Atlanta DUI Lawyer

Attorney John Rutkowski has a unique advantage when it comes to defending his clients charged with DUI. Prior to becoming a criminal defense attorney, Mr. Rutkowski spent twelve years as a deputy sheriff. During his time as a sheriff, he served two years as a member of the DUI squad, where he received training in the Scandalized Field Sobriety Test and the Intoxilyzer 5000. In addition, Attorney Rutkowski made several hundred DUI arrests, and testified on behalf of the state on many occasions. Furthermore, before focusing his practice on defense, he worked as a prosecutor where he tried several DUI cases. These experiences have given Mr. Rutkowski a unique perspective of the DUI process, and have greatly enhanced his experience and ability as a DUI defense attorney. If you have been arrested on DUI charges, there is no other DUI 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.

• Under Georgia law, 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%. 
• 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.

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.

Georgia DUI Penalties

First DUI Conviction

• Up to $1,000.00 fine
• 10 Days to 1 Year in Jail
• DUI School
• 40 Hours of Community Service
• 1 Year Probation
• 1 Year License Suspension

Second DUI Conviction

• Up to $1,000.00 Fine
• 90 Days to 1 Year in Jail
• DUI School
• 30 Days of Community Service
• Mandatory Alcohol Evaluation and/or Treatment
• Up to 1 Year Probation
• 3 Year Loss of License
• Ignition Interlock Device

Third DUI Conviction

• Fine up To $5,000.00
• 120 Days to a Year in Jail
• 30 Days Community Service
• Alcohol Evaluation and/or Treatment
• Up to 1 Year Probation
• 5 Year License Revocation
• Ignition Interlock Device

Fourth DUI Violation (Habitual Violator)

• Fine of $5,000.00
• One to Five Years in State Prison

Contact Atlanta DUI Attorney

Because of his experience as both a state prosecutor and sheriff on the DUI squad, Attorney Rutkowski has an in-depth knowledge of the Atlanta metro area court systems, and knows effective defense strategies for handling your case. Mr. Rutkowski will challenge the accuracy of any field sobriety tests or chemical tests you may have taken, and negotiate to get your charges reduced or dismissed in court.

Contact the law office of Atlanta DUI attorney John Rutkowski to schedule your consultation at (404) 736-3619.