Atlanta DUI Lawyer

Attorney Judy Kim has a unique advantage when it comes to defending his clients charged with DUI with a unique perspective of the DUI process. If you have been arrested on DUI charges, such as an underage DUI, there is no other criminal defense attorney in the Atlanta area that is better equipped to handle your case.

Georgia DUI Laws

If you are caught driving a motor vehicle while under the influence of drugs or alcohol, you will be arrested and booked on DUI charges. Some of the law pertaining to driving under the influence in Georgia include:

You are considered too drunk to operate a vehicle when your blood alcohol content level (BAC) meets or exceeds .08%.
If you are under the age of 21, you are not permitted to operate a vehicle if your BAC meets or exceeds .02%.
If you are a commercial truck driver, you are not permitted to operate a commercial vehicle if your BAC meets or exceeds .04%.
You will be arrested and booked on DUI charges if you drive under the influence of any illegal drug, prescription drug, glue, aerosol, or other toxic vapor to the extent that it is no longer safe for you to drive. Even if the drug you took is legal, you can still be arrested if it has impaired your ability to safely operate a vehicle.

Understanding the 10 Day Rule

If you have been arrested for a DUI, you have 10 business days from the date of your DUI arrest to properly request an Administrative License Suspension Hearing from the Georgia Department of Driver Services. This is a separate court date from the court date you may have received on your citations.

Penalties for a DUI in Georgia

First DUI within 10 years

$300 to $1,000 fine plus statutory surcharges and probation fees
10 Days to 1 Year in Jail all but 24 hours may be served on probation
DUI School known in Georgia as the Risk Reduction School
40 Hours of Community Service if over 21
20 Hours of Community Service if under 21
Clinical evaluation for substance abuse and treatment if needed
1 Year Probation
1 Year License Suspension if breath test was not refused and over 21 and upon completion of DUI school may apply for a limited drivers licenses that is valid for 120 days. After 120 days may have full license reinstated
Under 21 and BAC of .08% or more 1 year hard suspension, no limited drivers license.
Under 21 and BAC under .08% 6 month suspension with no limited drivers license

Second DUI within 10 years

$600 to $1,000 fine plus statutory surcharges and probation fees
90 Days to 1 Year in Jail all but 72 hours may be served on probation
DUI School known in Georgia as the Risk Reduction School
30 Days of Community Service (240 hours to 250 hours)
Mandatory Alcohol Evaluation and/or Treatment
License plate confiscation all licenses plates registered to the offender are confiscated by the court and reissued after a limited drivers license or full reinstatement is issued (there is a possible hardship exception)
Photo and disposition published in the county legal newspaper
Up to 1 Year Probation
Suspension of drivers licenses all drivers 3 Years, with no limited license for 12 months for Georgia residence
Under 21 possible reinstatement after 18 months and completion of the DUI School and clinical evaluation
21 and over drivers may apply for 6 month ignition interlock device after 12 months, if authorized by court order
Clinical Evaluation mandatory minimum 17 week treatment program in order for Georgia Licensee to be eligible of a limited drivers license
Ignition Interlock Device required for eligibility for a limited drivers license after 12 months for drivers 21 and over, if court ordered

Third DUI within 10 years (declared a habitual violator)

$1,000 to $5,000 plus statutory surcharges and probation fees
120 days to 12 to months in Jail all but 15 days may be served on probation
30 Days Community Service (240 hours to 250 hours)
Alcohol Evaluation and/or Treatment
Up to 1 Year Probation minus any jail time served
Photo and disposition published in the county legal newspaper
License plate confiscation all licenses plates registered to the offender are confiscated by the court and reissued after a limited drivers license or full reinstatement is issued (there is a possible hardship exception)
All drivers 5 Year License Revocation with no limited license for 24 months for Georgia residence
Under 21 no limited or full drivers license for full 30 months for Georgia residence
21 and over drivers possible probationary license for Georgia licensees after 24 months if DUI School and clinical evaluation and required treatment completed, liability insurance proven, and interlock installed for 6 months
Ignition Interlock Device

Fourth DUI within 10 years FELONY if all four arrest occurred after July 1, 2008

1 to 5 years in jail of which all but 90 days may be served on probation
12 to 60 months probation minus any jail time served
$1,000 to $5,000 fine plus surcharges and probation fees
Possible seizure and forfeiture of motor vehicle if already declared a habitual violator for 3 prior DUI convictions and convicted for new DUI
All other requirements stated above

Aggressive DUI Attorney in Atlanta

Attorney Judy Kim has an in-depth knowledge of the Atlanta metro area court systems, as well as the DUI penalties and knows effective defense strategies for handling your case. Judy Kim will challenge the accuracy of any field sobriety tests or chemical tests you may have taken, assist you with your DMV hearing, and negotiate to get your charges reduced or dismissed in court.

Contact an Atlanta DUI lawyer at the Law Office of Judy Kim to schedule your consultation at (404) 566-9970.