By: Cory Yager, Larry Kohn and William Head, co-authors of The Georgia DUI Trial Practice Manual 2023, our State's #1 treatise on DUI law in Georgia
Georgia DUI 1st Offense. Following their first time being put in handcuffs, citizens arrested for DUI in Georgia start their Internet search. Many post questions like, "what is the cost of a DUI," or is DUI a criminal offense?" or "how long does DUI stay on your record in GA?"
Life after first DUI. The unanswerable question "what is the average cost of first DUI" convictions comes down to what that person stands to lose. Low-income individuals who are not professional drivers may not be so dramatically affected.
When the cuffs go on your wrists, you are already going to be charged with driving while it was "less safe for the person to drive" from being DUI alcohol or DUI drugs. Whether you will also be accused of being over the legal alcohol limit or having too much of a drug concentration in your system can bring additional charges.
Why Fighting DUI Charges in Georgia is worth every penny. Wealthy individuals may lose everything if convicted of a first-time DUI and rely on a large monthly paycheck. For a first time conviction of DUI, you could lose your federal securities license, be fired from your banking VP job, lose the alcohol pouring license for their restaurant or bar, or be blocked from traveling to Canada and other nations, which is part of your job requirements.
DUI in the State of Georgia. So, people with high ambitions and potential for a promising career in politics or business cannot accept the minimum sentence for a first DUI in Georgia. Because a conviction of ANY DUI GA law can NEVER be removed, once in place, this single issue justifies fighting your pending case by every means available.
Do you lose your license for first DUI in Georgia? Yes, 100% of those convicted lose their license immediately, as soon as that conviction is entered on your record. The State of Georgia DUI laws are the same as all other states, due to N.H.T.S.A. pushing all states to take away the driver's license as a mandatory minimum punishment.
Is there Jail Time for DUI in Georgia? Yes, in virtually every case in which that driver is convicted. If you have a DUI Atlanta GA (or in ANY other place in the Peach State) call us FIRST, to learn how to protect your ability to keep driving. Our job, if hired, is not allow a DUI conviction in Georgia for ANY of our clients, if at all possible.
Convictions of a 1st DUI offense immediately causes a suspension of driving privileges, plus other penalties and potential consequences that can ruin present and future job prospects. For instance, the mandatory 12-month probation period may stop someone from joining the military until the probationary period is over and their case is closed.
One UGA student scheduled to study abroad during the summer had to cancel her trip after being convicted, after she simply pleaded guilty and did not fight the case. A man had to change his travel plans to Canada for his daughter's wedding. He had to hire a Canadian lawyer to help with the short visit.
Though some judges may allow time served after arrest to satisfy the jail requirement, fines and a permanent criminal history are almost always part of a first DUI offense. This article explains why a first DUI offense can be life-altering.
Many online questions focus on DUI punishments. People charged with drunk driving seek online information about what happens for your first offence DUI conviction, such as "how likely is jail time for first DUI?" or "Georgia DUI penalties" or "when can a first DUI conviction be expunged?" Minor DUI punishments like having to attend DUI school or paying fines and court costs is insignificant compared to a LIFETIME conviction on your criminal history.
A DUI conviction has serious consequences, including jail time. Under OCGA 40-6-391, penalties for your first dui conviction include at least 24 hours in jail for a first DUI offense if the blood or breath alcohol levels are 0.080 grams percent or higher. Immediate license suspension is another penalty, plus mandatory probation for a full year, minus and days of jail time served.
How many hours of community service will you need to do if convicted of a DUI first offense? Georgia DUI laws require 40 or more hours. But, this punishment, for most offenders, is the least objectionable penalty for a DUI 1st offense.
No, it cannot. The top-rated criminal defense lawyers near me know that any adjudication of guilt for driving under the influence is permanent, and not eligible for 1st offender status.
