Georgia Driver Makes Headlines After Florida Arrest

A report out of Florida has made headlines. According to authorities, a local Georgia woman has been arrested on charges of vehicular homicide as well as three other serious felonies.

Although she is facing these charges in Florida - there are Georgia equivalents of the same offenses. She is also facing charges of driving while being declared a habitual violator and fleeing or attempting to elude police.

As a Georgia DUI Lawyer, I will be outlining what constitutes being a habitual violator in Georgia as well as what it means to drive while having that status.

Habitual Violator in Georgia

Habitual violator is a status that a driver gains if he or she has committed three major offenses within a 5 year period of time. As a result of a habitual violator status, the driver's license will be suspended for five years.

There are certain offenses that are considered as “major offenses,” and if committed three times within a five year period of time, the result will be a habitual violator status.

The offenses that lead to a HV (Habitual Violator) Status in Georgia are as follows:

• Vehicular Homicide in Georgia
• Any Felony using a Motor Vehicle in Georgia
• Hit and Run in Georgia
• Racing in Georgia
• Fleeing or Attempting to Elude an Officer in Georgia
• Unlawful or Fraudulent Use of or Application for a License or ID Card in Georgia
• Operating a Motor Vehicle with a Revoked, Canceled, or Suspended Registration in Georgia
• Any Felony Forgery Conviction relating to an ID Document in Georgia
• DUI in Georgia
• DUI Child Endangerment in Georgia
• Feticide by Vehicle in the First Degree in Georgia
• Serious Injury by Vehicle in Georgia

Three convictions for any of theses offenses within a five-year period (measured from date of arrest to date of arrest) will result in notice to the violator of his or her habitual violator status and the suspension of his or her driver's license. 

The most important takeaway from this post is that driving at all while being declared a habitual violator is classified as a felony. This has nothing to do with being caught DUI or breaking the law in any way - simply driving while being a habitual violator is a felony. 

Practice Note

There are further offenses that can lead to more serious consequences while declared a habitual violator in the state of Georgia. If you or a loved one has been arrested, contact a Georgia DUI Attorney today.