Drinking and driving is a danger to everyone on the road. States have strict laws governing DUI to limit this risky behavior. Here’s what you should know about Georgia’s penalties and why you should hire a DUI attorney when facing charges.

Community Service

Under Georgia law, you can be charged with a DUI if you are in physical control of a vehicle and have a blood alcohol content (BAC) of .08% or more. If you're under 21, that number drops to .02%. The amount of community service you get will depend in part on your BAC.

For a first offense, you can expect to be assigned at least 20 hours of community service. If your BAC was .08% or more, expect 40 hours. For a second or third DUI, you’ll get at least 30 days of community service.

Fines

In addition to community service, you’ll have to pay a fine for a DUI. This is on top of administrative and legal fees, such as the cost to reinstate your driver’s license if it’s suspended.

For a first time DUI, the fine will range from $300 o $1,000. You can expect to pay $600 to $1,000 for the second charge. The fine ranges from $1,000 to $5,000 for the third violation.

Jail Time

Georgia has very strict DUI laws. Even for a first offense, you can expect to spend 10 days to 12 months in jail. For a second DUI, you’ll have to spend between 90 days and 12 months in jail. Georgia courts will sentence you to at least 120 days for the third offense, but you could end up spending as long as 12 months in jail.

If you’ve been charged with a DUI, let the Law Office of Daniel P. Hoffey of Atlanta, GA, help. As an experienced DUI attorney, Mr. Hoffey will represent you and fight to achieve the best legal outcome possible for your situation. Call (770) 438-2111 or complete the online form for a free consultation with the DUI attorney.