Georgia Drunk Driving Laws
With its numerous highways and busy interstate system, it’s no surprise that Georgia is home to some of the most highly trafficked roads in the nation. So it’s not that shocking to discover the number of motorists who are pulled over each day for speeding and other minor traffic offenses. However, when it comes to driving while under the influence of alcohol (DUI), Georgia drunk driving laws should not be taken so lightly. In fact, in terms of sentencing, the state imposes some of the toughest penalties on individuals who are convicted of the offense.
State law specifies a number of actions that can lead to a person’s arrest for DUI in Georgia. Because drivers who have a blood alcohol content (BAC) of 0.08% or higher are considered intoxicated from a legal perspective, you do not have to show signs of impairment to be charged with drunk driving. Instead, simply driving with an illegal amount of alcohol in your system is enough to warrant your arrest—an offense known as “per se” DUI. On the other hand, if an officer pulls you over for driving erratically or other serious traffic offense (such as driving on the wrong side of the road or swerving in and out of lanes), you may also be considered impaired if you have any amount of alcohol in your system at all. In such cases, rather than per se DUI, you will be charged with a “less safe” offense.
Drivers who are under 21, as well as those who operate a commercial vehicle, must adhere to lower BAC requirements of 0.02% and 0.04%, respectively. What’s more, all drivers—regardless of their age or license classification—must abide by the state’s “Implied Consent Law,” a statute that requires you to comply with any officer who asks you to perform a breathalyzer or other chemical test to determine your BAC.
If you are found guilty of per se or less safe DUI—or even convicted of an Implied Consent violation—you can expect the penalties for your offense to include a mandatory license suspension, fine, and jail sentence. In addition, the court will also look at your previous criminal history and, if you have one or more DUI convictions on your record, most likely impose additional penalties such as community service, alcohol treatment, and/or completing a driver’s education program. After two convictions, you may even have to pay to have your name and picture published in a local newspaper, while if you are found guilty of four or more DUIs, you could face felony charges as a result.
Given the numerous penalties associated with a Georgia DUI, many drivers who are charged with the offense must seek legal counsel in order to avoid the life-altering consequences of a conviction. To improve your chances of obtaining a favorable outcome for your case, submit your information online today to schedule a free, no-obligation consultation with an experienced DUI defense attorney in your area.
