Georgia DUI Penalties

Fighting DUI Charges in Savannah

Over the past few years, DUI penalties in the state of Georgia have increased in severity. Drivers who are facing multiple DUI charges or who have caused an accident resulting in serious injury or death can expect to be sentenced to fines, jail time, and – depending on the circumstances – felony DUI charges.

What are the Penalties for a DUI in Georgia?

A first DUI conviction is classified as a misdemeanor and includes a $300-$1,000 fine, jail time of 10 days to 12 months (with no less than 24 hours in jail), 40 hours of community service, completion of the Risk Reduction Program, probation for up to 12 months, and a 1-year license suspension.

Fight your charges with The Schneider Law Firm on your side. Call us at (912) 385-0854 to schedule an initial consultation.

What are the Penalties for a Second DUI in Georgia?

A second DUI conviction within 5 years of the first conviction is considered a misdemeanor and includes a $600-$1,000 fine, between 90 days and 12 months in jail, a minimum of 30 days community service, completion of the Risk Reduction Program, a clinical evaluation to determine if an alcohol or drug treatment program is needed, 12 months' probation, and a 3-year license suspension.

What are the Penalties for a Third DUI in Georgia?

A third DUI conviction is also a misdemeanor but carries more severe penalties including a $1,000-$5,000 fine, 4-12 months in jail, a minimum of 30 days community service, completion of the Risk Reduction Program, completion of an alcohol or drug treatment program, 12 months' probation, and a 5-year suspension of your driver's license.

What are the Penalties for a Fourth DUI in Georgia?

A fourth DUI conviction within 10 years is an automatic felony offense as per Georgia House Bill 336. Penalties for a felony DUI include a $1,000-$5,000 fine, 12 months to 5 years in jail, a minimum of 60 days community service, and completion of an alcohol or drug treatment program.

When is a DUI a Felony in GA?

Generally, a DUI is considered a misdemeanor offense in Georgia. However, it can be elevated to a felony under certain circumstances.

Here are the situations in which a DUI can be classified as a felony in Georgia:

• Fourth DUI Conviction: As mentioned above, if an individual has been convicted of 3 prior DUI offenses within the past ten years, a fourth DUI will be charged as a felony. The previous DUI convictions can be from any state, not just limited to Georgia.

• DUI with Serious Injury or Death: If a person causes serious bodily injury or death to another individual while driving under the influence, they can be charged with felony DUI. A conviction for DUI with serious injury can result in a prison sentence between 1 and 15 years, while getting convicted of DUI vehicular manslaughter is punishable by imprisonment for up to 20 years.

• Habitual Violator: A person who has been designated as a habitual violator due to multiple traffic-related convictions, including DUIs, may face felony charges if caught driving under the influence again. Habitual violator status in Georgia usually results from accumulating 3 or more major traffic offense convictions within a 5-year period. A DUI conviction for a habitual violator can lead to imprisonment for up to 5 years, fines not exceeding $5,000, and/or license suspension for up to 10 years.

Start Your Defense Today

If you or a loved one has been arrested for or charged with a DUI, you need to contact a Savannah DUI attorney at our firm right away. Our attorneys understand the situation you are in and they know how much a DUI arrest can impact your life and livelihood. That is why we take the time to thoroughly evaluate and analyze your situation and work diligently to prepare your defense. Whether that includes presenting additional evidence, challenging sobriety and breathalyzer test results, suppressing key evidence, or challenging any other part of the DUI process, we are aggressive in pursuing all legal options to provide you with high-quality representation.

To learn more about DUI penalties in Georgia, call The Schneider Law Firm at (912) 385-0854.