Georgia Criminal Defense Lawyer Blog
If you’re facing DUI charges in Georgia, consulting with an experienced Atlanta DUI lawyer is crucial to understanding your rights and defense options. While many worry about the odds of getting DUI dropped, understanding DUI statistics can help put the situation in perspective. Any DUI arrest, no matter if it is your first offense, is a serious matter that requires a serious criminal lawyer to appear with you in court.
All is not hopeless. It may seem like the state prosecutor’s evidence is rock solid, and you don’t stand a chance, but give Larry Kohn and Cory Yager a chance to at least look at the facts before you give in. You can meet with Larry or Cory without any obligation or payment during your initial consultation.
What Percentage of People Go to Jail for a DUI?
Approximately 1 in 50 drivers in the U.S. has had a DUI incident in the past five years. About one-third of all drivers arrested for drunk driving are repeat offenders. The consequences are serious – a first-time DUI offense typically results in jail time, with sentences varying by state from 24 hours to 10 days for first-time offenders.
What State Has the Highest Rate of DUI?
South Carolina currently ranks as the worst state for drunk driving, with 43% of all traffic deaths involving alcohol-impaired drivers. Texas follows closely behind with 42% of traffic fatalities involving drunk drivers, while New Mexico ranks third with a 33% fatality rate. California reports the highest number of total DUI arrests at 98,084, though this reflects its larger population.
What Is the Harshest State for DUI?
Arizona consistently ranks as the state with the toughest DUI laws. First-time offenders face:
- Mandatory 10 days in jail
- Minimum $1,250 in fines
- Immediate license revocation
- Mandatory ignition interlock device installation
- Required drug and alcohol screenings
Utah has also gained attention for having the nation’s lowest blood alcohol limit at 0.05%, compared to 0.08% in other states. For commercial driver’s license (CDL) drivers the legal BAC is 0.04%, and for drivers under 21 the blood alcohol legal level is 0.02%.
How Many DUI Arrests in the US Each Year?
Approximately 1.5 million people are arrested annually for driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs. This translates to about one arrest for every 121 licensed drivers. Despite these high numbers, studies suggest that drunk drivers typically drive intoxicated about 80 times before their first arrest. Every day, about 37 people in the United States die in drunk-driving crashes – one person every 39 minutes. In 2022 alone, 13,524 people died in alcohol-impaired driving traffic deaths. So, how common is it to get a DUI in this country?
Despite having access to rideshare companies like Lyft and Uber, raising the legal drinking age to 21 in all 50 states, more awareness of the perils of driving intoxicated, harsher conviction penalties, and a decrease in alcohol consumption among young adults, police departments all over Georgia arrest muiltiple people every day for DUI alcohol or DUI drugs. But an arrest is not a conviction. Larry Kohn and Cory Yager will fight to keep this serious criminal conviction off your permanent record, and the problems it brings to your life.
Attorney Larry Kohn has worked with nationally-known DUI lawyer Bubba Head for over 25 years, and both men are DUI book authors. Each year these authors update The Georgia DUI Trial Practice Manual and The DUI Book National Edition which other attorneys keep at their desk as reference books. Mr. Kohn consistently has been recognized as a Super Lawyer by Martindale-Hubbell and has over 500 AVVO 5-star reviews since 1998. He graduated from Emory Law School after working as a stock broker.
Attorney Cory Yager also has only worked with Bubba Head and Larry Kohn his entire legal career. Before becoming a criminal defense lawyer Mr. Yager was a police officer in Cobb County GA and also in Roswell GA. He had on-the-job training arresting drivers for DUI, which makes Cory one of the best cross-examiners of police officers in Georgia. He knows the proper police procedures for stopping a driver’s vehicle, and for performing a valid DUI investigation at the roadside.
Cory attended law school at night while still holding down a full-time law enforcement job. Now he works tirelessly to defend his clients in Fulton County, Cobb County, DeKalb County, Forsyth County, Gwinnett County, and Clarke County.
If you’re facing DUI charges in Georgia, don’t wait to get help. Action needs to be taken within 30 days of your arrest or your driver’s license will be suspended for up to one year. Contact our experienced DUI defense team today at (404) 567-5515 for a free consultation to discuss your case and get answers to all of your questions.