Savannah Multiple DUI Lawyer

Savannah Multiple DUI Attorney

Choosing to drive drunk can have a terribly negative effect on the rest of your life. If you are pulled over, charged, and convicted, you could face severe legal penalties that you may not be prepared to deal with. A DUI can give you a criminal record, affecting your employment options, your housing situation, your social standing, and even your personal relationships. If you are facing multiple DUI charges, you should contact a Savannah multiple DUI lawyer.

The legal team at Jarrett Maillet J.D., P.C. can assist you in defending yourself against multiple DUI offenses. The penalties for a single DUI offense can be rough enough. Things can get even more difficult to deal with if you are facing multiple DUI charges, such as a Second DUI, Under 21 DUI, or even an Out of State DUI. Felony DUI charges can lead to increased jail time, permanent license suspension, and more. It’s important that you go into this with a level head and the right people in your corner. It starts with hiring the right DUI lawyer.

Getting Pulled Over for a DUI in Georgia

When you are pulled over on suspicion of drunk driving in Savannah, it doesn’t take much for the police to realize your situation. Georgia Code § 40-6-391 states that any driver who is pulled over and found to have a blood alcohol concentration (BAC) of 0.08% or higher will be considered over the legal limit and arrested for drunk driving.

Being arrested can make you feel defeated and like you have no options to defend yourself. That’s not true. Contact a lawyer as soon as you can.

When you are pulled over, it is important that you obey the police immediately. Pull over to the side of the road if you hear sirens behind you. Do not take off and lead the police on a chase. If asked to take a breathalyzer test, you can refuse, but not without severe penalties. Your license will be suspended, and your refusal can be used as evidence against you in court.

When you are arrested, it is vital to your case that you say nothing to the police. Remember that you are always innocent until proven guilty, regardless of the crime you are being charged with. You are afforded a number of constitutional rights that cannot be infringed upon. Exercise these rights immediately, particularly your right to remain silent and your right to retain legal counsel. Once you contact your lawyer, they can help you devise a legal strategy.

Multiple DUIs in Georgia

Every DUI is taken seriously in Georgia, but repeat offenders often face significantly worse repercussions. If you are facing your DUI with injury or a second DUI within 10 years of the first, you could be looking at penalties such as a year in jail, up to $1,000 in fines, 12 months of probation, a three-year suspension of your license, an ignition interlock device installed in your car, and so much more.

If you are facing your third DUI in 10 years, the penalties increase. The DUI penalties include a year in jail, $5,000 in fines, a five-year suspension of your license, the ignition interlock device, and mandatory alcohol treatment programs.

Upon your fourth DUI in 10 years, you may automatically be facing felony charges that could result in five years in jail alongside $5,000 in fines, a 10-year license suspension, and several other potential penalties.

In 2024, in Chatham County, there were a total of 137 license suspensions resulting from DUI arrests, 423 arrests of DUI first offenders, and 52 arrests of DUI second offenders. If you are looking at DUI charges, you may want to consider reaching out to your lawyer for additional assistance in finding a local program to help you resolve your situation.

In Savannah, Alcoholics Anonymous of Georgia meets at First Presbyterian Church and online, among other locations. Groups such as this often help individuals work through their issues and better themselves.

FAQs

Q: How Much Does a DUI Lawyer Cost in Georgia?

A: There is no telling how much a DUI lawyer might cost in Georgia. Every DUI case is different, with every case having its own details and circumstances that influence the overall cost of the DUI case in Georgia, including your lawyer’s fee. Ultimately, your lawyer’s fee will largely depend on the difficulty of your case, as well as their experience and education.

Q: What Is the Law on Multiple DUIs in Georgia?

A: In Georgia, the law on multiple DUIs is very clear. The more DUI convictions you have, the harsher the penalties will become for each subsequent conviction. If you are convicted of multiple DUIs over a span of several years, you could be looking at longer jail sentences, heftier fines, longer license suspensions or revocation, and even felony charges if you are convicted of four DUIs.

Q: What Happens After Four DUIs in Georgia?

A: If you are convicted of four DUIs in Georgia within 10 years, you will likely be charged with a felony. That means mandatory jail time between 90 days and five years, fines of up to $5,000, probation for five years, a 10-year revocation of your driver’s license, and other penalties like community service and a treatment program.

Q: Do You Need a Lawyer for a DUI Charge?

A: It is highly recommended that you hire an experienced lawyer to represent you in a DUI case. A good lawyer can help you work out a potential legal strategy to get a favorable outcome in your case. The last thing you want is to be unprepared when you are facing legal trouble.

Contact a DUI Lawyer Today

Dealing with a DUI charge is already bad enough. If this is your second, third, or fourth offense, you are going to want to hire an experienced DUI lawyer to help you build a sound defense, working to reduce or drop your charges.

The legal team at Jarrett Maillet J.D., P.C. can help you build a solid defense strategy. We can develop your case, gather evidence, and protect your interests. Contact us to speak to a team member about your case.