The law imposes severe penalties on drunk drivers. A conviction for driving under the influence (DUI) can affect all aspects of your life, including:
- Your ability to drive a vehicle
- Your current and future employment
- Your freedom
- Your ability to secure a loan
When charged with a DUI, you will need the assistance of an experienced Atlanta criminal defense attorney who has the skills and experience to help you minimize the damage this mistake may cost you. The stakes are too high to go to court without the proper representation.
The Atlanta DUI attorney at Robbins & Associates, P.C. has handled many DUI claims. Our team has a strong understanding of the state laws that apply to your case, and we can help provide you with the greatest likelihood of a favorable outcome for your case.
Getting Stopped Under Suspicion of DUI
If you have been stopped under suspicion of driving under the influence (DUI), you may be issued a field sobriety test, or you may be asked to take a breathalyzer test. If you refuse to take the test, your license may be suspended.
If you do take the test and are found to be over the blood alcohol content (BAC) limit, 0.08, you may be convicted of a DUI. In addition, you may be charged if your BAC level is 0.05 or above and you were operating your vehicle in what the officer considered to be an unsafe manner. You will be arrested and your car may be towed and impounded.
Direct Consequences of Your DUI
There are a number of direct penalties that can arise from a DUI conviction. Your license will be suspended for a period of one to five years. You may be fined, put on probation, asked to perform community service, or may face jail time. You may be required to put a breathalyzer ignition interlock device on your car. The severity of your punishment depends on a number of circumstances including:
- Is this your first DUI?
- Did you have a child in the vehicle at the time?
- Were you guilty of a moving violation while driving under the influence?
- Did you cause an auto accident that resulted in the injury or wrongful death of another person?
- Did you have a valid driver’s license at the time of the offense?
- Were you of legal drinking age?
To minimize the consequences of your DUI, you need the help of an experienced DUI lawyer, who can put the circumstances of your DUI in the best possible light. At best, this can lead to a dismissal of the charge. However, even if that is not possible, an experienced DUI attorney can help ensure that you do not receive the maximum allowable penalty.
Indirect Consequences of Your DUI
DUI is today one of the mostly highly stigmatized crimes you may be charged with. As a result of your DUI arrest and conviction, you may face:
- Financial penalties such as increased insurance rates
- Penalties at work including mandatory random alcohol testing or termination
- Penalties in your community including being shunned from your social group or becoming the victim of damaging gossip
- Penalties at home including marital difficulties and poor standing in any subsequent divorce proceedings, including loss of custody of your children
If you have been charged with a DUI, our attorney at Robbins & Associates, P.C. can help you minimize many of these consequences so that you are not paying for this mistake for the rest of your life.
Please contact our experienced Atlanta, Georgia DUI defense lawyer today to schedule your free initial consultation.