Atlanta DUI Attorneys

Being arrested for a DUI in Atlanta Georgia doesn’t have to be as stressful as you might think. With the help of many of the Atlanta DUI attorneys that specialize in DUI cases, you get the charges lowered or even dismissed with the proper representation. Fighting a DUI arrest can also offer benefits like obtaining a temporary license or being allowed to drive on an interlock license.

In the state of Georgia, a program was established where anyone convicted of a DUI has to complete a Risk Reduction Program. All judges are required to court order this program no matter if you have one or multiple DUI’s. The goal of the program is to provide intervention in order to save lives with the hope that the person will not repeat their mistakes.

There are other standard court-imposed penalties associated with a DUI, and retaining on of the reputable Atlanta DUI attorneys that are available is important in order to protect your rights. The following is a brief summary of the penalties for DUI’s in the state of Georgia.

1) If you receive a DUI for the first time, you will be charged with a misdemeanor and if convicted, the following could occur:

• The court could order you to pay a fine of $300 to $1,000
• The court could impose a jail term of 10 days to 12 months.
• If you BAC is over .08, it is a mandatory 24 hour stay in jail.
• If your BAC is under .08, the judge could suspend, stay, or offer probation if you choose one of the many Atlanta DUI attorneys that are available.
• A good attorney could also get the mandatory 40 hours of community service reduced to 20 hours if your BAC was less than .08.
• As we stated above, you will have to complete a Risk Reduction Program regardless of what your BAC shows.
• Up to 12 months probation
• Suspension of driver’s license for one year

Atlanta DUI Attorneys

2) If you receive a second offense within five years of your first, you will be charged with a misdemeanor and could receive the following penalties:

• $600 to $1,000 in fines
• Mandatory 72 hours in jail immediately following the incident and a sentence of ninety days to 12 months in jail
• Court ordered community service of 30 days
• Mandatory Risk Reduction Program attendance
• Court ordered evaluation for alcohol and drug treatment, and completion of treatment program implemented in your sentence
• 12 months of probation
• Suspension of driver’s license for three years

If you are charged with a third offense, your charge will be a misdemeanor with high and aggravated circumstances. If you did not seek representation for the previous DUI’s, now more than ever you need to research some of the experienced Atlanta DUI Attorneys to help.

3) If you receive a third offense you could face:

• $1,000 to $5,000 in fines
• Mandatory prison for 120 days to 12 months, and a minimum of 15 days of incarceration following arrest
• Community service for 30 days
• As will all DUI’s, completion of a Risk Reduction Program
• Evaluation for drug and alcohol and completion of treatment if court ordered
• 12 months probation
• Suspension of your driver’s license for five years

Seeking the advice of any of the experienced Atlanta DUI attorneys, especially if you are contemplating pleading no-contest is recommended. The state of Georgia has higher consequences on record for sentences imposed to people who plead no-contest. Pleading no-contest is the same as pleading or being found guilty and will go on your permanent record.

Preparing yourself before your court appearance can also be just as important to your defense. Any one of the Atlanta DUI attorneys who are experienced can guide you on steps you should be taking such as entering a 12-step program, seeking one on one counseling, or even taking a state-approved defensive drivers course, which can also help reduce the number points on your license.