Driving Under the Influence

Driving under the influence means getting behind the wheel after consuming alcohol or drugs. If you get caught in this position, you could face several different charges. To find out more information about this type of offense in Georgia, click here. However, what happens if children are in the vehicle while you are driving under the influence? The charges can be much different and have serious consequences. 

Driving Under the Influence with Children

According to Georgia law, child endangerment is considered when a child under 14 is in the car, and the driver is impaired. Receiving a DUI with child endangerment is something to be taken seriously, and without an experienced lawyer, you could face harsh punishments. 

Getting Charged with DUI and Child Endangerment

Understanding that these two things are two different charges is the first thing you want to learn about. Even though most cases of DUI and Child Endangerment come from the same event, the charges still have to be separate for processing to occur correctly and lawfully. Another thing to note is that if there is more than one child in the vehicle during this DUI occurrence, you could receive a separate charge for each child. Although getting a DUI charge is serious, adding additional charges to your record can add to more than just a misdemeanor. These charges can lead you to have your license suspended or even a felony. 

Consequences of DUI and Child Endangerment

As stated above, receiving these charges can lead to license suspension, a misdemeanor, or even a felony. Another significant consequence of receiving these types of charges can result in losing your job. Those with specific job titles face the most risk of losing their jobs if caught driving under the influence with children in the car. The jobs include:

• Truck drivers
• Employees who use company cars or fleet vehicles
• Salespeople
• Real estate agents
• Bus drivers

Other people who can potentially face significant consequences from these convictions include but are not limited to:

• Teachers
• Coaches
• Daycare owners and employees
• Healthcare providers
• Parents involved in a custody battle

Defending DUI and Child Endangerment Cases

If you or someone you know is involved in a case with DUI and DUI Child Endangerment, contact me today for a free consultation. After your consultation, where we will review your incident and records, I will work to find the best defense strategy. Each case is unique, and there are many things to consider. You must hire an experienced Georgia DUI lawyer to get the best outcome possible. I have years of experience handling these types of cases and know the intricate laws surrounding these types of DUI charges.