Posted by duijim in on December 20, 2022
The state of Georgia has a tough drunken driving law. The consequences can be severe, including losing your driver’s license, jail time, and hefty fines. If you are arrested for driving under the influence, you should consult a DUI attorney.
The DUI is an acronym for “driving under the influence.” In Georgia, it means having a blood alcohol concentration of 0.08 percent or higher. In order to be found guilty of a DUI, the police must have probable cause to believe that you were driving under the influence. You can also be charged for being drunk if you caused an accident.
If you are arrested for a DUI, you may be required to complete an ignition interlock device. You can have your license revoked permanently if you are convicted of a third or fourth DUI. You can also be a candidate for a DUI diversion program. These programs allow you to avoid jail time and the loss of your driving privileges.
Another important thing to remember is that the laws and penalties for a DUI vary by the circumstances surrounding the incident. In some instances, you can be convicted of a DUI even if you did not cause an accident. If you have a prior DUI, you might be given a longer sentence. For example, if you were involved in a drunken driving incident that killed or seriously injured another person, you may be given more time to pay up or receive a shorter sentence.
If you have been caught driving under the influence, you can also be faced with a civil court case. You may be sued for injuries if you were the drunk driver or for property damage if you were the owner of the car. In addition, you can be sued for personal injury or wrongful death. This is especially true if you were a minor at the time of the crash.
Other states have more restrictive laws, such as Arizona. However, Georgia has some of the toughest drunken driving laws in the country. The minimum mandatory penalties are in place to protect the public from irresponsible drivers. In fact, the statewide minimum penalty for a first offense DUI is 10 days in jail and a $1,000 fine. There are more serious penalties for a second or subsequent offense, such as 30 days in jail and a $1,000 fine.
The law also requires that you enroll in a DUI school. This is called a “risk-reduction school” by Georgia statutes. You must complete this within 120 days of your arrest for a DUI. You may be required to install an ignition interlock device if you are convicted of a second or subsequent DUI.
A second DUI is a misdemeanor in Georgia, but a third or subsequent conviction is a felony. In most cases, you will not have to serve a term in jail for a second offense, but you will have to install an ignition interlock device and you will have to attend DUI school.