hours in a classroom setting part of your dui penalties. Online classes are not acceptable. You must contact the Georgia Risk Reduction program at (678) 413-8400 for the necessary steps in getting an out of state program approved. DUI penalties in GA are no laughing matter.
GA DUI Conviction
DUI penalties if this is not your first conviction within the past ten years also include a requirement that you attend a clinical evaluation to determine whether or not a drug or alcohol treatment program will also be required. You may also have to complete this for a first offense if the judge feels you may have a drug or alcohol addiction problem. This is in addition to, not in place of, the DUI school program discussed above. Some DUI schools offer this service as well. As you can plainly see, the only answer is to take a cab, have a designated driver, or drive sober. DUI penalties are hard.
If you have been arrested for driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs in the state of Georgia, you should really retain the services of a professional attorney. Specifically, you need a lawyer who specializes in Georgia DUI law. Hiring A GA DUI Attorney is a must.
Hiring a GA DUI Attorney
Going to battle against the state prosecutor and the police officers who arrested you without an attorney is simply not a smart thing to do at all and the success rate is very low. If you lose your case, as you are likely to do without a specialized attorney, you will face the full brunt of the criminal penalties for driving under the influence. Hiring A GA DUI Attorney is what you should be doing.
In addition to jail time, there are many other penalties, even for first time offenders. If the officer takes your license at the time of your arrest, and you fail to file the proper paperwork for a hearing with within ten days of your arrest, your license will be automatically suspended. If you are convicted of the DUI charge, there will be fines up to $1000, plus surcharges, court costs, and restitution if you caused property damage or injury to anyone inside or outside your vehicle. You will be assigned up to 240 hours of community service and you may be sent for a drug and/or alcohol treatment program evaluation to see if you need help with a possible addiction problem. You will face up to a five year suspension of your driver’s license. Your car insurance rates will go up tremendously and you may have to file a security bond, known as an SR-22, for several years, which can be quite expensive. Finally, you will ordered to complete either a DUI Alcohol or a Drug Use Risk Reduction Program. These penalties are just too high to risk not investing in the services of an attorney. While it may cost you several thousand dollars to hire one, it may end up costing you a lot more not having one. The rise in your insurance rates alone will far outweigh the costs of an attorney.
Hiring A GA DUI Attorney What To Look For
Equally as important as hiring a lawyer is hiring a good lawyer. There are many factors to consider when searching for a lawyer. First, you need a lawyer that knows the law, specifically DUI law. A good DUI lawyer has specialized training in field sobriety testing and the various machines used to test blood-alcohol concentration. Your lawyer should be familiar with the various parties involved, as well as be a member of several professional organizations. Being on a first name basis with the prosecutors, judges, and police officers can at least help you get to the front of the line in court, if not help you get better deals. Do not automatically rush into a deal with the least expensive attorney that you find. Always remember that you get what you pay for. Feel free to ask friends, family, or even people at the courthouse or police station for recommendations. They know better than anyone. Most importantly of all, make sure that you are comfortable with your future attorney and that he is comfortable with you. Make sure that you are going to get your money’s worth and that he is going to be available for you when you need him. Remember: this is your life you are talking about. Hiring A GA DUI Attorney is not something you should wait to do.
A first GA DUI of driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs – also known as driving while intoxicated – is a misdemeanor crime in the state of Georgia. Do not let the fact that it is a misdemeanor lead you to believe that it is not a serious offense. A first GA DUI is very serious
A first ga dui Will Be With You For Life
Quite the contrary, it is a crime that will haunt you for the rest of your life even if its only your first GA DUI. Even if you have never committed a crime before, you can go to jail. Even if you are a minor, you can go to jail. Even if you are not doing anything else besides drinking and driving, that is enough to put you in jail for at least a day, if not longer. If your charge is for driving while under the influence of drugs, instead of alcohol, you may also receive penalties, including additional jail time, for the possession of drugs. Remember: you can get a DUI for both alcohol AND drug intoxication, EVEN if the “drugs” were legal. If you have a prescription and it says you may not drive while taking that medication, then you can be given a DUI if you disobey that instruction. A first GA DUI needs to be handled the right way. You can seek to contact an attorney on this page.
