First Offense DUI Penalties in Georgia : 3 Atlanta DUI Lawyers

By: Cory Yager, DUI Lawyer Atlanta, GA, and Former DUI Task Force Police Officer in Top Law Firm With Three Atlanta DUI Attorneys

Following their DUI arrest, and being placed in handcuffs, concerned citizens facing their 1st offense DUI in GA often begin a Google search. Many want to learn more about field sobriety testing, or the DUI penalties in the State of Georgia. Some may know attorneys in Atlanta, but do not want to disclose their pending DUI charges, for fear that “word may spread” about their DUI in Atlanta.

The person often asks, “Is a DUI a criminal offense?” The answer should be obvious since handcuffs mean “criminal” charges. This question and about a dozen more are answered in this article about Georgia DUI laws and first offenders.

GA DUI laws contain this phrase: “a person shall not drive or be in actual physical control of any moving vehicle while under the influence of alcohol to the extent that it is less safe for the person to drive.” When you speak with our DUI attorneys, they will ask whether you blew into an alcohol breath testing device after arrest and blew “over the legal limit.”

Many trust their online search skills at narrowing down the top DUI lawyer GA, or the best-rated DUI attorney Atlanta, Georgia. Their big concern is having the driver’s license taken from them and seeing that they only have 30 days to act and protect their right to drive.

Georgia has strict laws regarding DUI offenses. If you are arrested for DUI in Georgia, you may be charged with a misdemeanor or a felony. It all depends on the circumstances. An experienced DUI lawyer can give you the best chance of beating your first offense DUI penalties in Georgia.

 

Some, in disbelief that they were jail, will research questions like “Is a DUI a felony in GA,” or “do you get arrested for DUI in Georgia,” since they are appalled at their handcuffing and jail time treatment. They want to know if all DUI arrests, to see if they were singled out, by their arrest.

The potential clients who call our nearby law offices are seeking information on what happens for your first DUI offense or asking about penalties for first DUI charges, such as “DUI jail time.” They see the criminal offense statute, “OCGA 40-6-391” on their traffic citation and look up information about a possible license suspension, and check to see if they must install an ignition interlock device.

Others (who declined a post-arrest Intoxilyzer 9000 breath alcohol test), ask “can you be convicted of DUI without a breathalyzer test?” Some arrestees are asked to agree to a blood extraction will search for answers to questions like, “Can police collect a DUI blood test after 2 hours?”

By using online searches such as, “what is the punishment for a DUI,” or “Georgia DUI penalty,” or for “criminal defense attorneys,” random snippets of information are gathered. Often, the Web visitor will find too much information on a first DUI in Georgia.

More Information About the Georgia DUI Statute and What DUI Laws in GA Cover?

This type of criminal law violation is chargeable regardless of whether a breath test or a blood sample is collected. Plus, this type of DUI test detects both blood alcohol and any drugs in your system. GA DUI attorney

Those in GA who are facing DUI charges first offense, must realize (however) that some Georgia courts are very hostile places to be defending a driving under the influence charge. For your first DUI conviction you will have to attend risk reduction school at a Georgia DUI school, plus hours of community service, and be on probation for at least a year, but ONLY if convicted. Penalties for your first DUI conviction include one more very harsh and lasting consequence: a lifetime criminal record for drunk driving that can never be expunged.

This page does not address felony DUI questions. To learn more about felony convictions on a 4th DUI within 10 years, go to our special page to learn about the state prison time that is possible. Plus, read about the draconian loss of driving privileges that follows a fourth offense DUI (or subsequent drunken driving conviction) within ten years.

 

For the First Conviction of DUI, What Is the Penalty for a DUI in Georgia?

Punishments for a DUI in Georgia first offense is a very common search. The dominant theme is DUI first offense jail time, to see how much more time the accused driver may have to spend behind bars. In the COVID era, who wants to risk being put into a crowded detention center for recent DUI arrests?

Jail time for a first offense DUI can vary greatly. Factors like whether a car accident occurred, and behavior toward police officers can make a difference. Plus, depending on the criminal court before which your charges are pending, extreme high-speed driving of 100+ MPH may cause a jail sentence, even if the DUI is reduced.

Start with the understanding that jail time occurs in most DUI first offense cases. The GA DUI statute mandates twenty-four hours in jail when a forensic blood alcohol or Intoxilyzer breath alcohol level reveals 0.08 grams % or more. Among the important legal services of a DUI lawyer is to not have to return to jail, beyond the hours you served after your arrest for DUI in GA.

First DUI Offense in Georgia

A first offense DUI conviction can result in a much more deleterious consequence: a lifetime DUI on your criminal history. This question is often followed by a related inquiry, such as “can a first offense DUI be dismissed?” That answer is yes, but our lawyers for DUI are more likely (in a first offense DUI plea bargain) to achieve a reduction of criminal charges on a first DUI in Georgia.

How much does a DUI cost over ten years? Others look for cost of a DUI or the name of the best DUI attorney nearby. Some with DUI arrests last night may have had a DUI over 10 years ago, and happily find that their new DUI less safe GA crime is again considered to be a DUI 1st offense.

Will it help me in court if I already obtained my certificate of completion for DUI classes? Not necessarily, but in most of our DUI cases, where a reduction of charges is negotiated, completing DUI school will be a condition of your Judge’s sentencing. To review a DUI penalties chart for DUI 1st offense and all other offenses, go to this GA DUI penalties chart.

What jobs can you get with a DUI conviction? No list exists, but (in general) the higher security jobs will be difficult (if not impossible) to secure. The military is not keen on enlisting someone with a DUI, but if all probation is over, this can occur. Rideshare services ban you from their list of eligible drivers for about 7 years, or more.

