If you live in Georgia, driving under the influence is not worth the harsh penalties you will have to face. In Georgia, individuals who are found to be driving while intoxicated (due to drugs or alcohol) can be charged as:
Under the influence – In this case, the district attorney will have to prove you were driving while drunk or under the influence of drugs or a combination of the two. You can also be found guilty if your blood alcohol content is greater than 0.08, which will be determined by a sobriety test.
DUI ‘Per Se’ – If your blood alcohol level is 0.08 or more, your case will be a rebuttal presumption. However, no matter how low your blood alcohol content is, the officer who stopped you may charge you anyway if the officer believes your senses are impaired to the point you are an unsafe driver.
Irrespective of the DUI you are charged with, you will be charged as a criminal by the court and your driver’s license will also be suspended by the Georgia Department of Driver Services. In other words, what happens in court will have no bearing on your driver’s license and vice versa.
You may also have to pay a hefty fine and serve jail time – depending on the severity of your case or if someone got hurt because of negligence. In some cases, permanent revocation of the driver’s license is also possible.
The bottom line is: If you want to see your driver’s license again and avoid paying large fines, you should avoid a DUI in Georgia. But if you have been ticketed, reach out to an qualified Georgia attorney to discuss your case.
If you are the victim of a distracted or drunk driver or were wrongfully accused of being the latter, contact Georgia personal injury attorney Shani O. Brooks. Whether you are charged with a DUI ‘per se’ or ‘under the influence,’ we can ensure your voice is heard and your case is settled amicably. Get in touch with us today for a free consultation and an analysis of your case.