When you have been charged with DUI in Georgia, you may feel overwhelmed. Understanding the laws as well as the various pieces of evidence that the state will try to use against you in your case can help you make sense of the complicated legal process. Most importantly, working with an experienced attorney you can trust will increase your chances of a favorable outcome in your case.
Laws and Penalties
Any individual who is pulled over for driving with a blood alcohol content (BAC) at or above .08% will be arrested for driving under the influence. Georgia law is strict regarding DUI. Even first offenders face serious consequences that could include jail time. Second and subsequent offenses are punishable by more expensive fines and longer license suspension periods and jail sentences.
Saving Your License
After a DUI arrest, your license is immediately at stake. You will be given a temporary license that will expire 30 days after you are arrested, unless you request a license suspension hearing with the DMV. You only have 10 days from the date of your arrest, or you will lose your driving privileges for one year.
Field Sobriety Tests
When conducting a DUI investigation, the police officer may ask you to perform a battery of field sobriety tests. Sanctioned by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), these tests include the horizontal gaze nystagmus, the one-leg stand and the walk-and-turn. These tests are notoriously flawed and nearly impossible to pass; however, prosecutors regularly use the results of failed tests as evidence against accused drunk drivers in court.
Chemical Tests
Law enforcement will use either a breath, blood or urine test to determine your blood alcohol content. You may be asked to submit to a roadside breath test. Although submitting to this test is not required under Georgia law, you are required to consent to the official breath or blood test after your arrest that will be offered at the police station.
Challenging DUI Evidence – Starting at $2,500
If you are facing DUI charges in Georgia, you need the legal assistance of an experienced attorney. But remember: time is not on your side, so finding the right attorney is of the utmost importance.
Joey Turner of The Turner Firm understands the stress of a DUI charge and what’s at stake—and how you may be feeling overwhelmed during this time. If you have questions about your case or about how the legal process works in Georgia, give Joey a call. Schedule a free consultation today to talk through the details of your case.