Vic Hawk Attorney at Law DUI Penalties in GA
Fine: $300-$1,000 (plus statutory surcharges, fees and assessments which can add 20% to 25% to the fine amount).
Jail: 10 days to 12 months (all jail time but 24 hours of the sentence may be suspended, stayed, or probated). The only persons who may avoid the 24 hour mandatory jail sentence are first offenders who had a chemical test (blood, breath, or urine) of less than 0.08 grams %. The new law will be applied by each judge, and therefore, a person who refused testing may be eligible for (but not necessarily ENTITLED to) a “no jail time” sentence. All others who are convicted must go to jail. Drivers under age 21 convicted of a first offense under subsection “k” may be allowed to serve their sentence on weekends or during their non-working hours and they must be segregated from the general jail population. This separation from other prisoners applies to the first offense only.
Community Service: A minimum of 40 Hours of Community Service is MANDATED, but persons under 21 with a first offense under subsection “k” of the DUI code and who have a BAC level of less than 0.08 grams % must perform not less than 20 hours. The exact number of hours is set by the sentencing judge. Some courts prefer that community service hours be completed before a plea is taken.
Probation: 12 months, less any days of actual incarceration, if the defendant is sentenced to less than 12 months imprisonment.
Risk Reduction Program (DUI Driving School): Mandatory participation in a 20-hour program approved by the Department of Human Resources at an approximate program fee of $175 plus an assessment fee of $75. (The minimum class enrollment hours changed to 20 hours for all cases arising May 1, 1999 and after.)
License Suspension: For those 21 and over when arrested, a one-year suspension, but a “work permit” is available to first offender adults if the driver has a Georgia license. After 120 days and completion of the DUI driving school course, application for reinstatement by drivers 21 and older is possible. Therefore, 120 days after conviction, adult first-offenders may apply to the Department of Public Safety for possible early reinstatement of his or her license by submitting proof of completion of the Risk Reduction Program and paying a reinstatement fee in the amount of $200 (mail-in) or $210 (walk-in).
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Augusta GA DUI Lawyer | Criminal Defense Attorney
The Augusta Legal Center of Hawk and Detchemendy – DUI and Criminal Defense Lawyers – (706) 722-3500 – www.augusta-ga-dui.com
Attorneys Vic Hawk, Melissa Detchemendy, and Reid Sanders defend drug charges, assault, homicide, murder, speeding, no insurance, battery, aggravated assault, child molestation, sex crimes, rape, premeditated murder, larceny theft, child porn, robbery, burglary, fraud, embezzlement, military offenses, and other Crimes across Georgia.
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