If you are charged with a DUI, you’re facing serious consequences, including fines, possible jail time, and a license suspension, even for a first offense. Georgia takes DUI very seriously, and prosecutors may push hard for a conviction, even if the evidence is flawed.
Don’t let one mistake define your future. Our DUI defense lawyers in Kingston can help you fight for the best possible outcome, given your circumstances. In some situations, we may be able to argue for lesser charges or have your charges dropped entirely.
When it comes to criminal defense in Georgia, our team at Speights Law has over 122 years of combined experience. Call today to schedule a case consultation and find out how our criminal defense lawyers in Kingston can help with your DUI charges.
Should You Hire an Attorney?
A DUI arrest is serious, and the consequences can follow you for life. In Georgia, a DUI conviction becomes a permanent part of your criminal and driving record. This can harm job prospects, raise insurance costs, and threaten professional licenses.
Legal help gives you the best chance to protect your rights, your license, and your future.
A skilled attorney may help you avoid a conviction altogether or reduce the charges. Some of the ways our DUI attorneys in Kingston may be able to help include:
Investigate Your Arrest
Our team understands the law and knows how to exploit weaknesses in the prosecution’s case to strengthen your defense. We may be able to challenge mistakes in breath or blood testing, improper arrests, or unlawful traffic stops.
Argue for Reduced Charges
Depending on the facts and your record, we may negotiate a reduced charge. This alternative often carries lighter penalties and can help you avoid long-term consequences.
Represent You in Court
If your DUI case goes to trial, our attorneys know how to challenge the state’s evidence, cross-examine officers, introduce expert testimony, and build a persuasive case for acquittal. A skilled attorney can make the difference between conviction and dismissal.
Protect Your Driving Status
After a DUI arrest in Georgia, you have just 30 days to request an Administrative License Suspension hearing. If you miss the deadline, your license is automatically suspended. We can file on time, represent you at the hearing, and fight to keep you driving legally.
Penalties for DUI In Kingston, Georgia
Georgia has some of the harshest DUI laws in the nation. A conviction can drastically affect your freedom, finances, and future. Even if it’s your first offense, you could face:
- Up to 12 months in jail
- Fines ranging from $300 to $1,000
- Driver’s license suspension for up to 12 months
- At least 40 hours of mandatory community service
- Completion of a DUI Alcohol or Drug Use Risk Reduction Program
- Up to 12 months of probation
These penalties often come with additional consequences, such as higher insurance premiums and difficulty obtaining professional licenses. Our Kingston DUI defense lawyers give you a fighting chance.
Defenses Against DUI Charges
Effective defenses against a DUI charge in Georgia depend on the facts of your case. Our team will investigate the circumstances of your arrest in order to build a strong defense in your favor. Some avenues we may explore include:
- Unlawful Traffic Stop: If police lacked a valid reason to stop you, any evidence gathered may be thrown out as a constitutional violation.
- Inaccurate Breath or Blood Test Results: Faulty equipment, improper procedures, or medical conditions can produce false BAC readings, making chemical test results inadmissible in court.
- Improper Field Sobriety Testing: Incorrect instructions, uneven terrain, or health issues can invalidate field sobriety tests.
- No Proof of Actual Driving: If no one saw you driving or in control of the vehicle, the state may not be able to prove a DUI charge.
- Rising Blood Alcohol Defense: Your BAC may have been under the limit while driving, but rose later, suggesting you weren’t impaired at the time of vehicle operation.
- Medical Conditions or Physical Limitations: Some conditions or injuries can mimic intoxication symptoms or affect test results, offering an alternative explanation.
- Video or Dash Cam Evidence: Police video may show you acting sober or performing well, contradicting the officer’s report and undermining the DUI charge.
Get Help from a DUI Defense Attorney in Kingston
It is easy to feel like there is no way out when you are facing a DUI charge. A conviction not only means fines and possible time in jail, but also license restrictions and damage to your professional and social reputation. But don’t give up hope.
Our DUI defense attorneys in Kingston can review your case and work to find solutions that minimize the impact of your charge on your life. If you choose to fight your charges, we’ll build the strongest defense we can to win your case in court.
At Speights Law, we’ve been advocating for Georgians accused of crimes for almost 25 years. We are here to protect your rights and make sure you are treated fairly by the justice system. Call today to set up a case consultation and talk about your DUI charges.
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(770) 479-1500