Atlanta DUI Defense Attorney

Understanding Georgia DUI Laws

A driver's sobriety is determined by the amount of alcohol found within his or her bloodstream, commonly referred as blood alcohol concentration or BAC. In the state of Georgia, it is illegal to drive or operate a vehicle if your blood alcohol concentration .08% or more. If you are suspected of drunk driving, an officer will conduct a traffic stop and pull you over. He or she will ask for your identification and then request your cooperation with a field sobriety test. This may include the walk and turn or the one leg stand. Any failure on your part is grounds for a DUI arrest. The police officer may also discover that you are driving with BAC at or above .08% by conducting a breath test. Any violation of DUI law will result in your arrest on DUI charges.

DUI: A Two-Part Process

A DUI arrest will lead to two separate processes: a hearing with the Georgia Department of Motor Vehicles and a criminal case. It is important to understand the difference between the two and the significance of each. Ignorance related to your license suspension hearing will result in your driving privileges being suspended without opportunity for review. With so much at stake, it is worth taking time to get the right information.

The DMV hearing is an administrative process to determine whether or not your driver's license will be suspended. The DMV hearing does not address whether or not you are criminally guilty of DUI. The sole purpose of the hearing is to determine whether or not you drove under the influence. If you did, your driver's license will be suspended. However, you only have 10 business days from the date of your arrest to schedule this hearing. If you do not schedule your hearing within the 10-day limit, your driver's license will automatically be suspended.

The criminal case is a separate process from the DMV hearing to determine whether or not you are criminally guilty of driving under the influence. You and your attorney will appear at an arraignment where you will plead either guilty or not guilty to DUI. If you plead "guilty," your case ends there and you will be sentenced to various legal penalties. If you plead "not guilty," the judge will set a future court date where your case will be tried before a jury. Since driving under the influence is a crime in Georgia, you will be sentenced to a number of legal penalties if you are found guilty at your criminal trial.

A skilled DUI attorney is an extremely helpful tool when facing a hearing or court appearance. In fact, the right lawyer can make all the difference in the outcome of your case. Make sure you choose to work with a DUI lawyer you trust when facing DUI charges in Atlanta.

DUI Lawyer in Atlanta

A seasoned Atlanta criminal defense lawyer like Judy Kim can make all the difference in the world between a DUI conviction and a verdict of "not guilty." Furthermore, a good DUI lawyer can also help you preserve your driving privileges. Your attorney can stand up for your rights in court, and aggressively negotiate to get your charges reduced or dismissed.

The last thing you want or need is a DUI conviction on your record. If you are found guilty of DUI, you will be sentenced to a number of adverse penalties, such as driver's license suspension, probation, fines, community service, DUI school, alcohol treatment, and possible time in jail. In addition, your insurance premium is likely to increase significantly and you may be required to install an ignition interlock device on your car.

Contact Atlanta DUI Defense Attorney Judy Kim

It cannot be expressed enough how important it is to have an aggressive and resourceful Atlanta DUI attorney on your side. With many years of experience under her belt, Attorney Judy Kim has the legal knowledge and skill to effectively handle your DUI case. She does not back down to prosecutors, and will work tirelessly to protect your best interest and win your case. There is nothing more important to her then providing you with the unwavering dedication and unrelenting defense you deserve throughout each stage of your DUI case!

To set up your free initial consultation, contact an Atlanta DUI attorney at the Law Office of Judy Kim.