Most people are aware of the dangers of driving under the influence, including traffic fatalities and injuries. That said, drunk and drugged driving is a growing threat.

Whether you were impaired or sober, being pulled over and arrested on suspicion of drunk or drugged driving can negatively impact all aspects of your life.

DUI Charge in Georgia

When you are dealing with a DUI charge in Georgia, it is essential to have an experienced Savannah DUI lawyer on your side who understands what you are going through and can fight for your freedom. 

At The Patel Law Firm, I am committed to helping my clients fight unfair DUI charges so they can move forward with their lives. If you have been arrested for drunk or drugged driving in Savannah, Georgia, it is imperative that you seek immediate legal help.

Just because you are charged with a DUI does not mean that you will be convicted of the offense. An experienced DUI attorney can use various strategies to help prevent a conviction or reduce your sentence. However, for the most favorable outcome, you must act immediately.

Georgia Code and Blood Alcohol Content

Ga. Code § 40-6-391 states that a driver cannot be in physical control of a vehicle while under the influence of alcohol, any drug, glue, aerosol or toxic vapor that renders it unsafe for them to drive.

Georgia’s current legal blood alcohol content (BAC) limit is .08% for adult drivers (persons ages 21 and over) who are NOT operating a commercial motor vehicle (CMV). 

According to NHTSA, the typical effects of a .08 BAC level of impairment include:

• Poor muscle coordination (balance, speech vision, reaction time, hearing)
• Difficulty detecting danger
• Impaired judgment, self-control, reasoning, and memory

This might inhibit your ability to drive by affecting:

• Concentration
• Short-term memory loss
• Speed control
• Reduced capability of processing information
• Impaired perception

[Source: MoneyGeek.com]

A person’s BAC must not exceed .08% within three hours after operating a motor vehicle. 

For those operating a CMV, or any vehicle that requires a CDL, the BAC cannot exceed .04%. Georgia also has a zero-tolerance policy for drivers under the age of 21, meaning a BAC of .02% or higher will result in a DUI charge.

What happens after you’ve been arrested for DUI in Georgia?

After a Georgia DUI arrest, the Georgia Department of Driving Services will suspend your license for a year unless your attorney files an appeal within 30 days. If you miss the deadline, your license will be suspended.

Anyone aged twenty-one (21) or older convicted of driving under the influence, DUI, is subject to a suspension or revocation of their driver’s license or non-resident driving privilege for a period of 120 days to five (5) years depending upon the prior driving record.

DUI Defense Strategies 

Some DUI defense strategies include:

• Challenging a DUI stop
• Ambien DUI
• Mouth-alcohol DUI defense 
• Diabetes as a Defense Strategy for DUI
• GERD DUI defense

Each type of DUI has a separate set of penalties and qualifying factors. However, they all deal with an individual operating a vehicle (motor or non-motor) under the influence of drugs or alcohol. 

Get Help From an Experienced Savannah DUI Lawyer

If you or your family member has been arrested for drunk driving or drugged driving in Savannah, contact my law firm today for a fully confidential consultation.

For over 15 years, I have helped Georgia residents fight charges of driving under the influence. As a former Chatham County assistant district attorney, I use my insight on both sides of the courtroom to determine the best approach for my client’s defense.