Marietta DUI Attorney

What are the Penalties for DUI in Georgia?

The penalties for a first time DUI offense may include any of the following:

• Up to 10 days in jail.
• Up to $1000 in fines.
• 12 months of probation.
• 40 hours of community service
• Suspended driver’s license
• DUI Risk Reduction School

The penalties for a second DUI offense may include any of the following:

• Up to 15 days in jail and up to 12 months of probation
• Up to $1000 in fines.
• 30 days of community service
• DUI Risk Reduction School
• Going to a MADD Victim Impact Panel
• Suspended driver’s license up to 18 months

The penalties for a third DUI offense may include any of the following:

• Up to 12 months in jail
• Up to $5000 in fines
• 30 days of community service
• DUI Risk Reduction School
• Minimum 2 year suspended driver’s license

Field Sobriety Tests

If you are pulled over in Marietta for a suspected DUI, the officer is likely going to perform a field sobriety see if you are under the influence. The Standardized Field Sobriety Test (SFST) is made of up 3 individual tests:

• Horizontal Gaze Nystagmus (HGN) test - In this test the officer will observe the eyes of the person in question as they slowly move a pen or small object back and forth to look for indicators in each eye that the person is impaired.
• Walk-and-turn test - In this test, the officer instructs the person to take nine steps, touching heel-to-toe in a straight line and the return back. The officer is looking to see if the person is unable to keep their balance, starting before the instructions are finished or not following the instructions properly.
• One-leg stand test - In this test, the officer instructs the person to stand with one foot off the ground and hold it for about 30 seconds or until told to put it down. The officer looks for signs such as swaying, hoping or using their arms to balance.

Defenses Against DUI

If you are arrested for DUI, law enforcement and prosecutors will try to paint you as an irresponsible driver whose license must be revoked. I can help you tell your side of the story. As a former state prosecutor, I know the strategies used by your accusers, and how to respond.

Every case is different, and there are many ways to defend against a charge of DUI. We may be able to show that:

• Your traffic stop was unlawful
• Field sobriety testing was improper
• You were not a “less safe” driver when you were stopped

Fighting Every Step of the Way

Without an experienced criminal defense lawyer on your side, you will be left to fight the charges on your own. Your future is too important to gamble with, so make sure you have an aggressive representative on your side who can help you prepare for the challenges ahead. During our free consultation, I will go over the charges against you to help you better understand what to expect during your case. By knowing how to prepare, you can feel more confident and hopeful about your situation.

Contact us online or call (770) 954-8433 now to get started working with a Marietta DUI attorney.