Those who reside in Gwinnett County, Georgia are subject to the Drunk driving law in Georgia. If you are charged with a DUI, you will face a number of penalties and consequences.
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DUI charges in Gwinnett County
Whether you’re charged with DUI in Gwinnett County, Georgia or anywhere else in the state, it’s critical to have an experienced attorney on your side. Not only will an attorney fight the charge, but they can help you avoid the consequences of a DUI conviction.
DUI, or driving under the influence of alcohol, is a criminal charge that can lead to jail time, hefty fines, and a damaged reputation. The consequences of a DUI conviction can also impact your future job prospects.
The most important thing to remember is that there are many options for a Gwinnett DUI defense. You can choose to plead guilty to a lesser charge, or you can fight the charge in court. In Gwinnett County, Georgia, there are two courts that handle DUI cases: the Gwinnett County State Court and the Gwinnett County Recorder’s Court. Each has different procedures for handling DUI cases.
Gwinnett State Court has six state court judges who handle misdemeanor traffic offenses. This means that DUI charges can be heard in state court, as well as municipal courts. In addition to handling misdemeanor cases, the Gwinnett State Court accepts cases from the Gwinnett County Recorder’s court.
A DUI defense attorney can review the scene of your arrest, including police reports, videotape evidence, and field sobriety tests. The attorney will also attempt to dismiss or lower the charge, or provide a winning defense strategy.
Gwinnett DUI attorneys are also highly knowledgeable about the judges in the Gwinnett County Recorder’s courts. Their familiarity with the judges means that you’ll have a better chance at fighting your charges.
Aside from the usual fines and jail time, a DUI conviction can result in the suspension of your license. The maximum jail sentence for a misdemeanor DUI charge is 12 months. If you are convicted of a DUI, you can also face a license suspension for a year. If you fail to address the suspension within 30 days of your arrest, your license can be suspended for another year.
Having an experienced DUI lawyer on your side is the only way to avoid being convicted of a DUI in Gwinnett County. Even if you’re convicted, you can still appeal your case.
DUI penalties in Georgia
Getting arrested for driving under the influence in Georgia is a serious matter. DUI penalties in Georgia can include jail time, fines, and license suspension. These consequences can be expensive and damaging to your life. You will want to seek legal counsel before facing a DUI charge.
The maximum penalty for a first DUI offense is twelve months license suspension. You can avoid the suspension if you complete a DUI school and supervised probation. The license suspension period for a second DUI offense is six months. The third DUI offense carries a minimum five year license suspension.
The third DUI offense also carries a minimum of fifteen days in jail. A third DUI offense is considered a habitual offender. A judge can give credit for time served after the arrest. Those convicted of a third DUI offense are also required to complete an alcohol or drug treatment program.
Depending on the severity of the offense, you could be required to perform community service or complete a DUI school program. Your driving record will reflect your criminal record.
A DUI offense by test result that shows an unsafe alcohol level carries a minimum of 24 hours in jail, a $200 fee, and a minimum of forty hours of community service. The DUI school program can be completed at a cost of $300.
Young drivers in Georgia can be charged with DUI if their blood alcohol concentration (BAC) is over 0.02% but under 0.08%. Drivers under the age of 21 will face the same DUI penalties as older drivers.
For a third DUI offense, a driver may also be required to complete a Drug and Alcohol Risk Reduction program. Drivers convicted of a fourth DUI offense are automatically convicted of a felony. The fourth DUI offense carries a fine of $1,000-$5,000.
A DUI offense in Georgia can also have a significant impact on your employment. Many of these penalties will stay on your driving record forever. You may also be required to pay reinstatement fees that include drug and alcohol counseling.
DUI penalties in Georgia vary depending on the nature of the DUI arrest, the blood alcohol level, and your prior criminal record. It is important to work with an attorney who understands Georgia DUI laws to help you navigate your case.
Refusal to answer questions about drug use
During a DUI arrest, an officer is likely to ask you if you’ve had any drinks. You’re likely to be asked questions about alcohol, medical conditions, and driving under the influence. You may also be asked to participate in a field sobriety test. While this test is not always effective, it is the most common one used by police.
If you’re asked to take a breathalyzer test, it’s not a bad idea to refuse. A breath test can be unreliable, and false highs can be quite unnerving.
A blood test is much more accurate and reliable. If you refuse a blood test, your license will be suspended for at least 30 days. The results of a blood test can be used to prove a DUI. This test should be administered by qualified medical personnel. It is a good idea to speak to an attorney before you make a decision. If you’re charged with a DUI, you may have a legal defense if you can establish that you were under the influence of drugs or alcohol at the time of your arrest. Luckily, the Georgia Department of Driver Services has your back.
There are other tests that can be used to bolster a DUI charge. The Hands-Free Georgia Act bans the use of hand-held devices while driving. The gist of the law is that using a hand-held device while driving is a bad idea, so do not attempt to use one if you’re drunk or impaired. This law is the best way to prevent drunk driving and a crash.
It’s not difficult to see why police officers ask you if you’ve had any drinks. While alcohol is a common occurrence among young drivers, it’s also the most effective drug of all. Despite its widespread use, Georgia has a zero tolerance for underage drunk driving. In the state of Georgia, the drinking age is 21. Considering that the death toll from a traffic crash is on the rise, it’s time to make the wise decision. For more information about Georgia driving laws, visit the Georgia Department of Driver Services website.
Getting a temporary driving permit
Getting a temporary driving permit in Gwinnett Drunk driving law is a legal process that allows drivers to drive while their license is suspended. It has strict terms and conditions that drivers must follow to ensure they keep their driving privileges. A driver’s license suspension is a serious offense, and drivers should avoid driving while their license is suspended.
Georgia has zero tolerance for underage DUI. Drivers under the age of 21 are not eligible for limited driving permits. Instead, they are required to take a 20-hour DUI school. They also have to pay to install an ignition interlock device on their vehicle. This device will prevent the vehicle from starting if the driver’s blood alcohol level is higher than 0.00%.
Drivers who refuse the chemical test or who have a previous DUI conviction are not eligible for limited driving permits. They also cannot get a work permit. In addition, they cannot drive to church, social appointments, or the mall. A limited driving permit in Georgia can only be issued for private vehicles.
Drivers must complete an alcohol and drug awareness program and pay a reinstatement fee. This fee is $200, whether it is done in person or through the mail. In Georgia, you can also apply for an Ignition Interlock Device Limited Permit. Depending on the circumstances of your offense, you may also be required to install an ignition interlock device on your vehicle.
The Georgia Department of Driver Services (DDS) may revoke a driver’s license for certain misdemeanor traffic offenses. The DDS also suspends licenses for DUI convictions. The length of a license suspension depends on the individual’s driving history and blood alcohol level. If a driver’s blood alcohol level exceeds the legal limit, a 12-month license suspension is imposed.
In Georgia, drivers are required to submit to a chemical test before they can receive a restricted or limited driving permit. If a driver agrees to the chemical test, he or she may receive a temporary restricted permit. However, if a driver refuses the chemical test, he or she will be cited for a DUI. He or she may also lose administrative license suspension hearing.