Georgia DUI Penalties


WARNING
The State of Georgia will seek to suspend your driver's license following an arrest for a DUI in Georgia.

For immediate help, contact a Georgia DUI Lawyer.

Arrested for DWI

The severity and duration of the penalties for driving under the influence in Georgia increase with each consecutive DUI conviction within a 10 year period. For a free review of your specific case and clarification of potential penalties for GA DUI, contact Athens-Clarke County DUI Lawyer Richard Lawson by calling 770-641-0100.

The following outlines penalties for DUI for adults with a general driver's license. Drivers under the age of 21 face the risk of enhanced penalties, as do holders of commercial driver's licenses.

First Offense – no prior convictions

  • Driver's license suspended for 1 year. Limited permit may be available.
  • Fines – $300-1,000
  • Mandatory Minimum Jail Sentence – 24 hours to 10 days
  • Maximum Jail Time – 1 year
  • Minimum Community Service – 40 hours
  • Mandatory attendance in DUI school
  • Alcohol & Drug Evaluation & Treatment – A likely part of the sentence

Second Offense – within 10 years

  • Driver's license suspended for 3 years. Reinstatement possible after 12 months with installation of ignition interlock device.
  • Fines – $600-1,000
  • Mandatory Minimum Jail Sentence – 72 hours to 90 days
  • Maximum Jail Time – 1 year
  • Minimum Community Service – 30 days
  • Mandatory attendance in DUI school
  • Mandatory Alcohol & Drug Evaluation & Treatment
  • Photo published in local paper
  • Seizure of license plate and auto tag

Third Offense – within 10 years

  • Assigned Habitual Violator Status
  • Driver's license revoked for 10 years. Issuance of a probationary license possible after 24 months, with installation of ignition interlock device.
  • Fines – $1,000 – 5,000
  • Mandatory Minimum Jail Sentence – 15 days to 120 days
  • Maximum Jail Time – 1 year
  • Minimum Community Service – 30 days
  • Mandatory attendance in DUI school
  • Mandatory Alcohol & Drug Evaluation & Treatment
  • Photo published in local paper
  • Seizure of license plate and auto tag

Four or More Offenses – within 10 years

  • Felony charges filed
  • Assigned Habitual Violator Status
  • Driver's license revoked for 10 years. Issuance of a probationary license possible after 24 months, with installation of ignition interlock device.
  • Fines – $1,000 – 5,000
  • Mandatory Minimum Jail Sentence – 90 days to 1 year
  • Maximum Jail Time – 5 years
  • Minimum Community Service – 60 days, unless serving 3 year prison sentence
  • Mandatory attendance in DUI school
  • Mandatory Alcohol & Drug Evaluation & Treatment
  • Photo published in local paper
  • Seizure of license plate and auto tag

Click here for main page on drunk driving in Athens-Clarke County, GA. For information on defending against a charge of DUI in Georgia, contact Criminal Defense Lawyer Richard Lawson.

Law Office of Richard S. Lawson
261 W. Crogan St.
Lawrenceville, GA 30045

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