Atlanta, Georgia DUI 2nd Offense


Atlanta, Georgia DUI 2nd Offense
If you are facing a 2nd driving under the influence (DUI) offense in Atlanta, you already have experience with the court system and understand the steep penalties you face for being convicted of drunk driving. Please know that just because you have been charged with an Atlanta, Georgia DUI 2nd offense, you still have a chance of successfully fighting your case—all you need is an experienced defense lawyer on your side.

When determining the penalties for a defendant convicted of a 2nd DUI offense, the judge must refer to the minimum mandatory sentencing guidelines. For a 2nd offense within 5 years, the minimum jail sentence is 72 hours, although many judges order a 1 to 2 week sentence for second offenders. In addition, you may be ordered to pay fines ranging from $600 to $1,000, perform community service, and attend DUI School.

A 2nd offense could also result in a 12-month probation period, minus any jail time served. This means that if you only serve the minimum 3-day jail sentence, your probation period will only be 11 months and 27 days. It is extremely important to adhere to the terms of your probation, such as attending AA meetings or checking in with your probation officer as failing to comply with these guidelines could result in jail time.

A three-year driver’s license suspension may be imposed upon a 2nd DUI conviction. For the first 12 months, you will face a “hard suspension”—meaning no driving at all. After this hard suspension had ended, you may be allowed to drive, but the court may require you to have an ignition interlock device installed in your vehicle for a minimum of six months. Your license plates will also be confiscated until you are eligible for these restricted driving privileges. What’s more, before your license can be reinstated, you will must complete a 17-week alcohol treatment course and pay the required reinstatement fee.

In addition, the judge may also order you to pay a $25 fee to have your name, photo, address, and details of your arrest published in your local paper. Out-of-state drivers are required to have this information published in the county where they were arrested.

Let one of Atlanta’s top DUI lawyers prepare a strong defense for your case. Contact Attorney Lee Webb today for a free initial evaluation on your Atlanta DUI 2nd offense arrest.