What you need to know after a DWI arrest in Atlanta
Drivers who have been arrested for DUI or driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs in Atlanta, Georgia, face severe DUI penalties including: fines, high insurance rates, loss of driving privileges, mandatory community service and the installation of an Ignition Interlock Device. Do not leave your future in the hands of an inexperienced DUI attorney, or worse, attempt to fight a DUI charge alone. DUI in Atlanta is not like other moving traffic violations. Pleading guilty to DUI with out understanding the consequences is not a good idea. Atlanta drivers can be arrested for DUI if they have compromised their ability to drive a motor vehicle by consuming alcohol or drugs or if their BAC or blood alcohol concentration is 0.08% or higher. Drunken driving in Georgia is also commonly called DWI (driving while intoxicated) and OUI (operating under the influence). Atlanta DUI criminal defense lawyers can interpret Georgia DUI laws and can work to get DUI charges dismissed or lowered. If neither of these options is a possibility, DWI lawyers in Atlanta are ready to take DUI cases to court. Penalties for DUI in Atlanta The DUI penalty information provided below is general information and may be updated periodically by the Georgia legislature. It is important to discuss the specific DUI penalties you may face with your own Atlanta DUI lawyer. First Conviction for DUI in Atlanta Atlanta drivers who are convicted of DUI in Atlanta may receive the following penalties:- Atlanta drivers are required to pay fines of $300 - $1,000.
- Atlanta drivers are required to spend 10 days to one year in jail. The DUI court may decide to suspend jail sentences or allow probation. Atlanta drivers who have a BAC (blood alcohol concentration) of 0.08% must serve a minimum of 24 hours in an Atlanta jail.
- The court will suspend the license of drivers (over the age of 21) for one year. The court may allow the drivers license to be reinstated after 120 days- if the driver meets all of the necessary requirements.
- Atlanta drivers are required to do community service for a minimum of 20 hours if their BAC was less than 0.08% or 40 hours if their BAC was greater than 0.08%.
- Atlanta drivers are required to attend an alcohol and drug rehabilitation program.
- Atlanta drivers must spend at least 72 hours in jail.
- Atlanta drivers must perform community service for at least 30 days.
- Atlanta drivers must pay fines of $600 - $1,000.
- Drivers are required to attend a drug or alcohol rehabilitation program.
- The court may suspend a drivers license up to 3 years. The court may allow the time to be lowered if the driver installs an Ignition Interlock Device in their vehicle.
- Atlanta drivers must spend a minimum of 15 days in jail. The court may impose a jail sentence of 120 days to 1 year.
- Atlanta drivers must perform community service for at least 30 days.
- Atlanta drivers are required to pay fines of $1,000 - $5,000.
- Atlanta drivers must attend a drug or alcohol rehabilitation program.
- Drivers may face a 5 year license revocation, but the court may reduce the amount of time if the driver installs an Ignition Interlock Device in their vehicle and completes 17 weeks of an alcohol treatment program.
- Atlanta drivers are required to spend a minimum of 90 days in jail. The courts may impose a jail sentence from 1 to 5 years.
- Atlanta drivers must perform community service for at least 60 days.
- Atlanta drivers are required to pay fines of $1,000 - $5,000.
- The court requires drivers to attend a drug or alcohol rehabilitation program.
- The court may impose a 5 year license suspension.
