Georgia DUI Conviction Consequences

DUI consequences in Georgia will have a massive impact on your life if you are not properly defended in court. The consequences can affect your job, school, future employment - the list goes on. The good news is that there are alternative punishments and defenses available to you if you have been charged with a DUI. These alternative punishments and defenses are only possibilities when a top-rated Georgia DUI Lawyer is defending your case. 

Let's break down the consequences into first, second, and third convictions.

First DUI Conviction in Georgia

There are minimum and maximum consequences with DUI convictions. The maximum consequences are a fine of $1,000 and up to 12 months of jail time. The minimum consequences can include a full 24-hour period in jail, a fine of $300, 40 hours of community service, completion of a DUI Alcohol or Drug Risk Reduction Course, or 12 months probation. Many Georgia courts will typically add more conditions to your sentence including Mothers Against Drunk Driving Victim Impact Panels or Alcoholics Anonymous meetings. 

Second DUI Conviction in Georgia 

Georgia law splits second DUI convictions into time frames - 5 years and 10 years. If you are convicted of your second DUI within 10 years, the maximum consequences are a fine of $1,000 and up to 12 months of jail time. The minimum consequences can include 72 hours in jail, a $600 fine, 240 hours of community service, completion of DUI School in Georgia, a substance abuse evaluation, recommended treatment, and 12 months of probation. If you are convicted of your second DUI within 5 years, you face all of the same minimum and maximum consequences, and you will be required to publish a notice of your conviction and your photograph in your county's newspaper (and pay a $25 newspaper fee) as well as surrender your license plates of any registered vehicles.

Third DUI Conviction in Georgia

Georgia law also splits third DUI convictions into the same time frames. If you are convicted of your third DUI within 5 or 10 years, you have committed a high and aggravated misdemeanor. For a third DUI conviction in 10 years, the maximum consequences are 12 months of jail time and a fine of $5,000. The minimum consequences can include 15 days in jail, a $1,000 fine, 240 hours of community service, DUI School, 12 months of probation, a substance abuse evaluation, and recommended treatment. For a third DUI conviction in 5 years, you face all of the same minimum and maximum consequences, and you will be required to publish a notice of your conviction and your photograph in your county's newspaper (and pay a $25 newspaper fee) as well as forfeit your vehicle to the state of Georgia. 

For a more extensive list of consequences, explore our Georgia DUI Consequences page. 

No DUI consequence or DUI penalty in Georgia is a certainty, but you need to act now to protect your rights. If you or a loved one has been arrested or charged with a DUI in Georgia, contact our offices today.