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You Don’t Have To Plead Guilty To DUI Charges

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.

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.

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.

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.