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You Don’t Have To Plead Guilty To DUI Charges

Last updated on June 28, 2024

A DUI conviction can wreak havoc on your life not just for a few months but for years down the road. Heavy fines. Increased insurance rates. Loss of your driver’s license. A permanent record. Maybe even jail time. So while many criminal defense attorneys are willing to help you make a guilty plea, doesn’t it make more sense to work with a lawyer who will fight your charges?

Not all criminal attorneys spend a lot of time at trial. Not so at Daniels & Rothman. Our lawyers know what is at stake when you face DUI charges. That’s why we focus on contested DUI cases and fighting charges at trial.

Work With A Recognized Leader In DUI Defense

Our DUI practice is led by attorney Jeffrey Rothman, a leader in this area of criminal law. Attorney Rothman has successfully defended individuals against drunk driving charges for decades. He is one of the few attorneys in our area who consistently fights DUI charges at trial.

A member of the prestigious National College for DUI Defense and of the DUI Defense Lawyers Association (DUIDLA), attorney Rothman is frequently invited to speak to other lawyers concerning DUI defense. When you hire our DUI defense team, you benefit from lawyer Rothman’s expansive trial experience and his substantial understanding of Georgia’s DUI laws.

Developing Innovative Strategies For DUI Cases

While we believe in hard work early in the case, we know not to develop your bargaining position in plea negotiations. We get ready for trial and make sure that the prosecution understands that. Our team will leave no stone unturned when looking for ways to get evidence thrown out. Regardless of your unique circumstances, we will find a defense.

This includes innovative legal strategies for issues surrounding:

Having a drunk driving conviction on your record can affect your life for years. Your insurance rates will skyrocket, and your driving privileges may be at risk. Don’t jeopardize your case by working with an attorney who dabbles in DUI defense. We have the insight and trial experience you need to fight these serious offenses.

Steps To Take After Getting Charged With A DUI

Facing a DUI charge can be a distressing ordeal. However, understanding the steps can help ease the process and minimize its impact on your life. With the help of a DUI lawyer, here are a few things you should do after receiving a DUI charge:

  • Seek legal representation immediately: The first and most crucial step after being charged with a DUI in Athens is to seek the assistance of an experienced DUI lawyer. A lawyer who is familiar with Georgia’s DUI laws can be your guide and advocate throughout the legal proceedings, helping you understand your rights and options.
  • Review the details of your arrest: Your attorney will generally want to get copies of the police report, the chemical analysis of your breath or bodily fluids, bodycam or dashcam footage and your own observations to look for issues that can used as part of your defense. A careful review can reveal procedural violations that could be crucial to your case.
  • Understand the consequences of a conviction: Learn about the potential legal options of a DUI conviction in Georgia, including fines, license suspension, mandatory alcohol education programs and jail time for repeat offenses.
  • Attend all court proceedings: You should attend all court proceedings related to your DUI charge, including arraignment, pretrial hearings and trial (if it comes to it). Your lawyer will represent you in court, presenting evidence and arguments on your behalf to either negotiate a favorable plea deal or defend your rights in court.
  • Address the potential license suspension: Be proactive in addressing any suspension imposed due to your DUI charge. Your lawyer can assist you in seeking a temporary driving permit or hardship license, which will allow you to maintain essential driving privileges while your case is pending.

With the help of a knowledgeable DUI lawyer, these steps can help you achieve the most favorable outcome for your case.

DUI Frequently Asked Questions

Are DUI Charges Serious?

Yes. Whether you are charged with a misdemeanor or felony offense, the charges are serious. If you are convicted, your license will be suspended, you will need to pay court fees and fines, and you may face jail time. Your insurance rates will also skyrocket. Fighting these charges can help you keep your record clean and protect your driving privileges.

What Are The Penalties For DUI In Georgia?

