Posted by duijim in on December 10, 2018
Less than two years after being charged with four counts of felony DUI, a man in Savannah was found not guilty on all charges and released from jail. In 2016, the man was charged with three counts of DUI with bodily injury as well as one count of DUI resulting in death. These charges arose from an accident that occurred when the man crossed the centerline of US 17 and collided head-on with another vehicle.
Georgia law enforcement determined that the man was driving under the influence of alcohol. During the case’s trial, the defendant told jurors that he does not recall any details of the accident except for waking up in the hospital.
There are several ways in Georgia in which a DUI can be raised from a misdemeanor to a felony. For many individuals in Georgia who are stopped on the suspicion of driving under the influence, they will be charged with a misdemeanor. If one of a small group of elements occurs, however, a person could end up facing a felony DUI charge instead.
Causing Death or Serious Bodily Injury
If a driver who is operating a vehicle while under the influence of alcohol causes an accident that results in serious injury or death, the driver can expect to face a felony charge. In these situations, it does not matter if the driver has a previous driving offense. The penalties that a driver can face if someone is injured or killed in an accident are particularly severe.
Drivers Who are Classified as High-Risk Operators
Some drivers have jobs that require them to take care of the safety of others. School bus drivers are one type of worker that falls into this category. Under these laws, a driver who drinks and drives can face several years in prison.
Drivers Who Have Multiple Offenses
There is a time window in Georgia that establishes elevated penalties if a driver has been convicted of a DUI within a specified period of time. The more convictions that a person has, the more serious the penalties they can end up facing. If a Georgia driver has a previous DUI conviction within the last 10 years, then he or she can expect to receive serious penalties upon conviction of another DUI.
Speak with an Experienced DUI Attorney Today
Being convicted of a felony DUI in Georgia can result in numerous complications that can forever change a person’s life. In addition to potentially spending years in prison, drivers convicted of felony DUIs pay thousands of dollars of fines and often encounter problems in obtaining housing, loans, or employment.
To respond to DUI charges, it is best to obtain the assistance of an experienced DUI attorney who understands how to fight for the best possible outcome in your case. Contact Yeargan & Kert, LLC today to schedule a free consultation.