DUI Jail Time Georgia

If you were recently arrested for driving under the influence of alcohol (DUI) in Georgia, did you know that you may face jail time if you are convicted of the offense? Indeed, the state has some of the toughest sentencing guidelines in the nation when it comes to drunk driving. As a result, even a first-time offender can be sentenced to DUI jail time in Georgia.

Although most people think there's only one way a person can be charged with DUI, there are actually a number of actions that meet the legal criteria for drunk driving. For example, since federal law prohibits driving with a blood alcohol content (BAC) of 0.08% or more, you can be charged with per se DUI if you have a BAC above this limit. What's more, because this law makes driving with an illegal amount of alcohol a crime in and of itself, you don't even have to be impaired to be arrested for the offense.

In addition, if you are under 21 or operate a commercial vehicle, state law gives you even less leeway when it comes to blood alcohol content—with underage drivers allowed only a 0.02% BAC and commercial drivers restricted to a 0.04% limit.

Of course, these per se laws don’t mean you won't be charged with DUI if you have a BAC within the legal limit. Under Georgia's less safe DUI law, driving with any amount of alcohol in your system is also a crime if you are operating your vehicle in an unsafe manner. And, if you are pulled over for driving erratically and have a BAC above the federal limit, you could even be charged with both per se and less safe DUI.

In addition to the above offenses, you may also face DUI charges if you refuse to allow an officer to perform a breathalyzer, blood, or urine test in order to determine your BAC. In fact, refusing these tests can often lead to more serious penalties than other DUIs, as your actions violate the state's Implied Consent law.

Regardless of the type of DUI you are charged with, a drunk driving conviction carries some pretty hefty penalties. If you are convicted of the offense, you can expect a fine, license suspension, and jail sentence to be included in your punishment. Repeat offenders (individuals who have been convicted of one or more DUIs in the last five years) and drivers involved in serious auto accidents face even tougher consequences if they are found guilty.

The Law Offices of Head, Thomas, Webb, and Willis have handled every type of Georgia DUI charge on the books and our attorneys are well-versed in the defense strategies that work best for each situation.

To determine which tactics are right for your case, contact us today to schedule a free, no-obligation consultation with one of the most successful DUI defense firms in the state.

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