All DUI convictions will be visible to law enforcement officers, potential employers on background checks, public colleges and universities, the military, and many other institutions. Because the First Offender Act Georgia does not allow ANY DUI to be expunged or restricted from public records, by using 1st offense status, you will have that permanent blemish on your record if you don't fight to win your DUI case.
WARNING: Your pending DUI case also has a license suspension aspect, that needs immediate attention. If your plastic driver's license was taken, and you were issued a paper "limited driving permit," you MUST act within 30 days of the arrest date, or be suspended from ALL DRIVING for a full year.
For a 1st DUI offender, she or he may be eligible for an ignition interlock device restricted license, on one vehicle, under OCGA 40-5-64.1. Call immediately for our lawyers for DUI near me to review your eligibility!
Our 1400 page Book on Georgia Law on DUI. For a FREE lawyer consultation on this emergency issue, call our legal team members at 404-567-5515. After all, our three law partners are the co-authors of Georgia's leading book on GA DUI laws.
Legal limit alcohol Georgia. Those with a blood alcohol concentration over the legal alcohol limit in GA (0.08 grams percent for adult drivers ages 21 and over) are facing possible jail time, since the law requires not less than 24 hours behind bars.
Georgia Zero Tolerance for those under age 21. Those DUI drivers under the age of 21 are controlled by a Georgia zero tolerance law, which states that any reading of 0.02 gr. %, or more is a per se DUI. This would take about half a beer or glass of wine for most female drinkers.
Unlike most other crimes that can be given first offender act treatment or some sort of one-time diversion or conditional discharge, drunk driving or drugged driving are banned in Georgia. No person convicted of a first DWI offense can obtain any such record-clearing benefits.
What are the consequences of a DUI? Even the statutory minimums offered on a first DUI offense in GA plea bargain can't be accepted, if you are a person with lofty aspirations and a possible political or corporate career. In some clients' cases, the fact that their driving privileges will be suspended at the Georgia Department of Driver Services compels them to fight their case.
Plus, other penalties and consequences that can derail future or present employment opportunities. One common example is that you cannot join the military until your probation period ends and your case is closed. This probation period typically lasts for 12 months.
DUI first offense jail time can vary greatly, depending on the court in which your case is pending. Be aware that jail for a DUI first offense is imposed in almost every case, if convicted under O.C.G.A. 40-6-391. The statute mandates 24 hours in jail if blood alcohol or breath alcohol levels are 0.080 grams percent or more.
Some judges will let your time served after arrest cover the incarceration required by Georgia DUI laws. So, for your 1st offense DUI misdemeanor, expect jail, fines and a permanent criminal history with any first offense DUI conviction. This first section of this comprehensive article covers why the first DUI offense can cause life-altering barriers for your future.
The simple answer is "hire the best lawyers" with winning track records. With many thousands of success stories fighting a DUI in Atlanta Georgia, our partners know hundreds of ways to win these tough cases.
No that you know more about DUI consequences Georgia, simple questions like "How much is a DUI in Georgia" are meaningless questions. Any O.C.G.A. DUI conviction---even a first lifetime offense---remains for LIFE!
So, why not call the lawyers who write the leading book on Georgia DUI laws? Who knows more about DUI laws in GA than the guys who wrote the BOOK?
Yes, that is our legal team. The 1400-page book is purchased by other DUI defense attorneys, prosecutors, judges, and probation offices, because it covers all current legal defenses and cases in the Peach State. Plus, we co-author OTHER legal books, too.
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Mr. Larry Kohn could not have been more helpful. I sent him a message for a free consultation, and unfortunately my case had to be handled in another state. But he completely walked me through everything I needed to do, and even offered to assist the lawyer I did find in Virginia should they need help with my case.
Jamie V.
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Mr. Kohn is just amazing. He is truthful and realistic when explaining potential outcomes of your case and doesn’t force you to hire him or anything. When I met him, he went through everything about the case and ways to fight it off first before even telling me about his services. He got my case dismissed and kept me out of a lot of potential problems with school applications and future job opportunities. I highly recommend him to anyone.
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