DUI consequences are very serious. Punishment can range from hefty fines, loss of driving privileges, and jail time. Here are some likely punishments without any type of car accident, or injury involved.

GEORGIA DUI First Offense PENALTIES

Fine

$300.00 -$1000.00 plus any statutory surcharges (typically 15-25%).

Jail

10 days to 12 months, all except for 24 hours may be suspended, stayed or probated. If you are convicted of a DUI, you must be placed on twelve months probation less any jail time served.

Community Service

Georgia law requires a minimum of 40 hours of community service unless you are under 21 years of age in which case you must do a minimum of 20 hours. This is interesting since if you are under 21 you not only broke the law of driving under the influence, legally you were not allowed to drink to begin with, so if you are under 21, you SHOULD get more community service than if you are over 21, in our opinion. 

License Suspension

If you're over 21, your Georgia driver's license gets suspended for one year. You MAY be able to get your license back at the end of 120 days if you have completed an alcohol/drug risk reduction course (DUI school) and paid the appropriate fines/ fees. During those 120 days, you MAY be able to get a limited driving permit. If you are convicted of a DUI charge involving drugs, your Georgia driver's license or privilege to drive in Georgia will be suspended for one year, and you will not be able to get it reinstated for six months. No limited driving permit is allowed.

If you're under 21, your license will be revoked for either 6 months (under 0.08 blood alcohol level) or 12 months (0.08 or higher) and no limited permit is allowed. Again, it seems we are sending the wrong message to under age offenders, since they should not be drinking to begin with, let alone driving while drinking.

 

Second Offense Within a Five Year Period

Fine

$600-$1000 plus any statutory surcharges.

Jail

90 days and up to 12 months, all except three days of which may be suspended, stayed, or probated. As with a first DUI, you must do twelve months probation less any jail time.

Community Service

The minimum community service is thirty days. 

License Suspension

The driver's license of anyone convicted of a second DUI within a five year period will be suspended for three years. You won't be able to have your driver's license reinstated for a period of 18 months. The first twelve months is a mandatory suspension with no limited priviledges. After that, an ignition interlock limited permit is required for 6 months. An ignition interlock device must be installed on all vehicles registered to the offender.

Photo Published

Your photograph, name and address, and arrest details will be published in the local newspaper.

 

THIRD Offense Within a Five Year Period

Fine

$1000-$5000 plus statutory surcharges.

Jail

120 days to 12 months, all but 15 days of which may be suspended, stayed or probated. You must also do twelve months probation less any jail time served. 

Community Service

You must do 30 days of community service.

License Revocation

If you are 21 or over, you hare now considered a Habitual Offender and your license is revoked for FIVE years. In order to get a probationary license after two years, you will have to complete DUI school, assessment and counseling, and have the ignition interlock device installed in all vehicles that you own. 

Alcohol Assessment and Treatment

You must be evaluated and complete all treatment recommendations before you can get your ignition interlock permit.

Photo Published

Your photograph, name and address, and arrest details will be published in the local newspaper. As if this is going to deter you after you already have two prior DUI's right?