Penalty for a First GA DUI
The penalty for a first conviction of driving under the influence or while intoxicated is quite harsh. You can expect to receive anywhere from a minimum of twenty-four hours to a maximum twelve in jail, even on your first conviction. Usually, if you have a clean record and this is your first offense, you will most likely get the minimum twenty-four hours, and close to twelve months of probation. This is not a guarantee, however, and it is possible for you to be put in jail for up to twelve months on a first offense, especially if you cause an accident or an injury to persons or property.
Cost for First GA DUI
In addition to jail time for a first GA DUI, there are many other penalties for first time offenders. There will be a minimum fine of $300 plus court costs. Generally, however, the fine is much higher. It may range all the way up to $1000, plus surcharges, court costs, and restitution if you caused property damage or injury to anyone inside or outside your vehicle. You will be assigned forty hours of community service and a risk reduction course. This is also known as “DUI School”. You will be sent for a drug and/or alcohol treatment program evaluation to see if you need help with a possible addiction problem. More seriously, you will face up to a one year suspension of your driver’s license. If you were convicted for driving under the influence of alcohol, you may be able to get a limited, or restricted, driver’s license after 120 days if and only if you complete the risk reduction course. This will allow you to drive only to and from home and/or work. If you were convicted for driving under the influence of drugs, however, you will not be eligible for a reinstatement for a minimum of 180 days and no limited license will be made available to you. In addition to all of this, your insurance company will raise you rates significantly and could require you to file a security bond known as an SR-22, which will cost you even more money. First GA DUI Penalties are very high. Consider hiring a good attorney to defend you.
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You can go to jail for a GA DUI of alcohol or drugs – also known as driving while intoxicated. It is that simple. Even if you have never committed a crime before, you can go to jail if you get a GA DUI.
GA DUI For Prescription drugs
Even if you are a minor, you can go to jail with a GA DUI. Even if you are not doing anything else besides drinking and driving, that is enough to put you in jail for at least a day, if not longer. If your charged with a GA DUI, instead of alcohol, you may also receive penalties, including additional jail time, for the possession of drugs if they are illegal. Remember: you can get a DUI for both alcohol AND drug intoxication, EVEN if the “drugs” were legal. If you have a prescription and it says you may not drive while taking that medication, then you can be given a GA DUI if you disobey that instruction.
GA DUI First conviction
The penalty for a GA DUI first conviction of driving under the influence or while intoxicated is severe. You can receive anywhere from twenty-four hours to twelve month in jail, even on your first conviction. Usually if you have a clean record and this is your first offense, you will most likely get the minimum twenty-four hours, with up to twelve months of probation. This is not a guarantee, however, and it is possible for you to be put in jail for up to twelve months on a first offense, especially if you cause an accident or an injury. This is in addition to the many other penalties, including heavy fines, community service, GA DUI School, and up to a one year suspension of your driver’s license. Your car insurance rates will also go up tremendously.
GA DUI Second Conviction
If you have a criminal record or, worse, if you have already been previously convicted of driving under the influence or a GA DUI within the last ten years, you will do serious jail time. There is no question about this. A GA DUI for a second offense carries an automatic minimum of seventy-two hours in jail and ninety days on probation. That is the minimum. You could once again find yourself in jail for up to twelve months. Remember, you will also be subject to heavy fines, community service, DUI School, and up to an eighteen month suspension of your driver’s license. You will also have your picture published in the newspaper, lose your license plates, and have an ignition interlock device installed on your vehicle.
Third Conviction for a DUI
For a GA DUI third conviction for driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol within a ten year period, you can expect things to get even worse. This time, you will have to spend fifteen days in jail minimum, plus another 105 days on probation. You could spend up to twelve months in jail. This time, in addition to all of the previously mentioned penalties, you will get the honor of losing your license for up to five long years.
