A Georgia DUI conviction is forever, and, as a result, your case needs to be taken seriously.

It is critical that you understand that a Georgia DUI conviction is forever. If you plead guilty or are found guilty by a jury or judge, the resulting conviction on your record is permanent.

A DUI charge does not have to ruin your life. Contact The Patel Law Firm to help fight your DUI charge and protect your future.

Georgia DUI Laws Have No First Offender and No Expungement

While several states offer a first offense expungement alternative, under their respective state laws, Georgia does not.

A DUI arrest often means possible jail time, steep fines, classes, counseling sessions, and the suspension of your driver’s license. These Georgia DUI consequences can significantly impact your daily life and future employment.

Georgia’s aggressive “minimum punishment” (mandatory imposition of minimum-penalty laws) necessitates hiring a skilled Savannah DUI lawyer.

Second DUI Georgia Penalties

The look-back period in Georgia for repeat DUI offenders is ten years on the criminal side and five years on the administrative side. So, if your 2nd DUI offense happened outside of the range of the applicable look-back period, you will be sentenced as if it was your 1st DUI offense.

The 10-Year Rule in Georgia, Explained:

If you are convicted of a second DUI in Georgia within a 10-year span, you will be sentenced to a minimum 72 hours in jail and a fine between $600 to $1,000 (plus court surcharges). You must also complete 240 hours of community service, DUI School, 12 months of probation, a clinical evaluation, and any recommended substance abuse treatment.

The 5-Year Rule in Georgia, Explained:

A second DUI conviction in Georgia in 5 years carries more severe penalties. Along with the penalties listed above, you will be required to pay a $25.00 fee to publish your photograph and notice of your conviction in the county newspaper. You are also required to surrender license plates to every vehicle registered in your name, and your driver’s license will be suspended for a minimum 18 months.

For the first four months following conviction, you will be ineligible for a limited driving permit. You will also be required to install an IID (ignition interlock device) in your vehicle when you become eligible for a limited driving permit.

None of these provisions relate to expungement procedures, and they do not mean in any way that a DUI is expunged (erased) at the five or ten-year mark.

Contact The Patel Law Firm

DUI laws are complicated and constantly changing, and those changes can make a tremendous difference in the outcome of your case. You need an experienced attorney who regularly attends seminars and training covering DUI law updates. Let me help you find all the available defenses in your DUI case and navigate your DUI alcohol-related charge. 

Contact my Savannah law office at 912-656-5996 or fill out the online intake form. We are open Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., and I make myself available for weekend appointments and jail visits upon request.

Fluent in Gujarati, Hindi, and German.