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 White County, GA. For information on defending against a charge of DUI in Georgia, contact Criminal Defense Lawyer Richard Lawson.