Keep in mind that these jail times are strictly for a GA DUI. If you have been involved in a accident, caused property damage, injured a person either inside or outside your car, or were in possession of controlled substances, you may also face additional jail time for those offenses. You will also be more likely to face the maximum, rather than the minimum, penalty for the DUI conviction. As you can plainly see, the only answer is to drive sober. Don’t risk losing up to a year of your life wasting away in a jail cell. Don’t get a GA DUI.
Legal Alcohol Limit In GA as of August 2005, every single state in the United States has set a legal limit for adults 21 and over of .08 percent for blood-alcohol concentration (BAC). If you are at or above .08 percent, you will be automatically considered “per se intoxicated” under any state law and you will be arrested with no need for any other proof.
It does not matter whether or not you were swerving or not – if you test at or above .08%, you will go to jail. Unknown to most people, most states also have a second BAC level called the “enhanced penalty BAC level”.Legal Alcohol limit In GA, this is currently .15 percent, which is almost double the “normal” legal limit. If you hit this second state, you become for much harsher penalties, including longer jail time, much higher fines, and extra penalties against your driver’s license.
If you are under the legal drinking age, which is currently 21 years of age in all fifty states, the blood-alcohol concentration limit is significantly lower, as you are not supposed to possess drink alcohol under that age anyway.
Legal Alcohol Limit In GA For Minors
All fifty states have these so-called “zero tolerance BAC levels” for minors. They range from .02% to absolute zero. Currently Georgia’s BAC legal limit for minors is .02%. This is significantly lower than the level for adults and there are not many people who could get away with even one drink at this limit. One drink in a 100 pound woman will cause a blood-alcohol concentration of .04%. Even a 240 pound man drinking a single drink will register .02%, which would subject you to automatic arrest and loss of your license or permit in the state of Georgia.
Legal Alcohol Limit In GA Designated Driver
Even at .08%, the average 120 pound adult might only be able to have one or two drinks before they exceed the limit. Therefore, the only safe way to avoid being arrested for driving under the influence is simply not to drink or not to drive. You can pick one or the other, but not both. If you are going to drive, then be the “designated driver” that drives everyone home safely. If you are not driving, or if someone else has volunteered to be the designated driver, then feel free to indulge at a reasonable level. Just keep in mind that just because someone has been appointed as the designated driver does not guarantee they will keep that promise later. In that case, simply call a cab. All bars will either call a cab for you or provide you with a phone number of a reputable company. Some cities, such as Atlanta, even have services where a sober driver will drive you and your car home. It may cost you some money now, but it may save you a lot of money, hassle, and jail time later. It may even save your life and the lives of others in the long run. Remember that the whole reason that we have DUI laws is because, quite simply, drinking and driving kills. Legal Alcohol Limit In GA are there for a reason don’t drink and drive.
If you are that type that loves to drink a lot as you cannot really control your hunger for alcohol and then you will delve into driving your car and have a good race with your friends, then that is not something the cops will be very happy about. You might say that hey, everything is just find and you feel awesome, but if you have alcohol on board and the cops will stop and assess the fact that you are not apt for driving, then you will be in great trouble.
Needing a good GA DUI Attorney
If you were stopped by the police because you were caught driving, you will certainly need to consider getting a good GA DUI Attorney. He is someone that knows what steps need to be taken in such a delicate situation and he will certainly help you out with your problems and get you back to your normal life in no time.
But there will always be some people out there that will think they are too smart for hiring a lawyer and they will decide to represent themselves, a scenario that will not be too beneficial for them, as they don’t really have the required expertise to deal with the complexity of such scenarios. Sooner or later, they will realize that the help of an Atlanta DUI Attorney is really vital. After you will get in touch with such a lawyer, he will tell you what options you have and what the chances are that you will be getting away clean from this mess. He has the required expertise, so you can fully trust his skills and experience.
The prices for getting one such lawyer will vary though. If you are a greedy person, then this is the best time to get rid of your problem and consider a lawyer that will not be too cheap. You will see that a few extra hundred dollars will mean a lot in court and you will get to have your case solved in just a few days.
