2024 How Long Does a DUI Stay on Your Record in Georgia?

A DUI conviction has the potential to cause serious repercussions throughout your entire life. It can impact your professional reputation, hurt your personal relationships, hike your insurance rates, and even cause you to lose out on housing options. While hiring an experienced DUI lawyer can help your case look more optimistic, it is important to understand the impact that a conviction can have. If you’ve been arrested for drinking and driving, you are likely wondering, “How long does a DUI stay on your record in Georgia?”

How Long Does a DUI Stay on Your Record in Georgia?

A DUI will stay on your criminal record in Georgia for the rest of your life. There is very little you can do after a DUI conviction. Regardless of the penalty you face, the conviction stays with you forever. It will be there on background checks for job interviews, it will affect your car insurance rates, and it will give you a criminal record. While there are possibilities for having the record sealed or expunged, that may not be a viable solution.

There are simply no guarantees when facing a DUI charge. Georgia takes these cases very seriously and makes sure that you suffer lifelong consequences for your mistake if convicted. Still, it is recommended that you hire a DUI lawyer to help you challenge the charge made against you. A skilled attorney can possibly get your charges reduced or even dismissed by using a viable defense strategy.

Possible Defenses Against a DUI in Georgia

When you are arrested for a DUI and placed in the back of a police car, that may be the moment when everything suddenly becomes real. You may feel like everything is about to collapse and you are out of options before you even start fighting. That may not be true, and you should reach out to a lawyer before you start panicking about your chances.

The police may test you. Don’t say a word to them, no matter how much they may try to intimidate or manipulate you. Wait for your lawyer and build a defense, such as one of these:

• Reasonable Suspicion: In Georgia, a traffic stop is only considered legal if the arresting officer has a certain degree of reasonable suspicion that a crime is being committed. There are any number of erratic behaviors that can be counted as reasonable suspicion and give an officer cause to pull you over, such as making wide turns and swerving. If the officer pulls you over based solely on a hunch, their argument may not be strong enough to convict you.
• You Weren’t Driving: When police arrest you on suspicion of driving while intoxicated, they must prove that you were actually driving the car. If all they saw was you sleeping in the backseat while parked on the shoulder, that’s not enough to establish that you committed a DUI. If your lawyer goes after the validity of the arrest and the circumstances that led to it, the police may have to prove that you were driving, which can be difficult.
• Sobriety Test: Often, the most effective bit of evidence that the prosecution has against you is the result of your field sobriety tests. However, these tests are far from infallible. They are often administered by officers who are not properly trained on how to give them, which can lead to wildly inaccurate results. If your lawyer goes after the integrity of the tests, it could lead to them being dropped as valid evidence.

FAQs

Q: Can You Get a DUI Off Your Record in Georgia?

A: No, you cannot get a DUI off your criminal record in Georgia. Once you are convicted, it stays on your record for good. You cannot get it expunged. If your case ends up being dismissed, you could get the charge removed from your record. You may also be able to apply for a restriction, which will limit the number of people who are allowed to access your criminal record. Whether you’ll get it depends on your case.

Q: What Is the Penalty for a DUI in Georgia?

A: The penalties you will face for a DUI conviction in Georgia are dependent on the details of your case, your past criminal history, and whether there are aggravating factors in your case. Generally, the penalty for a first-offense DUI in Georgia is several days in jail and a fine. However, the conviction will still be permanently on your criminal record.

Q: How Long Does a DUI Stay on Your Record in Georgia for Insurance?

A: A DUI in Georgia stays on your record for insurance for at least three years, depending on the details of your case and the insurance carrier you are with. Some insurance companies will keep your rates increased for 10 years due to your DUI conviction. Other companies may cancel your policy outright or refuse to renew it. If your DUI was particularly devastating, your rates may never stop being affected.

Q: What Is the Look-Back Period for a DUI in Georgia?

A: Georgia’s look-back period for a DUI is generally 10 years. This means that if you are ever convicted of a second DUI within 10 years of the previous DUI, you may face considerably harsher penalties, including larger fines and more jail time. Additionally, the court will consider the severity of your DUI and how many DUIs you have had. Four or more is considered a felony offense.

Reach Out to a DUI Lawyer Today

Facing DUI charges is never easy. Knowing that the conviction will stay with you for life can make it harder. If you are facing a DUI charge, you should immediately reach out to an experienced DUI lawyer and start building a viable defense strategy. After all, having someone in your corner who understands the complexities of the law can only improve the strength of your defense.

Jarrett Maillet J.D., P.C., can fight your DUI charges by developing your case, building a defense strategy, and making sure that you aren’t taken advantage of by law enforcement. Contact us to schedule a consultation as soon as you can.