If you’ve been charged with DUI, you are in a very serious situation. Georgia has tough laws against driving under the influence of alcohol and drugs. If convicted, you could face fines, jail time, and a suspended license, along with damage to your personal and professional reputation.
It might feel like a hopeless situation when you are facing the full force of the criminal justice system, but you don’t have to go through it alone. Our DUI defense lawyers in White will work to minimize the impact of your charges and possibly prove your innocence.
Our legal team at Speights Law has been standing up for the rights of Georgians accused of crimes for over 20 years. Call today to get a case consultation and learn how our Criminal Defense Lawyers in White can help with your DUI charges.
How a DUI Lawyer Can Help
Hiring a defense lawyer isn’t always necessary for minor criminal infractions, but for something as serious as a DUI charge, you are wise to get legal help. In some cases, a skilled lawyer can mean the difference between prison time and beating your charges.
While no two situations are the same, some of the ways our DUI defense attorneys in White may be able to help with your case include:
Case Evaluation and Legal Strategy
We’ll help you understand your charges and choose whether to contest them or negotiate a plea deal. If you decide to fight, our team will review evidence for legal flaws, challenge any improper police conduct, and develop a customized defense plan.
Minimize or Avoid Penalties
We can negotiate for reduced charges or sentences, potentially avoiding jail, lowering fines, and arranging alternatives like community service or treatment programs. This is especially effective if it is your first DUI offence and you have a clean criminal record.
Courtroom Representation
If your case goes to trial, we’ll handle all legal procedures and paperwork and protect your rights throughout the process. In court, we will argue on your behalf and challenge the prosecution’s evidence.
License Protection
We can represent you in license suspension hearings, with the goal of preventing lengthier suspensions and helping you regain your driving privileges as soon as possible. We’ll handle your DMV hearing and help secure a limited driving permit if needed.
First Offense DUI in Georgia DUI
A first-offense DUI in Georgia is a misdemeanor but carries serious consequences. Penalties can include:
- Up to 12 months in jail
- $300 to $1,000 fine
- 12 months probation
- Up to 40 hours of community service.
The Georgia Department of Driver Services typically imposes a 12-month suspension, but many first-time offenders can apply for a limited driving permit after completing an alcohol or drug use risk reduction program.
Repeat DUI Offense In Georgia
Repeat DUI offenders in Georgia face increasingly severe penalties, such as:
- A second DUI is still a misdemeanor but includes 72 hours to 12 months in jail, $600–$1,000 in fines, and at least 240 hours of community service.
- A third DUI is classified as a high and aggravated misdemeanor, carrying 15 days to 12 months in jail, up to $5,000 in fines, over 240 hours of community service, and 12 months of probation.
After a third DUI, your license may be revoked for at least five years, you will be designated a Habitual Violator, and you must surrender your license plate. It’s important to contact a DUI defense lawyer in White when facing such serious consequences.
Felony DUI
A felony DUI in Georgia occurs mainly when it’s your fourth DUI within 10 years or if your DUI causes serious injury or death. Penalties include up to 5 years in prison, fines of up to $5,000, up to 5 years of probation, and community service.
Additionally, driving under the influence with children under 14 in the vehicle results in separate DUI charges for each child. If these additional counts bring the total to four DUI convictions within 10 years, it can lead to a felony DUI.
A felony DUI also results in a 5-year license revocation, with a mandatory ignition interlock device required for any restricted driving privileges afterward. Because felony convictions carry a permanent criminal record, they can severely impact employment, housing, and other rights.
Connect with a DUI Attorney in White
A DUI arrest can be intimidating. Police and prosecutors can make it seem like you are guilty, no matter the facts of your case. They will aggressively pursue your charges, with the full strength of the government behind them. It doesn’t seem fair, and it can feel like there is no way out.
It’s important to remember that you have rights, and the burden of proof is on the prosecution. Our DUI defense attorneys in White will review your charges and devise a legal strategy for the best outcome possible. Don’t try to take on the government by yourself.
At Speights Law, our team has over 122 years of combined experience advocating for people accused of criminal activity in the state of Georgia. Call today to get a case consultation and tell us about your case.