Providing Tenacious Defense Against DUI Charges
Last updated on December 19, 2023
Driving under the influence is one of the most common criminal offenses. However, you should not underestimate the severity of these charges. If the state has charged you with drunk driving, you would be wise to gain legal representation from a DUI defense lawyer who can shield you from the potential consequences.
The strong DUI attorneys at Agricola Law, LLC, are ready to represent you. With extensive experience in both Alabama and Georgia criminal law, we can mount a comprehensive defense to your DUI or DWI charges.
DUI And DWI Charges In Georgia And Alabama: What You Need To Know
Alabama and Georgia do not distinguish between DUI and DWI. Though people sometimes use the terms interchangeably in conversation, the courts in each state recognize only DUI as a formal charge.
If a law enforcement officer finds that you have any controlled substances in your system or a blood alcohol content (BAC) of .08 or higher (or at least .04 for a commercial driver and any amount for an underage driver), you may be charged with a DUI. The penalties for a conviction may include:
- License suspension or revocation
- Expensive fines
- Installation of an interlock ignition device
- Drug and alcohol rehabilitation
- Probation
- Community service
- Jail time
At Agricola Law, we have represented clients in both states in a variety of drunk driving cases. Every DWI defense attorney on our team has achieved acquittals, dismissed charges and alternative sentencing on numerous occasions. We know what it takes to humanize you before the court, helping the judge or jury understand your circumstances and increasing your chances of a favorable outcome.
Will You Lose Your Driver’s License If You Get A DUI?
Alabama drivers can expect to have their driving privileges revoked for 90 days after a first-time DUI conviction. If they refuse the chemical testing to determine their BAC, that period increases to 180 days.
The driver’s license suspension period for a first-time DUI conviction in Georgia is 12 months. Drivers who refuse chemical testing in this state can also expect to lose their licenses for 12 months.
In both states, the length of time drivers are barred from driving increases with each subsequent DUI offense and instance refusing chemical testing.
When Does A DUI Carry More Severe Penalties?
In Alabama and Georgia, drivers can expect more severe DUI penalties if their case involved a minor passenger in the vehicle or a BAC of .15 or greater; if they’ve reoffended within a certain time frame; or if they caused an accident that resulted in property damage, injuries or fatalities. In particularly severe cases, drunk driving offenses can be classified as felonies.
Enhanced DUI penalties may include longer prison sentences, larger fines, longer driver’s license suspension periods, being required to attend DUI school, or installing an ignition interlock device in one’s vehicle.
How Long Does A DUI Conviction Stay On Your Record?
In both Alabama and Georgia, DUI convictions stay on drivers’ records forever. These convictions won’t affect other criminal sentencing decisions after 10 years, but they will still appear in background checks, which could affect employment and housing opportunities, among other things. That’s why it’s crucial to fight DUI charges with the help of a skilled, experienced and aggressive DUI defense attorney.
The Communities Our DUI Defense Law Firm Serves
Our DUI lawyers are respected members of the Alabama communities of Opelika, Auburn, Phenix City, Valley, Lanett, Beulah, Salem, Smith Station and Montgomery, as well as Columbus, Georgia. Our attorneys regularly represent clients in courts in Russell County, Lee County, Chambers County, Macon County, Randolph County, Montgomery County, Tallapoosa County, Elmore County and Autauga County in Alabama, and Muscogee County, Harris County and Troup County in Georgia.
Schedule A Consultation With An Opelika DUI Defense Attorney
The sooner you act, the sooner we can begin your DUI defense. Contact us for comprehensive and strong representation. To schedule a confidential initial consultation with an attorney, call our Opelika office at 334-610-1064 or send us an email.