WARM SPRINGS DUI LAWYER - WARM SPRINGS DUI ATTORNEY

At Lawson and Berry, our Warm Springs DUI Attorneys handle cases all types of DUI charges in the municipal, state, probate, and superior courts throughout Georgia. For over 25 years, our lawyers have a strong reputation for obtaining favorable results for our clients. No matter if this was your first arrest ever or your third DUI, we can help. Contact us today for a free case evaluation and see why we are Georgia's premier DUI defense firm. 

30 Day Warning

You only have 30 days after your DUI arrest to protect your driver's license from being suspended. To prevent the suspension, you must either file a letter requesting an Administrative License Suspension (ALS) hearing or install an ignition interlock device on your vehicle. Both of these approaches should be discussed with a Warm Springs DUI Attorney before you make a decision. However, if you have been charged with refusing the blood, breath, or urine test, your license will be suspended for one year. To protect your Georgia' driver's license, call us now.

Penalties for a DUI Conviction in Warm Springs 

One of the first questions we get asked from a client is what penalties are they facing. We will address what the consequences are for a first, second, and third DUI conviction in Warm Springs. However, remember this only apply if you are convicted. No one should simply plead guilty and accept these consequences. There are always Georgia DUI defenses we can use to support your case.

If convicted of DUI in Warm Springs, the penalties you face will vary depending on a number of circumstances. The facts of the case influence whether a judge orders a sentence closer to the maximum or minimum limits. In large part, the sentencing ranges depending on the number of prior DUI convictions.

First DUI penalty in Warm Springs:

• Up to one year in jail
• 12 months of probation
• Fine between $300-$100 plus court costs and surcharges
• At least 40 hours of community service
• DUI school
• Driver's license suspension, with a limited permit to drive
• MADD panel
• Substance abuse counseling

Second DUI penalty:

• Minimum three days in jail
• 12-36 months or probation
• Fines between $600-$1,000
• 240 hours of community service
• License suspension for at least 1 year
• Installation of an ignition interlock device
• Surrender or license plate
• 17 weeks of alcohol and drug counseling
• Publication of photo in the local newspaper
• DUI Court programs

Third DUI penalty in Warm Springs:

• 12-36 months of probation
• Fine between $1,000-$5,000
• Surrender of license plate
• 5-year license suspension with a limited permit available after two years of ignition interlock device
• 17 weeks of alcohol and drug counseling
• Publication of photo in the local newspaper
• Habitual violator status

Remember, these only come into play if you are convicted. Our Warm Springs DUI Lawyers have decades of experience getting DUI charges dismissed or reduced to a lesser charge. Let us help you avoid these consequences!

Consequences Of A DUI Conviction in Warm Springs

Many people are unaware of the non-judicial penalties a DUI conviction can incur. Fines and jail time are typical punishments, but the consequences of DUI conviction extend far beyond that. Some of the non-judicial costs of a DUI include:

Travel: Some countries, including Canada, will not allow people who have been convicted of a DUI to enter. This may sound extreme, but we have seen this happen even to those charged with a DUI. Canada has full access to United States criminal records and will run a background check on you. When a DUI charge or conviction is revealed, you will either not be let in or will be forced to return to the US if it is discovered after. This is a significant problem for those who travel to Canada for business because there is not a business exemption. However, you will not be allowed in for vacation or fishing either. Canada is not the only country with this rule, so having a DUI conviction on your record can make travel difficult.

School: If you receive an underage DUI and are applying for college, most universities take a serious look at criminal records. You may be denied admission because of that charge. In other cases, scholarship or grant eligibility may be greatly diminished, and existing scholarships can be taken away for DUI convictions. If you were over 21 and are thinking of going back to school, a DUI conviction can still have an impact. It can make it difficult to be accepted or to obtain scholarships.

Employment: Even though DUI charges are relatively common, that does mean employers have thoroughly accepted them. Most employers run background checks on employees. If you are in the transportation industry, a DUI conviction is generally a serious matter. We have seen people lose their jobs because of a DUI conviction. This does not just apply to drivers with CDL licenses either. It applies to people who have company cars, pizza delivery drivers, bus drivers, and does not matter if the DUI was received off the job.

Furthermore, if you have a job that requires you to drive, a license suspension could still cost you your job. Some DUI charges or convictions come with a license suspension (even as little as 30 days). Not having a license could prevent you from doing your job and possibly result in termination.

Ignition Interlock Device: You have the option to install an ignition interlock device on your vehicle to avoid the automatic suspension of your license. However, after a second DUI conviction, the ignition interlock device is mandatory. The device typically costs $150 upfront plus a $75.00 a month in addition to any maintenance expenses. It is important to weigh these costs when trying to decide between installing the device or filing for an ALS hearing.

Incidental Expenses: Other than the court fines and surcharges, there are additional expenses that can quickly add up. One example is if convicted of DUI, or participating in a diversion program, a judge may require that you participate in a drug and alcohol risk reduction course. These courts cost $355.00. If you receive probation, you will be required to pay a monthly monitoring fee and pay for random urine or blood tests. If your license is suspended, you will have to pay a reinstatement fee. There are numerous expenses other than court costs that can make a DUI expensive.

Car Rental: Most car rental companies run driver's license checks on prospective customers in an effort to minimize their losses. If you have a DUI or multiple traffic violations on your driving record, it can make it difficult to rent a vehicle.

Car Insurance: A DUI on your driving record could double or triple your insurance premiums. Some insurance companies will drop you as a customer and refused to insure you if you have a DUI or multiple other traffic violations. This will force your insurance to become very expensive but also force you to choose lesser insurance companies to insure you.

Warm Springs Municipal Court

If arrested for DUI in Warm Springs, then your case will proceed to Warm Springs Municipal Court. The Court is located at 3655 Whitehouse Parkway, Warm Springs, GA 31830. The Court Clerk is Carrie Walrath and she can be reached at (706) 655-9096. The Honorable Robert Morton presides over the Court. 

Map to Warm Springs Municipal Court

Contact Us

Our Warm Springs DUI Lawyers have over 50 combined years of DUI experience. We have dedicated ourselves to staying up to date on recent law developments as well as case law. We frequently attend trainings and speak with medical experts about chemical testing. Our goal is always to help our clients obtain a favorable outcome of their case. Contact us today for a free case evaluation.