Carrollton DUI Lawyer
If you were arrested on DUI charges you may be scared and unsure about your legal options. With the nation’s crackdown on driving under the influence in recent years, the penalties for a DUI conviction can be harsh and long-lasting.
Consider consulting a Carrollton DUI lawyer, who can discuss your legal options and determine a strong strategy to defend your case. A hard working defense attorney could help you understand the legal proceedings that will take place and how you can be prepared for them.
DUI Offenses in Carrollton
The Official Code of Georgia Annotated § 40-6-391 says that individuals who drive under the influence of alcohol or drugs, to the extent that it is less safe for them to drive, may be charged with a DUI. There are various categories and punishments for each type of DUI offense. Because there is also variability in sentencing within each category, a dedicated Carrollton DUI attorney could help fight for minimal penalties.
First DUI Offense
A first DUI offense is a misdemeanor. Individuals may face up to one year in jail, a minimum fine of $300 and a maximum fine of $1,000, and a mandatory minimum 40 hours of community service.
These individuals also must spend the remainder of one year (less any jail time) on probation. Individuals must complete DUI classes and obtain an alcohol and drugs evaluation during this time. If an addiction specialist recommends treatment, individuals must undergo treatment as recommended.
Second DUI Offense Within 10 Years
A second DUI within a ten-year period is also a misdemeanor. Convicted individuals will serve a mandatory minimum jail sentence of 48 hours and a potential jail sentence ranging from 90 days to one year. Individuals also will be subject to a fine ranging from a minimum of $600 to a maximum of $1,000, a minimum 30 days of community service, and seizure of their license plates by the court.
Third DUI Offense Within 10 Years
For a third DUI offense within ten years, the charge is elevated to a high and aggravated misdemeanor. The penalties include a mandatory minimum of 15 days in jail, a minimum fine of $1,000 and a maximum fine of $5,000, and a mandatory minimum of 30 days or 240 hours of community service.
A period of 12 months on probation also is required, during which individuals are subject to random drug and alcohol testing. Individuals also must publish their name, photo, and address in the local newspaper at their own expense. These individuals are declared as habitual violators and their license plates will be seized by the court.
Additionally, individuals who commit second and subsequent DUI offenses within five years must undergo a mandatory clinical evaluation and may have to complete a substance abuse treatment program at their own expense. Driver’s license suspensions of varying lengths also will apply in all DUI cases.
A fourth or subsequent DUI offense becomes a felony charge. In all of these situations, a Carrollton DUI lawyer could help.
Ignition Interlock Device Requirements
For a second DUI within five years, installation of an ignition interlock device on all vehicles driven by individuals is mandatory. This device may not be installed, however, until four months of the license suspension have passed. The device then must remain on an individual’s vehicle for a period of 12 months.
Under a 2017 update to Georgia law, individuals who have not had a prior DUI conviction in five years and face driver’s license suspension can opt to install an ignition interlock device on their vehicles. Doing so allows individuals to regain limited driving privileges, even on a second DUI charge.
Contacting a Carrollton DUI Attorney
Georgia DUI convictions can result in some of the harshest penalties in the country. The wide range of the punishments that apply in DUI cases can be overwhelming and impact your life for years to come.
Contact a Carrollton DUI lawyer today to learn about any legal options that you may have for maintaining your driving privileges and avoiding lengthy terms of incarceration.