The tests you took when you were caught driving might have been in for errors, for example the blood tests the chemical tests. There are many cases in which the equipment is damaged and this means that the result of the tests is also affected by this.
Hiring a good lawyer, you will be able to have these mistakes pointed out. Make sure you get a good one, as your chances of a happy ending will increase a lot.
If you have been charged with a DUI in the state of GA you will need to find a good GA DUI Lawyer as soon as possible so he can represent you in court. The sooner you find a good attorney the faster he can start working on your case. Fill out the form on the right an attorney will call you today.
GA DUI Lawyer Can Help You
So if you were stopped by the police and they noticed you had some drinks there and decided to take you in, you will absolutely need to get in touch with a good GA DUI Lawyer. He will know everything that must be done in order to get you out of this messy situation in a timely fashion. A GA DUI Lawyer is a must is you have been charged with a DUI in the state of GA.
GA DUI Lawyer or represent myself in a DUI Case ?
But there are also some people out there that will think they are too smart to hire a lawyer and then they will get to represent themselves, they will utterly fail, as they don’t really have the necessary knowledge in order to deal with such situations. Sooner or later, they will realize that the help of an Atlanta DUI Attorney is really vital. Shortly after you will get in touch with such a lawyer, you will be let in on the possibilities and chances of having your case solved in court, for he is an expert and he will know exactly what steps to employ in order to make you smile and have the last laugh. With the necessary know how he has, your case will be over in just a few days.
Cost of a DUI Lawyer
You will see that when it comes to the prices, they vary. Don’t be greedy and get a cheap one, for you will be the one that will lose many benefits. A few extra hundred dollars on your account will not mean anything in the long run. Hiring an Attorney, can prove if there were errors in the tests you took, for example in the blood tests or in the chemical tests. In some cases the equipments that are used are old and they will not perform as well as they did back in the day.
With a good GA DUI Lawyer, you will be able to detect any such mistakes that have been made. Always get a good GA DUI Lawyer, as your chances of getting a better deal with your DUI case increases.
A GA DUI Attorney can keep you out of jail if this is your first DUI and if you listen to what he says to you. A GA DUI is a very serious matter and you need to follow the law and do you community service. If you follow the law a GA DUI Attorney can keep you out of jail.
GA DUI Attorney Consider Getting One
Thus, if you will get to meet the police on the way and they will stop you and notice that you are drunk, you will certainly need to consider getting yourself a GA DUI Attorney. You will see that he will know exactly what to do in order to get you out of the mess that you have fallen into.
Some people will think that they are so smart and they will delve into getting out of this situation by themselves, by that will certainly be a mistake, as every case is different and has a certain degree of complexity. You will sooner or later need professional help from an
Atlanta DUI Attorney. When you will get in touch with such a lawyer, you will not have to worry about the outcome of the trial in court, for he will swing things around so that you will get to win the trial. He has the necessary know how that he will certainly employ in order to get you out of this mess.
GA DUI Attorney Cost
You will see that the prices for such lawyers will vary and you will need to get one according to your budget. If you think that getting one is too expensive for your pockets, then think of the fact that going to jail is not something that will make you happy. So spending a few extra hundreds dollars will only be to your benefits.
GA DUI Attorney Not Getting One Is A Mistake
There might be errors in the tests you took, for example in the blood tests or in the chemical tests. There are some cases in which the equipment the specialists are using is very much old and not working up to par, so this is the perfect scenario for a mistake to slip in.
These are important things that a lawyer will consider when he will be trying to win your case over the accusation. Always make sure to get a good GA DUI Attorney, as your chances of getting away with it will increase a lot.
You will not realize how important a drunk driving attorney GA is until you are hit with a DUI charge. The right attorney can fight hard to win your case or minimize the punishments you will receive. You may think that you can represent yourself, but you are being misinformed.
