Savannah Georgia DUI Lawyer

GA DUI Overview

 

DUI Defenses
Field Sobriety Tests

Breath Test
Blood Alcohol Content (BAC)

 

Driving under the influence is a misdemeanor in the state of Georgia, and there are two different statues  under which an individual can be arrested for and charged with DUI in the state. The first one is called the "per se" law, and this comes into play when a driver's blood alcohol level is measured at .08 or above.

 

One can also be charged with DUI under this provision due to possession of a controlled substance even without the incriminating blood alcohol level.

 

However, in Georgia, you can also be charged with driving under the influence based on the arresting officer's evaluation of your behavior behind the wheel before you were pulled over or involved in a collision; this is known as the "less safe" statute. In other words, you can be convicted of DUI with a blood alcohol level of less than .08 in Georgia if it can be proven that your ingestion of alcohol made you a "less safe" driver.

 

The penalties for driving under the influence are significant all around the country, and Georgia is no exception. A first offense over a five year period will result in a suspension of your license for one year (though you can apply for a permit allowing limited driving), and one must complete a Risk Reduction Program and pay a reinstatement fee to get the license restored. Other penalties include a fine of up to $1,000 and no less than $300, at least one twenty-four hour period in jail, a year of probation, and forty hours of community service.

 

Those who are charged with their second Georgia DUI during any five year period, or third in a ten year span, are subject to a three year suspension of license, and they are ineligible for even a limited permit for the first year. A minimum of fifteen days in jail is mandatory, and second time offenders face fines ranging from $1,000 up to $5,000. The community service requirement is thirty days, and once again the defendant must serve a year on probation. After the initial year, the first six-month limited permit requires an ignition interlock device that measure BAC before allowing the car to start.

 

If you or a loved one are suspected of a DUI in Savannah Georgia, then call a Savannah GA DUI defense attorney at (phone).