DUI Georgia First Offense

If you were recently arrested for driving under the influence (DUI) in Georgia, you may think you have nothing to worry about. After all, with the number of people who are arrested for drunk driving each year, the offense can’t be that serious, right? Wrong. Under state law, a DUI conviction can result in an automatic license suspension, fines of $300 or more, and mandatory jail time—and that’s just for a DUI Georgia first offense.

Although most people are well-versed in the dangers of drinking and driving, thousands are arrested each year for doing just that. Ironically, a large number of these individuals did not even realize they were breaking the law at the time they were arrested. If you’re wondering how that could possibly happen, then you just might be one of them, and it’s time to familiarize yourself with the legal definition of DUI.

In Georgia, as well as all of the 49 remaining states, it is against the law to operate a vehicle if you have a blood alcohol content (BAC) of 0.08% or more—period. In other words, regardless of your ability to drive, you can still be charged with DUI for having an illegal amount of alcohol in your system. However, you can also be arrested if your BAC is within the legal limit, but show signs of impairment (this is known as a “less safe” offense).

Regardless of the circumstances of your arrest, the penalties for DUI are the same for anyone who is convicted. What’s more, because our state has mandatory sentencing guidelines, there’s no way to avoid punishment if you are found guilty. This means that, even if you have no prior criminal record, the judge must impose the minimum penalties specified by state law—and of course, he or she can also add more penalties depending on the circumstances of your arrest.

For a first-time offender (meaning you have never been convicted of DUI in the past), the minimum penalties for a drunk driving conviction include a one-year license suspension, 40 hours of community service, a $300 fine, probation, and a 24-hour jail sentence. In addition, the judge may also order you to complete a DUI education program and/or enroll in an alcohol treatment program.

We will go over every detail of your arrest to determine the best defense strategy to use and improve your chances of obtaining a favorable outcome in court.

To learn more about how our DUI attorneys can help you, contact Head, Thomas, Webb, and Willis today for a free consultation.

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