Drunk Driving Attorney GA Can Guide You
You see, a DUI lawyer will understand all of the legal scenarios and will be able to present a much better case than you could alone. Once you have been arrested you will have many other things on your mind besides the legal proceedings. You will be worried about getting your license back, losing your job or the possibility of jail time. Having a lawyer will keep your chances of winning a DUI charge much higher.
Drunk driving attorney GA can talk to the judge
You may be able to handle a simple case but a DUI is far from being simple. On top of understanding the law your Drunk Driving Attorney GA will know how to speak to the judge. Knowing how to navigate your way through a trial and speak to the judge is very important. You can severely damage your case and increase your punishment if you go about this the wrong way. Also, your attorney will know all of the different defenses he can try to use to make your case. There are a ton of ways in which your attorney can try to prove your innocence and unless you have been studying DUI law for a long time you will not know half of them.
Drunk Driving Attorney GA Will know the legal system
Your attorney will also have a long track record of success. That is, of course, if you did your due diligence when hiring your attorney in the beginning. Having a success record often means that the attorney your working with has worked with prosecutors and possibly even the judge dealing with your case. The experience of your attorney will also help you tremendously. He or she will make sure that no detail is missed and that you were given fair treatment by the arresting officer. Many cases are won by just catching the mistakes of the officer who arrested you. Without hiring an attorney you will miss out on all of these opportunities.
If you think hiring attorney will keep you from saving money then you need to think again. While attorney certainly does charge a fee for his or her service he or she can save you from paying much higher fines in court. Not only that but your attorney may get you out of all of the other fines and punishments you have to pay for. Like paying for alcohol and drug classes, getting your license revoked or suspended and getting an ignition interlock installed in your vehicle. Your attorney is not a answer to all of your problems. If you are guilty and have overwhelming evidence against you or you seriously hurt someone than your attorney may not be able to help you. However, it is always best to consult with a Drunk Driving Attorney GA to get your questions answered.
When trying to decide if you need to hire an Athens GA DUI lawyer you need to think about what may happen if you do not hire a lawyer. As you know a DUI charge is a very serious matter and should not be taken lightly. States all over the country are making DUI charges more painful for those who are caught driving while intoxicated. Hiring a lawyer does cost money, but it is money well spend. You see a DUI lawyer knows the details of the law and can help build a case to prove your innocence of negligence on the police. Below are a few things a lawyer may be able to help you identify.
Finding an Athens GA DUI Lawyer
First be sure to hire a lawyer who specializes in DUI cases. The DUI law changes often and having a lawyer who strictly deals with DUI cases will ensure you get someone who is up to speed with the most current laws. You also want to get someone who has experience and a proven track record. When you meet with an Athens GA DUI attorney be sure to ask for proven success in previous cases. This is very important factor in choosing the proper lawyer. Even if they are experienced in the field by winning cases on a consistent basis it shows they know the best way to build a case for you.
What should an Athens GA DUI Lawyer know
A good lawyer will be able to gather the details of your arrest and find out some important details. Did the police have any reason to stop you when you were asked to pull over? Were you speeding? Did you switch lanes continuously without using your signals? If the police had no valid reason to stop you in the first place then your lawyer may be able to build off of that and help you work on a defense. Your lawyer can also make sure that the sobriety test was carried out properly. Many times police officers forget to implement a few steps in the process. This can lead to invalid test results and can be used as a great defense tool.
What can an Athens GA DUI Lawyer do for you ?
Many times the arresting officer will have to present evidence that you were impaired prior to being pulled over. Having your lawyer present will allow him or her to question the officer the proper way. Police usually make arrest based on an educated case or hunches. However, with proper questioning from your lawyer the arresting officer would have to present enough evidence to convince a jury or judge that you were impaired before being stopped. If that evidence can not be presented then you will not be found guilty.
Finding a Athens GA DUI Lawyer is not easy. In fact, it is long, drawn out process that takes time. However, it is very important that you hire an attorney to represent you in your DUI case. It will take a lot of the legal burden off of your back, give you a chance to focus on other things and increase your chances of success significantly.If you are looking for an Athens GA DUI Lawyer please fill out the form on this page and Mr. Biskobing will get in touch with you
