If you've been charged with a DUI, you'll want to call a Lumpkin County, Georgia DUI attorney right away. At Brett Willis Law, we're here to help. We've been representing clients charged with DUIs since 2005 and have a record of successful acquittals and dismissals. We'll build a strong case and fight for the best-case scenario to the very end. Contact us today for a free consultation.
What Is a DUI in Lumpkin County?
A DUI charge happens when you're pulled over on suspicion of being under the influence of alcohol or drugs. The officer will take a look at you and perform tests such as field sobriety tests or a breathalyzer test unless you specifically refuse them. If they have cause to believe you are under the influence, then you'll get one of two DUI charges.
One of them is a less safe DUI. This is where the officer doesn't have test results against you showing you're at or over the legal BAC limit of 0.08%. If you are at or over the limit, then you'll get a per se DUI instead. Which type you receive will affect how the case plays out because it shows what type of evidence they have against you. Less safe DUIs have fewer pieces of evidence than per se DUI cases do. However, the punishments you receive upon conviction are the same.
What to Do After Getting Charged with a DUI
If you're charged with a DUI in Lumpkin County, first reach out to a local defense lawyer that specializes in DUI law. That lawyer is going to walk you through what steps are next and walk you through the process.
The next thing you want to do also is take a look at your citation. The police officer who pulled you over is supposed to give you a citation for your DUI. Halfway down the citation, it's going to tell you when and where you're supposed to go to court. You may be going to the Dahlonega Municipal Court first and then on to the Lumpkin Superior Court, but you're only going to know that if you take a look at your citation. Your lawyer can also walk you through that if the officer didn't put where you're supposed to go because sometimes that happens as well.
Reach out to a lawyer today that's familiar with the area and let them tell you what's coming next and how to prepare. Contact Brett Willis Law today.
Why You Need a Skilled Lumpkin County, Georgia DUI Attorney
If you don't get a Lumpkin County DUI lawyer who's specializing in DUI law and is well-versed in how to defend a DUI case, then you may miss out on potential defenses in your case. DUI law is intricate and requires a great deal of attention to specific details. There are so many issues that can be raised in a DUI case. You want a good result that doesn't end up with you having a DUI conviction, and good results require skilled lawyers. If you need a skilled Lumpkin County, Georgia DUI attorney on your side, contact Brett Willis Law today.
Characteristics of the Best Lumpkin County, Georgia DUI Attorneys
What the best Lumpkin County DUI lawyers have in common is that they are specialists. These are people that put a great deal of attention, time, and effort into being good at DUI law. They've learned, they've trained, and they've been doing this for a long time. These are the people you want to give your case to.
If you need an expert Lumpkin County, Georgia DUI attorney who specializes in DUI law, look no further than Brett Willis Law — contact us today for a free consultation.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I Have to Have an Attorney or Can I Represent Myself?
Technically no, you do not have to have an attorney. You have the right to self-represent. However, having an attorney on your side comes with many benefits. One is that if you find an attorney within 30 days of your arrest, they can file an appeal document with the Department of Driver Services (DDS) to stop your license from getting suspended. Without doing this, you'll get your license taken away for a year without the possibility of getting a work permit.
Attorneys are also beneficial because they give you peace of mind. Navigating the legal system can be confusing, especially if you've never been charged with a crime before. They can answer any questions you have at every stage of the process. You can also trust them to take the wheel so you can sit back and not have to worry about anything.
Do Multiple DUI Convictions Come With More Severe Penalties?
Yes. Every subsequent DUI conviction you get in 5 years will come with more severe penalties than the first. This is especially true for fourth and subsequent DUIs, which count as felonies in Georgia. A fourth DUI comes with up to $5,000 in fines, at least one year in prison, five years of probation, and other penalties.
Will a DUI Conviction in Lumpkin County Result in a Permanent Criminal Record?
Yes, DUIs in Lumpkin County result in a permanent criminal record. Georgia does have a First Offender Act where first-time offenders of certain crimes won't have a criminal record once their sentence is successfully completed. However, due to lobbying from groups such as Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD), Georgia no longer includes DUI offenders in this act. You also can't expunge a DUI conviction or get your record restricted in any way. Once it's on there, it's there for good.
Are There Mandatory Jail Time Requirements for a DUI Conviction in Georgia?
Yes, even first-time DUI offenders have a mandatory jail time requirement. The minimum starts at 24 hours for a first-time DUI and keeps increasing for every subsequent DUI conviction over the course of five years.