Impaired driving in Georgia can lead to multiple penalties, broken down by the offense level and severity as follows:

  • First offense: Jail time of up to a year, license suspension for up to a year, community service, license reinstatement fees and financial penalties of up to $1,000
  • Second offense: Same as a first offense, plus the possibility of a substance abuse treatment program at your expense
  • Third offense (within five months): Mandatory minimum jail time, fines of up to $5,000, license suspension for up to five years, habitual offender designation and community service
  • Fourth and subsequent offenses: Felony offense with a prison sentence of up to five years, license suspension for up to 10 years, fines of up to $5,000, designation as a habitual offender plus community service and mandatory drug/alcohol counseling

With any of these offenses, probation is also likely in addition to any prison sentence the judge imposes.

Will You Lose Your Driver’s License?

In Georgia, even first-time offenders have their licenses suspended when they are convicted of a DUI. Your license could be suspended for 12 months for a first-offense DUI. Repeat offenders face longer suspensions – a three-year suspension for a second offense and a five-year suspension for a third offense. Losing your license affects your ability to get to work, run errands and transport your kids to school. When your driving privileges are at risk, it is critical to combat these charges.

What If The Breathalyzer Was Wrong?

It is not uncommon for breathalyzer tests to record inaccurate readings. The machine may not be calibrated correctly. The machine may be old or unreliable. Radio interference may have affected the machine’s circuitry, leading to false readings.

Our DUI attorney, Jeffrey Rothman, knows how to attack breathalyzer test results in court – and win. He has been successfully representing clients facing DUI charges for decades. You can depend on him to scrutinize the results of your breathalyzer test when he takes your case and builds a strong argument for you.

What Does A DUI Mean In Georgia?

You can be charged with driving under the influence (DUI) when your driving is impaired due to any intoxicating substance, whether that is alcohol, illicit drugs, prescriptions or over-the-counter medications (or any combo of those things).

Do You Need An Attorney To Fight A DUI?

Retaining an attorney to fight DUI charges is a smart decision. Georgia’s legal process and its DUI laws are complex, and it can be overwhelming to navigate this system if you do not have a legal background. When your driving privileges are on the line, don’t hope that the prosecutor will offer you a favorable deal. Lawyer Rothman will help you fight the charges.

What Is The Difference Between A DUI And A DWI?

“Driving under the influence” (DUI) and “driving while intoxicated” (DWI) are often used interchangeably to indicate driving that is impaired by drugs or alcohol. Some states use these terms to indicate different charges, but Georgia does not.

Is A DUI In Georgia A felony?

Most DUIs in Georgia are misdemeanor offenses, but there are exceptions. A fourth DUI conviction is always treated as a felony and you will be labeled a “habitual offender.” However, even a first offense can be elevated to a felony if you cause an accident that leads to another person’s severe injury or death. If you are convicted of a felony-level DUI, you will receive between one and 15 years in prison, among other penalties.

What Happens When I Get A DUI In Georgia?

Georgia’s penalties for a first-time DUI are fierce. If your blood alcohol content (BAC) was over .08 when you were arrested, you must serve at least 24 hours in jail, with a potential of up to a year behind bars followed by probation. You will also face fines (up to $1,000) and court costs, and be subject to a year-long license suspension. You will also need to complete a DUI alcohol or drug program before your license can be reinstated.

How Long Does A DUI Stay On Your Record?

In Georgia, a DUI conviction cannot be expunged, so it remains on your record forever. This is true whether you plead guilty or are convicted at trial. The potential for long-lasting consequences of having a criminal record in your future are among the reasons you need to actively fight the charges.

Contact Our Athens DUI Lawyer

Our proven DUI defense techniques work at pretrial hearings, license suspension hearings and trials of the criminal charges. They work so well that we sometimes wonder why anyone would ever plead guilty to a DUI charge.

While we can’t guarantee results in any criminal case, we can give you an idea of our general approach and objectives. If you think you could use a DUI defense attorney who’s committed to winning your case, call 706-621-5166 or email Daniels & Rothman in Athens for a free consultation. Mr. Rothman represents DUI clients in Banks County, Barrow County, Clarke County, Elbert County, Franklin County, Greene County, Jackson County, Madison County, Oglethorpe County, the University of Georgia and surrounding communities.