A driving under the influence charge can ruin your life. Police, the courts and the State of Georgia may come after you. The penalties are severe: fines, loss of license, jail time, community service and higher insurance costs.
Getting into trouble
You may receive a driving under the influence if the police find your blood alcohol exceeds the legal limit of .08.
Did you know you can also receive a conviction if you register under the legal limit? Or without a breath test? Police may charge you on the basis of a field sobriety test. The state comes after you on two fronts. The Georgia Department of Driver Services and the courts will oversee your case.
DSS may suspend or revoke your license. The courts may impose fines, jail time and community service.
Getting out of trouble
You have two main routes to proving your innocence. One is challenging the actions of the police. The other is challenging the results of a breath test.
You can argue that police:
- Had no reason to stop your vehicle
- Made mistakes administering the field sobriety test
- Mishandled the breathalyzer test
- Tampered with the results of the test
You may cast doubt on the accuracy of the breath test. The machines are not infallible. Not all police agencies provide the machines with proper maintenance and calibration. Everything from the presence of toothpaste in your mouth to a burp may impact the test results.
Getting help
The DUI laws in Georgia are complex, and even with a thorough understanding of them, you may make mistakes that lead to harsh penalties and affect the rest of your life.
The police, the courts and DSS have experience on their side. You should consider every alternative when it comes to protecting your rights.
