DUI Laws Georgia

Like most states, lawmakers in Georgia take drunk driving very seriously—and they have passed a number of DUI laws to prove it. As a result, it is important to be familiar with these legal guidelines if you are one of the many drivers who frequently travel Georgia's highways.

In the United States, it is against the law to operate a vehicle with a blood alcohol content (BAC) of 0.08% or higher. As specified by this limit, any person caught driving with a BAC above this amount can be arrested and charged with DUI—even if his or her ability to drive was not impaired. In other words, simply driving with an illegal amount of alcohol in your system is a crime.

At the same time, state law also prohibits driving with any amount of alcohol in your system if it affects your ability to operate a vehicle safely. In other words, if you are driving in a manner that poses a risk to other motorists, you can be arrested for DUI if your BAC is well below the federal limit. What's more, drivers under the age of 21 as well as those who operate a commercial vehicle must adhere to lower BAC limits mandated by state law—0 .02% and 0.04%, respectively.

It is also important to know that you can be charged with DUI for refusing to allow an officer to administer a chemical test. Designed to help officers identify drunk drivers, chemical tests calculate BAC based on a person’s breath, blood, or urine sample. Under the state's Implied Consent Law, all drivers are expected to submit to these tests if a law enforcement officers suspects they are driving under the influence of alcohol and/or drugs.

Regardless of the exact offense, the penalties for drinking and driving in Georgia are some of the toughest in the nation. Even a first-time offender faces an automatic license suspension, expensive fines, and mandatory jail time if convicted. In addition, the charge will remain on your criminal record indefinitely—threatening countless employment, housing, and educational opportunities in the future.

If you were recently arrested for DUI in Georgia, the best way you can avoid the consequences of a drunk driving conviction is by seeking help from a skilled DUI defense attorney. As one of the most successful firms in the state, the Law Offices of Head, Thomas, Webb, and Willis provide the knowledge and experience you need in order to achieve a successful resolution for your case.

For years, we've helped drivers like you reduce or eliminate the charges against them—and we can do the same for you as well.

To start planning your defense, contact our firm today to schedule a free consultation with one of our attorneys. We’ll protect your rights every step of the way and help you avoid the consequences of a DUI conviction.

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