DUI in Georgia
Driving under the influence of alcohol (DUI) is one of the most serious charges a motorist can face—especially if they were arrested in Georgia. With some of the toughest DUI laws in the nation, the state also has some of the harshest sentencing guidelines for those who are convicted of the offense. If you were charged with DUI in Georgia, it is important to obtain legal representation immediately after your arrest.
Because alcohol can greatly reduce a person’s ability to operate a vehicle safely—often impairing coordination and motor skills, for example—federal law limits the amount of alcohol a driver is allowed to have in his or her bloodstream. Research suggests that most people begin to show signs of impairment when their blood to alcohol ratio, also known as blood alcohol content (BAC), reaches 0.08%.
Based on this research, each state has passed laws to prohibit drivers from operating a vehicle with a BAC of 0.08% or more. Unfortunately, this means that, even if you show no signs of impairment, you can still be charged for having an illegal amount of alcohol in your system. In Georgia, this is known as a “per se” DUI offense.
What’s more, under state law, it is also a crime to get behind the wheel if your ability to drive is impaired by alcohol. As a result, you can be arrested for drunk driving if your BAC is within the legal limit, but show signs of intoxication—this is what is known as a Georgia “less safe” DUI offense. It is also important to be aware that the federal BAC limit is substantially lower for drivers under 21, as well as commercial vehicle operators (0.02% and 0.04%, respectively).
Regardless of which of these laws you violate, the minimum penalties for a DUI conviction include a mandatory license suspension, fine, and even jail time. This means that, if you are convicted of drunk driving, the judge has little leeway when imposing your sentence. However, he or she does get the final say when it comes to deciding whether your jail sentence will be waived in lieu of probation or spent behind bars.
After representing countless drivers across the state, Head, Thomas, Webb, and Willis have dealt with a number of different DUI judges. We are familiar with their policies and attitudes toward DUI offenders, so we know which ones tend to show leniency and which ones do not. This information can be extremely beneficial if your case goes to trial, as our attorneys can decide which defense strategy is best for your case based on the judge assigned to it.
For a free, no-obligation evaluation of your case, call our firm today. We’ve helped thousands of Georgia drivers reduce or eliminate the charges against them in criminal court, and we may be able to help you do the same as well. To discuss the best tactics for your situation, give us a call today and put one of the most successful firms in the state to work for you.
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