Which Legal Team in Metro Atlanta Knows How to Get Out of a DUI First Offense?

Can my arrest record be expunged if I am charged with DUI but not convicted? NO. A DUI conviction in Georgia stays on your record for life, in the Peach State. Therefore, the first offense DUI lawyer cost is secondary to winning, through getting charges reduced or by your attorneys for DUI obtaining a nolle prosequi (dismissal).

Partner and DUI attorney GA William C. Head literally The Georgia DUI Trial Practice Manual in 1995. He self-published the legal guide about GA DUI laws in the original edition. Less than 5 years later, he was approached by regional legal book published Harrison Company about buying the publication rights from him, and he negotiated a deal to do that.

Less than 5 years after the Harrison purchase of publication rights, the world’s largest law book published Thomson-West bought out Harrison’s entire southeastern USA collection of law books. Today, the original 950-page book that sold for $100 in 1995 now approaches $800 in price and is over 1500 pages in length.

In 2008, due to the demands for his time in court, Mr. Head added a co-author, Frank T. Gomez. A former public defender and later a DUI prosecutor in Cobb County, GA, Frank was known to be a dedicated follower of DUI laws in Georgia. Mr. Head hired him to join his law firm at that time, and Frank became the co-author of all the next editions, including the 2022 edition, which he edited in early December.

Unfortunately, Frank passed away in December of 2021, and Mr. Head then added his law partners, Cory Yager and Larry Kohn as co-authors for the 2023 edition. Both partners had already been tapped by a division of Thomson-Reuters (Aspatore Law Books) as co-authors on different national DUI practice articles, to help train young DUI attorneys.

To Find Your Lawyer for DUI in Georgia, Call Our Atlanta DUI Law Firm

When you take the time to compare DUI law firms in Georgia and search online for the credentials of each attorney for DUI defense, you can quickly see differences in qualifications and experience. Those facing DUI offenses should limit their search to criminal law attorneys who have achieved notoriety for successful DUI defense.

Compare DUI law firms and each online attorney for DUI. Limit your search to criminal defense attorneys who work in each law office. Our criminal attorney firm welcomes being compared to any other Georgia law group specializing in criminal justice, for their overall client reviews plus the peer-reviewed, reputable lawyer ratings.

Drunk driving defense attorneys Cory Yager (an ex-cop for nearly a decade), Bubba Head, and Larry Kohn respond 24-7, so call our Super Lawyers-rated law partners now. Our Atlanta attorneys will inform you what the DUI lawyer cost will be and will also tell you how we will approach your DUI Georgia case. Once we explain the DUI meaning as it relates to your long-term future, no one wants a conviction on his or her record.

Some people simply cannot afford to assert a full defense with the best DUI attorney, but we are willing to try to match you to the right DUI law firm, even if not with our criminal defense law firm. Our goal is to help you to avoid jail time, license suspensions, and other serious consequences of DUI charges.

Drunk driving defense attorneys Cory Yager (an ex-cop for nearly a decade), Bubba Head, and Larry Kohn respond 24-7, so call our Super Lawyers-rated law partners now. Our Atlanta attorneys will inform you what the DUI lawyer cost will be and will also tell you how we will approach your DUI Georgia case. Once we explain the DUI meaning as it relates to your long-term future, no one wants a conviction on his or her record.

If you have been arrested for your 1st offense DUI charge in Georgia, it is very important to have a lawyer that is experienced in handling the situation and knows how to get your license back quickly.

If your goal is to WIN and beat a DUI case (by whatever means necessary), our Atlanta criminal defense attorneys are ready to stand by your side and direct the trial effort. Our law office is confident in our ability to give you the best defense possible.

This maxim holds true even when your field sobriety testing, videotape evidence, and police testimony may seem insurmountable. Just like in the medical field, it costs more for surgery than to get a flu shot, so be ready to talk about how to beat a DUI in court, and not how to plead guilty.

Our criminal defense attorney law firm welcomes being compared to any other Georgia law group specializing in cases involving criminal justice. When an accused citizen who faces DUI prosecution, compares overall client reviews plus the peer-reviewed, reputable national, DUI lawyer ratings, our legal team will stand out.

Some people simply cannot afford to assert a full defense with the best DUI attorney, but we are willing to try to match you to the right DUI law firm, even if not with our criminal defense law firm. Our goal is to help you to avoid jail time, license suspensions, and other serious consequences of DUI charges.

Partner Larry Kohn has more than 530 5-star client attorney ratings with AVVO, not to mention many more Google lawyer ratings. All three are experienced at jury trial, although over 90% of their DUI case successes are achieved without going to a jury trial.

Our three legal professionals are all Super Lawyers and provide a FREE consultation to review your pending charges. Our advice is to call immediately after arrest, since only 30 days after your arrest date are available to SAVE YOUR RIGHT TO DRIVE.

With a free lawyer consultation, what do you have to lose? Call today and get targeted advice from legal book authors who are also award-winning DUI attorneys with over 85 collective years of DUI defense, for nearly 10,000 clients. On top of all these credentials, William C. Head is Georgia’s only Board Certified DUI defense attorney who is also an NACDL Life Member and GACDL Life Member.

MAIN LAW OFFICE IN SANDY

SPRINGS, GEORGIA:

5600 Roswell Rd

Building H, #210

Sandy Springs, GA 30352

(404) 567-5515

DOWNTOWN ATLANTA GA

LOCATION:

235 Peachtree Street NE

Suite 400

Atlanta, GA 30303

(404) 567-5515

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in Cobb County, GA:

109 Anderson Street

Suite 103

Marietta, GA 30060

(888) 274-6288

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in North Fulton County, GA:

33 S Main St

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Alpharetta, GA 30009

(844) 867-2889