Are you worried about DUI Offenses In Georgia State? Being charged with “Driving Under The Influence” can be scary, especially when you have put other’s lives in danger. Not only is DUI an irresponsible act, but it is also dangerous enough to be considered a misdemeanour criminal offence.

Your poor decision to drive any auto vehicle after consuming alcohol could be detrimental to your life and the lives of others. Read on to better understand what DUI is and what are the charges and punishment associated with it. Contact a DUI attorney in Georgia State to learn more about DUI charges and punishment.

What Are DUI Offenses In Georgia State?

It is a crime in every state for drivers to operate automobiles under the effects of alcohol and drugs. Depending on the state in which the driver is caught driving the vehicle, this crime is known as DUI/DWI.

The charges filed against you depend on how severe your driving was and whether you have put many lives in danger. Fortunately, a DUI case is not a criminal offence. Hiring a lawyer at the beginning of the case might help you reduce your punishments.

Upon conviction, you will receive some punishment through community service, fines, and a jail sentence in the worst-case scenario. In addition to that, your driving license can also be revoked.

DUI Offenses: Charges

Here, we have prepared the types of charges you might experience depending on the DUI Offense.

First DUI Offense: The first DUI case comes with a relatively small punishment of 6 months and a $ 1,000 fine. Your driving license gets suspended for a short period.

Second DUI Offense: If you face your second DUI case within ten years of the first case, you are charged with the Second DUI charge. It comes with a maximum of 1 year of jail time and a $2000 fine. This time, the license is cancelled for a longer period of time.

Third DUI Offense: If you are caught for the third time in the first ten years, you are liable for two years of jail time, three years of revoked license, and a $3000 fine.

If you exceed the number of cases to four, it is considered a felony, and actions are taken accordingly. Most people who are charged with DUI hardly have any prior criminal history. Hence, they have no idea what a trial procedure would be. But no worries—we are here to take you through the step-by-step procedure.

Step 1: Arrangements

The first court appearance is all about arrangements. Here, state laws outline the time frame of the arraignment, which will depend on the severity of the case. These are the key points that are streamlined in this phase.

• Advisement of rights.
• Bail/release condition.
• Discovery.
• Entering a plea

Step 2: Plea Hearing

The plea hearing is the phase where the court makes the arrangements. This phase does not require the defendant’s appearance. Thus, the plea hearing has two phases.

• Plea bargaining.
• The plea.

Read more: How To Get A Job With A Criminal Record

Step 3: Preliminary Hearing

In some cases, the defendant is required to attend the court for the preliminary hearing. At the preliminary hearing, the court reviews all the evidence and determines whether it is enough to establish a strong suspicion of committing the crime.

This phase before the trial emphasizes finding the truth of the case rather than deciding whether the defendant is guilty or not. In addition, the purpose of the preliminary hearing is to dismiss the case due to the lack of evidence.

Step 4: Pre-Trial Hearing

In the case of the defendant’s plea of not guilty, a trial will be issued. However, before the original trial, there is a pre-trial. Although the pre-trial is only about proving the defendant’s evidence right, the court has the freedom to make a final decision in the pre-trial.

Step 5: Trial For DUI Offenses In Georgia State

Although most cases are solved during plea bargaining, some cases are more complex and severe, requiring trial.

DUI Offenses Georgia State: Punishment

DUI is considered a misdemeanour criminal offence like any other offence. Depending on the severity of the offence, the punishment can be as follows.

1. Jail Time

It is common for people charged with DUI to have been punished with some jail time. Usually, the tenure of jail time can range from one day to one year.

2. Probation

In many DUI cases, judges can offer a probation period to save you from jail time. The probation period can be from several months to a year. Within the probation period, the perpetrator is asked to live their life under the conditions put by the judges. If you fail to meet these obligations, the court can further your penalties.

3. Fine

Some people are also fined in addition to jail time. Fine amounts vary widely and are mostly calculated based on the severity of the case and the damage convicts have caused.

4. Licence Suspension

License suspension is yet another common punishment. The license suspension can last three months to a year depending on the circumstances and how severe the charges are. We have even seen the license revoked in some of the rarest cases.

Although the punishment might not be as severe as in criminal cases, with the Georgia State DUI Lawyer, you can reduce the severity of your punishment. Hence, it is crucial to consider what kind of lawyer you need and move forward accordingly.

Conclusion On DUI Offenses In Georgia State

Even though the DUI charges are daily common in the legal jurisdiction, some cases can be complicated. These types of cases involve evidence, witnesses, and legal precedent. In that case, having a lawyer by your side can certainly help you.

It would be best if you spoke with your DUI attorney right after you are charged with DUI. Any delay in hiring a lawyer can harm your case. If you need help with DUI Offenses in Georgia State, contact us.