Vidalia DUI Defense Lawyer

Felony DUI Charges In Georgia

DUIs in the state of Georgia are often categorized as felony-level offenses. If you have been previously convicted for DUI, or if your actions led to grievous physical injuries and/or death – also known as Vehicular Homicide – or caused extensive property damage, chances are that you will be charged with a Felony DUI. The repercussions attached to this charge could be hefty and far-reaching; some potential consequences include:

• Mandatory 90 days in prison
• A one-to-five-year prison sentence
• Fines up to $5,000
• Completion of an alcohol or drug education program
• Clinical evaluation
• 60 days of community service
• Up to five years of probation

Even after having served your sentence and paid all applicable fines, a DUI conviction with felony charges will remain on your record for many years to come. You may find it difficult to secure employment or housing as an ex-felon, in addition to being denied the right of voting or own firearms. Furthermore, students may face disciplinary action from their college campus while military personnel could be hindered by their lack of security clearances.

It goes without saying that DUI penalties are serious matters. In Georgia, you may have a brief opportunity to avoid your driver’s license suspension; however, the chances of success are slim as the Department of Driver Services (DDS) usually initiates this process immediately following your DUI arrest in Vidalia, GA.

Sobriety Checkpoints In Georgia

As determined by both state and federal regulations, Georgia is among the 38 states in America where sobriety checkpoints are lawful (see 318 S.E.2d 693 (Ga. App. Ct. 1984)). Sobriety checkpoint locations are transient; however, there exist sites that trace their whereabouts over time – past and future ones alike! Even though many have asserted that a traffic stop demands probable cause under the Fourth Amendment, sobriety checkpoints serve as an exception to this ruling since the Supreme Court proclaimed in 1990 that drunk driving hazards outweigh any hindrance caused due to these check stops.

Nevertheless, any questionable activity, harm to the vehicle, or traffic law infractions could draw even more attention toward you. If you are detained after being stopped at a sobriety checkpoint, request an opportunity to speak with a Vidalia DUI defense lawyer and find out how they can assist in remedying your predicament.

Frequently Asked Questions

Will I Go To Jail For A DUI In Georgia?

When you’re detained for a DUI in Georgia, it’s likely that you’ll be kept overnight in county jail. You might then be liberated either through the “on your own recognizance” approach – where you agree to appear at all court appearances; or by paying bail, thereby assuring attendance at any and all proceedings stated on the court schedule. As the court weighs your criminal background and the alleged offense, it will decide whether to release you on “own recognizance”. However, should you fail to show up in court after being released under this arrangement, a warrant for your arrest would be issued.

If you are convicted of any DUI, from the first offense to the third and beyond, a mandatory jail sentence will be issued. Your attorney should fight for this punishment to be reduced or for an even lighter charge that does not involve incarceration at all. Generally, these sentences are served in county jails – however if there was severe injury or death caused by your DUI; if it is your fourth DUI offense onwards; or if police charged you with fleeing an officer – then a state prison can issue a sentence lasting more than one year instead.

What Are The Defenses To DUI Charges In Georgia?

To prepare for trial, we believe in working diligently from the start and never compromising our bargaining position during plea negotiations. Our Vidalia DUI lawyer is prepared to go above and beyond to find ways to suppress evidence when applicable. No matter your individual case, we are here to advocate on your behalf with creative legal strategies surrounding:

• Basic DUI defense for people without prior convictions
• Using weaknesses in blood and Breathalyzer test procedures and in the administration of field sobriety tests to beat DUI charges
• Refusal cases
• Felony DUI defense, especially in cases involving serious collisions or fatal accidents that are charged as vehicular homicide
• Repeat DUI cases, including those based on out-of-state DWI convictions
• Underage DUI cases for minors, including high school students and in- or out-of-state college students
• Driver’s license suspension hearings before the Georgia Department of Driver Services (DDS)
• Probation and DUI Drug Court violations that include failing to complete required community service, attend AA sessions, report to a probation officer, and other violations

Don’t take chances with your future by working with an attorney who is unfamiliar with defending DUI charges. A drunk driving conviction can significantly raise your insurance rates and put you at risk of losing your driving privileges for years to come. With our comprehensive legal expertise and trial experience, we are here to help you fight these serious offenses.

Will I Lose My Driver’s License For A DUI Conviction?

In the state of Georgia, a DUI conviction can lead to serious consequences—even on your first offense. A single charge could mean up to 12 months without driving privileges and repeat offenders face even greater suspensions with three years for a second offense and five years for a third DUI offense. This loss means no access to getting to work, running errands, or transporting children safely if you are unable to drive your vehicle yourself! If ever in this situation it is paramount that all legal resources be enacted quickly so as not to risk losing these important freedoms.

Contact Our Vidalia DUI Lawyer Today

If you’ve been arrested for driving under the influence in Vidalia, GA, don’t hesitate to contact our Vidalia DUI attorney. A DUI conviction can not only affect your driving privileges but also leave a lasting mark on your criminal record. The possible consequences of such charges include jail time, hefty fines, and court-mandated community service. Fortunately, many lines of defense are at your disposal – so take action now and get back behind the wheel sooner than later,

At Downie Law, LLC, we are a firm that can challenge the facts brought against you in court, such as inaccurate blood alcohol readings, faulty breath tests, and illegal police stops, all with an impressive success rate to reduce or dismiss your charges altogether. We have extensive experience using these defense strategies to provide our clients with favorable outcomes. Contact our office today for a free consultation and to learn more about how we can help you fight DUI charges.