Drunk driving charges are serious on their own, but many factors can make the penalties even more severe. For example, when police suspect that alcohol contributed to an accident, or if police suspect a driver of being intoxicated while transporting children, that driver could face strict scrutiny and more serious consequences if convicted of DUI or other related charges.
A Georgia woman recently found herself in this situation. Police say that the 28-year-old mother hit two picnic tables at a mobile home park before driving through a fence. Authorities claim that she then drove the wrong way on Georgia Highway 42 before returning to the mobile home park and hitting the steps of the leasing office.
Unfortunately, her two children, ages four and six, were in her car at the time. Police say that the kids were not wearing seatbelts.
After the car accident, the mother took a breathalyzer test. Police officers allege that the results of that test indicated her blood alcohol content was .392 percent, more than four times the legal limit in Georgia.
The circumstances led police officers to charge the woman with multiple crimes, including:
- DUI
- Reckless driving
- Driving on the wrong side of the road
- Striking a fixed object
- Two counts of child endangerment
- Two counts of child restraint
These charges could have a serious impact on her life. Not only does she face losing her driver’s license, heavy fines and possible jail time for the DUI charges, the other accusations will carry stiff penalties of their own. Presenting an aggressive criminal defense will be incredibly important in this situation.
Source: 11alive.com, “CLAYTON: Woman charged with DUI, blows a .392,” Michael King, 24 June 2011