DUI Penalties

Georgia DUI Lawyer

Because the penalties for a DUI conviction can be severe, it is vital that you have an experienced DUI lawyer by your side throughout the process. Ben has represented people charged with driving under the influence all across Georgia. Even when the facts of the case are not in your favor, measures can still be taken to minimize the consequences.

DUI First Conviction

A first conviction for driving under the influence subjects you to the following penalties:

a mandatory 12 month sentence with at least 24 hours in jail
a minimum $300 fine
40 hours community service
risk reduction school aka DUI school
a drug and alcohol abuse evaluation and any recommended treatment
license suspension for 120 days, although a limited permit may be obtainable immediately following the conviction

DUI Second Conviction

A second conviction for driving under the influence is punishable as follows:

a mandatory 12 month sentence with at least 72 hours in jail
a minimum $600 fine
240 hours community service
risk reduction school aka DUI school
a drug and alcohol abuse evaluation and any recommended treatment
a published notice of conviction
license suspension for three years, with no limited permit available for the first 120 days, and full reinstatement possible after 18 months upon proof of completing risk reduction school and one year of ignition interlock device

Third DUI Conviction

A third conviction for driving under the influence is punishable as follows:

a mandatory 12 month sentence with at least 15 days in jail
a minimum $1,000 fine
240 hours community service
risk reduction school aka DUI school
a drug and alcohol abuse evaluation and any recommended treatment
a published notice of conviction
license revocation for five years

Fourth DUI Conviction

A fourth conviction for DUI is punishable as a felony, with the following penalties:

a mandatory 5 year sentence with at least 90 days in jail
a minimum $1,000 fine
480 hours community service
risk reduction school aka DUI school
a drug and alcohol abuse evaluation and any recommended treatment
a published notice of conviction

Time Limitations

The penalties described above refer to the number of DUI convictions you have attained in the past 10 years, with the dates of arrest being the relevant dates for calculation purposes. Thus, if you have a DUI conviction 20 years ago and are facing a second lifetime DUI, you will be subject to the penalties of a first DUI conviction. Also, if the 10 year period commenced prior to July 1, 2008, a fourth conviction is not punishable as a felony.

The time limitations are a little different when considering the implications to your driver's license that a DUI conviction will have. A first, second or third conviction will be examined in a five year window to determine how lengthy of a suspension you will face as well as when you can obtain a limited permit or apply for reinstatement. The penalties to your driver's license described above regarding a second or third conviction refer to a second or third conviction within a five year period.