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If you have been arrested for DUI in Atlanta or Fulton County, it’s essential that you protect both your driving privileges and have representation who understands the court system in Fulton County. Our firm is well versed in representing clients against all forms of charges in Atlanta including DUI charges.
GSP Nighthawks typically read you Georgia Implied Consent before asking you for a breath or blood sample test; you have every right to refuse either test.
1. It’s a Misdemeanor
An arrest and conviction for DUI in Georgia can result in jail time, probation, community service hours, alcohol/drug evaluation/treatment programs and fines/other fees. Furthermore, these consequences could have devastating repercussions for your career and personal life.
Atlanta lacks adequate public transit options, leaving most to rely on their cars to travel from home to bars and restaurants – and back again. Atlanta police and Georgia State Patrol’s DUI Task Force Nighthawks patrol highways as well as nightlife areas like Buckhead, Paces Ferry and Peachtree Street regularly to detect drivers drinking and driving.
There are various strategies available to Atlanta DUI defendants who wish to contest their charges; finding an experienced attorney is essential in doing so successfully. If there were no reasonable suspicion for stopping you or inconsistencies with how evidence was gathered, those can all serve as viable defenses against these allegations.
2. It’s a Traffic Offense
Midtown Atlanta provides plenty of places for overindulgence and impaired driving to occur; however, these incidents don’t often make headlines unless they involve celebrities.
Some drivers use cars to show off their driving abilities by performing what the law refers to as “street racing.” Drivers block off junctions and race against one another at high speeds through tight turns while emitting tire smoke for maximum effect on onlookers.
Arrested individuals will be brought to the City of Atlanta Pre-Trial Detention Center where they can appear before a Judge and post bond. An experienced DUI lawyer may be able to help their client avoid jail time by taking their case directly before either Fulton County Municipal Court or City of Atlanta Municipal Court for trial proceedings.
3. It’s a Minor Violation
If you have been charged with DUI in Atlanta, the penalties could include fines and jail time. Furthermore, having a criminal record can have long-term repercussions, limiting your ability to rent an apartment, apply for jobs or secure loans as well as damaging your reputation.
An experienced DUI attorney can provide invaluable assistance during this process and protect your rights. They will also evaluate plea offers to determine whether they should be accepted or declined.
DUI cases in Atlanta Municipal Court are prosecuted under Chief Judge Christopher Ward and his panel of associate judges, with each judge handling traffic, DUI, and misdemeanor cases assigned as needed based on your circumstances – you will appear for an arraignment, pretrial hearings and bench trial with one or more associate judges assigned as judges in charge.
4. It’s a Class A Misdemeanor
A DUI conviction will remain on your permanent record and could hinder future job applications. A skilled City of Atlanta DUI lawyer may help by fighting to have this charge dismissed or reduced to something like reckless driving.
DUI arrests nationwide have been declining, and many attribute the decrease to ridesharing apps like Uber and Lyft; however, other potential factors could explain this trend as well.
Atlanta is a city for drivers, and many utilize their cars to access bars, restaurants and nightclubs. State troopers, the police and other law enforcement officials place DUI checkpoints and roadblocks in areas with heavy car traffic in order to effectively enforce law.
5. It’s a Class B Misdemeanor
No matter who you are or your celebrity status is, anyone can still get arrested in Atlanta for DUI. Not necessarily with drunk driving charges as an outcome but possibly disorderly conduct charges from an officer if you knowingly hinder or obstruct them from performing their duties and use profane, vulgar or obscene language without provocation in their presence.
Your Atlanta DUI lawyer must possess the proper training for handling this type of case to protect your rights and win it for you. The longer he or she spends investigating by visiting the location, watching arrest videos, debriefing witnesses and preparing pre-trial motions, the greater your chance is at winning it – or possibly avoiding conviction altogether by hiring an experienced lawyer.
6. It’s a Class C Misdemeanor
Arrest for DUI in Atlanta can have severe real-world repercussions that extend far beyond jail time, the loss of your license, and mandatory alcohol/drug treatment programs. Social stigma and treatment from friends, family and coworkers could all have lasting ramifications on one’s life if found guilty; an experienced Atlanta DUI Lawyer can help minimize its effect.
DUI Task Forces and Nighthawks programs in North Carolina have proven highly successful at driving down conviction numbers; total convictions have fallen from 33,844 in 2008 to 21,953 in 2013, though GBI data demonstrates only a modest decrease between these years.
7. It’s a Felony
Many are surprised to learn that DUI convictions in Atlanta can result in jail time, probationary years and the requirement of attending alcohol/drug treatment programs and community service projects. Furthermore, individuals may suffer social stigma as well as lose driving privileges for an extended period of time.
Buckhead, home to numerous bars and nightlife spots, can often see DUI charges brought against those who’ve overindulged or driven off after drinking too much, although these incidents rarely make headlines unless a celebrity gets arrested.
An experienced DUI attorney can help you understand and make informed decisions regarding the evidence in your case, such as an incident report, chemical tests conducted and body or dash cam footage from officers responding to your DUI traffic stop.
