Georgia DUI Laws: What You Need to Know
Georgia DUI laws are ever-changing and can get very technical, making a Georgia DUI lawyer necessary to have if you are charged with DUI. DUI in Georgia includes being over the legal limit for alcohol, illicit drugs, prescription drugs, over-the-counter drugs, toxic vapors, or any combination of these. Typically, DUIs are considered misdemeanors unless extensive circumstances are present, such as serious injury or death or if this is your fourth conviction in the span of ten years.
Legal Alcohol Limit in Georgia
The legal BAC level in Georgia is 0.08% for those of the legal age to drink, which is fairly common throughout the rest of the United States. The limits are different for other groups of people. The legal limit for commercial drivers is 0.04% and for those under 21 it is 0.02%. Your age and situation can influence the possible penalties for DUI charges.
Penalties for DUI in Georgia
There are different penalties outlines in Georgia DUI laws depending on your circumstances.
First Offense: If this is your first DUI offense, then possible penalties include jail time (up to 1 year), fines (minimum $300), license suspension (up to 1 year), 40 hours of community service, and more.
Second Offense: If you get your second offense within 5 years of your first, possible penalties include jail time (up to 1 year), fines (minimum $600), license suspension (up to 3 years), treatment program, and more.
Third Offense: If you get your second offense within 5 years of your second, possible penalties include jail time (minimum 15 days), fines (minimum $1,000), 30 days of community service, publication in the local newspaper, treatment program, and more.
Fourth Offense: A fourth conviction within 10 years has penalties that includes jail time (1-5 years), fines (between $1,000-$5,000), 60 days of community service, probation, treatment programs, and more.
Open Container Law
One of the Georgia DUI laws that not every state in the US has is an open container law. A container is considered open if the cap is open, has a broken seal, or the contents are partially removed. Georgia DUI laws state that you cannot have an open container of alcohol in the passenger area of a motor vehicle that is either on the roadway or on the shoulder. Only the person in possession of the open container can be charged, but if the driver is alone in the vehicle they will be considered responsible.
How a Georgia DUI Lawyer Can Protect You and Your Rights
As your DUI lawyer, we will inform you of your legal rights, thoroughly investigate and analyze the evidence against you, put the actions of law enforcement under a microscope, determine what the best possible defense would be, and aggressively represent your rights with every legal resource available by law. Some specific ways we help include:
• Negotiate to have your charges dropped or dismissed
• Negotiate to have your charges reduced
• Negotiate for a diversion program (when available)
• Negotiate for probation instead of jail or prison time
• When a trial is unavoidable, we will aggressively defend your legal rights
If you have been charged with DUI, consult our Georgia DUI lawyer who expertly understands the local courts and statutes to ensure you and your rights are protected throughout the legal process. Check out our case results.
