Atlanta DUI Penalties and Punishments (678) 325-1587
Being charged with a DUI is bad enough, but when you are actually convicted of DUI you’re suddenly branded a criminal. With no representation or even an inadequate defense attorney, you can face severe penalties and punishments for a DUI conviction in the state of Georgia. Depending on your record and any prior convictions, you can face an array of consequences.
For a first-time DUI conviction, the judge can sentence you to 12 months in jail with a minimum sentence of 24 hours. Fines can vary from $300 all the way to $1000 and you’ll face 40 hours of community service. If you take the Risk Reduction Course, you can receive your license back after 120 days instead of having to wait a full year. You may be issued a limited permit during the 120 day period, unless you were found with drugs in which case your license will be suspended for at least six months. It is also likely that the judge will order a clinical evaluation for alcohol and drug dependency.
If this is your second DUI conviction within a five-year period of your last DUI conviction, you can be sentenced to 12 months in jail and you must serve the minimum of 72 hours. The fines will increase from the range of $600 to $1000 and you’ll receive 240 hours of community service. This time, you can lose your license for 18 months and no limited permit is available. However, if you have the ignition interlock device installed in your car, you can receive your license back in 12 months. You will also be required to take the Risk Reduction Course again and have a clinical evaluation for any alcohol or drug dependency. The judge will also order you to surrender all license plates to the vehicles you own and your picture will be published in your local newspaper.
Known as “repeat offenders”, anyone with a third DUI conviction within a five-year period can be ordered to spend up to 12 months in jail. All but 15 days can be probated by the judge. You can also face a whopping fine of between $1000 and $5000. This time, your license will be revoked for five years, but you may obtain a probationary license after two years. An ignition interlock will be installed in your vehicle at your expense and you’ll face 240 hours of community service. Again, you must take the Risk Reduction Course and surrender all license plates to your vehicles. Last, but not least your picture will be published in your local newspaper.
As you can see, it is imperative that you hire an experienced attorney who specializes in DUI!
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