Macon DUI Lawyer

Fighting for Your License & Your Future in Georgia

Georgia aggressively pursues those found to be operating a vehicle while impaired from alcohol and/or drugs. In fact, our state has some of the toughest laws in the books when it comes to DUI-related offenses. Not only will you face criminal penalties, you also face the possibility of license suspension; probation; substance abuse education, evaluation, or treatment; and a permanent criminal record which can disqualify you for future opportunities in employment, housing, educational aid, and professional licensing.

In the face of this, and because DUI arrests are complex cases involving legal, technical, and scientific issues, you need a qualified Macon DUI attorney who understands how to investigate, prepare, and ultimately defend you in court. At Deadwyler-Heuman Law Firm, LLC, our Macon DUI lawyer has the experience, knowledge, and resources needed to help you during this legal crisis.

Why Choose Our Macon DUI Lawyers

We fight hard for the people we represent and take the trust you have placed in our firm seriously. We provide competent and responsible advocacy. If you have been pulled over and arrested for any kind of DUI in or around Macon, we urge you to take advantage of our dedicated service.

Facing DUI charges? Reach out to us for a free initial consultation with a Macon DUI lawyer at (478) 205-6623 or through our online request form today.

DUI Laws in Georgia

Georgia is one of the states where you can find yourself under arrest not only for driving while under the influence but for “operating” a vehicle, which generally means being in physical control of the car, truck, or other motorized vehicle. Physical control can extend to being behind the wheel with the keys in the ignition but without driving or sleeping behind the wheel in a drunken state. Such a law is designed to prevent driving while under the influence and, in such a situation, the court will look at how close you were to actually driving your vehicle while in such an impaired state. To learn more about Georgia DUI laws, reach out to one of our Macon lawyers.

Blood Alcohol Content Levels

Under Georgia law, you can be arrested for DUI under the following circumstances:

• Your blood alcohol concentration (BAC) as an adult measured .08 percent or higher
• Your BAC as a driver under the age of 21 measured .02 percent or higher
• Your BAC as a commercial license holder driving a commercial vehicle measured .04 percent or higher
• You were deemed impaired by drugs or alcohol by law enforcement even if your BAC did not measure at the legal limit
• You had any quantity of illegal drugs in your body at the time of your arrest

Georgia DUI Penalties

How you are penalized for a conviction under Georgia law will depend on whether you have prior convictions within the last 10 years and your BAC at the time of the arrest. For instance, if your BAC measured .15 or higher, you will face increased penalties.

First Offense DUI Penalties

In a first-offense DUI, the penalties include 10 days to up to a year in jail, fines of $300 up to a $1,000, 20 to 40 hours of community service, a license suspension for a year for adults and 6 months for those under 21, and DUI school. You may be awarded a year of probation in lieu of jail time. However, Georgia mandates a minimum amount of time in jail which is 24 hours for a first offense, 72 hours for a second offense, and 15 days in a third offense. Anyone convicted for a DUI in Georgia will also be required to undergo an alcohol or drug evaluation and any substance abuse treatment program ordered by the court. Navigating a first time DUI in Georgia can get complicated, reach out to an attorney ASAP to learn about your options.

Second DUI Penalties

A second DUI within five years will lead to losing your license plates while a 3rd DUI in GA within five years will result in forfeiting your vehicle. Second and third DUI convictions will lead to increased penalties including longer license suspension periods.

Is a DUI in Georgia a Felony?

In Georgia, DUI convictions can be misdemeanors or felonies depending on the number of prior convictions that you have had in the previous ten years. A 3rd DUI in GA in the last ten years will result in a felony charge.

Third offense felony DUI is punishable by:

• A $1,000 to $5,000 fine
• 120 days to 12 months in jail
• 30 days minimum community service

How Does a DUI Affect Your Future?

If you are ever convicted of driving under the influence of alcohol, that conviction can seriously affect your plans for the future. Understanding the consequences of a DUI conviction is essential for protecting your rights, achieving the best outcome possible for your case, and minimizing the damage to your future. A Macon DUI lawyer at our Georgia law firm can help you protect your future.

DUIs and Education

If you are about to fill out applications for the colleges you are interested in attending, keep in mind that a DUI conviction on your record may make admission difficult. Furthermore, if you are considering a career as a teacher, lawyer, nurse or commercial driver you may face disappointment. Professions such as these and many others require certification or state licensing, and a DUI conviction may disqualify you as an applicant.

Background Checks for DUIs

No matter what kind of job you want, remember that many recruiters or human resources professionals perform routine background checks on candidates. You may have everything a company is looking for in their next employee, but when a hiring manager discovers a DUI on your record, he or she may pass you over in favor of a candidate who has no such conviction and comes across as more trustworthy.

DUIs and Car Insurance

The other kind of issue you will face with a DUI on your record is the matter of auto insurance. If you have a driver’s license suspension, you will have to show proof of insurance before you can have it reinstated. Because of the DUI conviction, your current insurance company may not renew your policy. If they do keep you on, they will likely raise your rates significantly.

Our DUI Attorneys in Macon, GA Are Ready to Help

While an arrest is scary, it does not automatically mean you will be convicted. Any criminal offense is defensible and at Deadwyler-Heuman Law Firm, LLC, we will thoroughly review and analyze every aspect of your case in search of legal and technical errors, flaws, and inconsistencies.

Anything found in your favor can be beneficial to your case. However, you will need a determined and savvy Macon DUI attorney who is willing to go the extra mile. At our Georgia DUI law firm, you can depend on our willingness to do everything ethically possible to eliminate or reduce the consequences of a DUI arrest.

Arrested for your 1st, 2nd or 3rd DUI in GA? Talk to our Macon DUI lawyer at (478) 205-6623 today. Hablamos español.