A DUI conviction in the state of Georgia can have long-term, life-altering consequences. If you are charged with driving under the influence, you need an experienced Jeff Davis County DUI lawyer to help you understand your rights. Hazlehurst criminal defense attorney George McCranie is well-versed in Georgia DUI law, and can give you a fair shot at winning your case.
What Are the Consequences of a Georgia DUI?
In Georgia, a DUI conviction means facing:
- a criminal record
- jail time
- license suspension
- probation
- DUI school
- community service
- higher auto insurance rates
George McCranie has served south Georgia for many years, helping clients with all aspects of Georgia DUI charges.
Challenging DUI Breath Tests
If you took a breath test and results showed that your blood alcohol concentration (BAC) was .08 or higher, your Jeff Davis County DUI lawyer can still help you fight the charges against you.
In order for a breath test to be accurate, the breathalyzer used to administer the test must be maintained, calibrated, and administered properly. There are other factors involved as well. A breathalyzer can only measure the amount of alcohol on your breath. Therefore, if you ate any food prior to taking the test, this could prevent the device from measuring the alcohol level accurately.
Your Hazlehurst criminal defense attorney can examine the facts of your case and may be able to challenge or even overturn your DUI charges.
Challenging DUI Blood Tests
Likewise, if you took a blood test and results showed that your BAC was .08 or higher, your Jeff Davis County DUI lawyer can challenge the test results. Sometimes, law enforcement officers do not administer the test according to protocol, which affects the accuracy of the results. Certain medical conditions can affect results as well. Hiring a seasoned Hazlehurst criminal defense attorney who is well aware of these factors can change the game.
Multiple DUI Convictions
If this is not your first DUI, and you were already convicted of a DUI in the last five years, you need a Jeff Davis County DUI lawyer more than ever. Punishment in Georgia for multiple convictions is more severe, and you may be facing:
- A minimum of 72 hours in jail
- A minimum of 240 hours of community service
- A license suspension that will last for three years (as well as a 12-month wait to receive a work permit and 18-month wait for reinstatement)
- Confiscation of all family license plates
Your Hazlehurst criminal defense attorney can assist you with an administrative hearing, and determine whether to seek a plea bargain or go to trial.
Underage DUI
Just one drink can cause a young driver to be charged with DUI. In Georgia, receiving a breath or blood test of .02 is enough to sustain a conviction.
A DUI conviction will remain on a young person’s criminal history for their life. This could potentially ruin their future education and employment prospects. Jeff Davis County DUI lawyer George McCranie can help you fight these charges.
Drug-Related DUI
The state of Georgia treats driving under the influence of drugs similarly to the way it treats driving under the influence of alcohol. However, the prosecution must also be able to prove that you were driving in an unsafe manner (and that this was caused by drug use).
Your experienced Hazlehurst criminal defense attorney can work with the prosecution to negotiate a reduced sentence and lesser charges — or even get the case dismissed.
Contact a Jeff Davis County DUI Lawyer Today
If you have been pulled over and charged with a DUI in Georgia, you need to act quickly. In Georgia, you only have 10 days before your driver’s license gets suspended. Don’t delay in calling Hazlehurst criminal defense attorney George McCranie to help you with your case. Call our office today at 912-384-2889.