Atlanta DUI laws are very specific and have a few stipulations that you must abide by if you’re arrested for a DUI. The penalties for a DUI depend on the amount of alcohol and illegal drugs in your system, the time since your last arrest, and if you have had any previous convictions. Fortunately, there are ways to avoid getting caught driving under the influence.
Ignition Interlock Device
Ignition interlock devices can help you avoid the suspension of your license after a DUI. Depending on the circumstances of the incident, an Atlanta DUI officer may require you to install an ignition interlock device on your car in order to regain your driving privileges. First-time offenders may be able to apply for a limited driving permit, often called a work permit, after 30 days. Second-time offenders must install an ignition interlock device in their car for a full year before they are allowed to get their license back.
Ignition interlock devices are approved in every state and can be installed in a car. Georgia drivers who are arrested for DUI must have the device installed on their vehicle for 12 months. Installing the device requires a $100-$200 initial payment and a monthly rental fee of $70-$100. The device may also need calibration and maintenance.
Refusal Hearings
Refusing to submit to a breath or blood test after being arrested for DUI in Atlanta is against the law. If you are caught, you must undergo an administrative hearing to fight the suspension of your license. In Georgia, these hearings are handled by the Department of Driver Services. You can request for a hearing within 30 days of your arrest. During this hearing, your case will be handled similarly to a court trial, but without a jury.
During an administrative hearing, the court will hear evidence and testimony from the law enforcement official and the witness. If you are convicted of DUI, an Atlanta DUI attorney can help you fight the charge in court. He or she will represent you and build a strong defense against the charges.
Felony Duis
When you are accused of a DUI, you may face several difficult options. First, you may be given the option of a plea bargain. This allows you to admit guilt in exchange for a lesser charge and sentence. This is often the most beneficial option for people who are guilty. However, you cannot do this on your own, and it will require the contact a DUI Lawyer in Atlanta..
DUI is generally considered a misdemeanor, but in some cases, it can be upgraded to a felony. A felony charge is a crime punishable by more than a year in jail. Usually, a DUI charge becomes a felony if it is your fourth in ten years.
Refusal To Submit To A Urine Test
In Georgia, police officers are required to conduct a breath, blood, or urine test if they suspect you’ve been drinking. However, you have the right to refuse. Failure to submit can result in the test results being inadmissible in court.
Under Georgia DUI law, you may face a refusal charge if you refuse a state-administered test. The test must be administered in order to make sure that you are sober and not driving under the influence of alcohol. Georgia’s Implied Consent Notice is incredibly convoluted, so most people don’t know their rights.
Requirements For A Limited-Use Permit
In order to qualify for a limited-use permit under Georgia DUI laws, you must first have a first DUI conviction or plea. A first conviction affidavit is a required part of the process. This is a legal document that states you have been convicted of DUI within the last five years. It is important to note that an affidavit will not be accepted if you have multiple convictions.
If you have been arrested for a DUI, you may be concerned about how you’ll get to work and school. Fortunately, most first-time DUI offenders are eligible to apply for a limited-use permit that allows them to drive to work, school, or counseling. The process is easier if you apply within 10 days of the arrest.