Atlanta DUI Attorney

Defending Your Rights After Being Arrested for A DUI in Fulton County

DUI, or driving under the influence, is a criminal offense that involves operating a motor vehicle with an unlawful amount of alcohol in one’s system or while one’s impaired abilities are by alcohol or drugs. ​

While a first-time DUI offender may avoid jail altogether or may only serve a short time behind bars, there are fines and other consequences to consider.

A DUI conviction may also result in:

• Increased insurance rates
• The need for an ignition interlock device in one’s vehicle
• The loss of driving privileges for a year or more.

At Michael Moran & Associates, LLC, we help clients avoid all of the various consequences of DUI arrests and convictions. Our Atlanta DUI attorneys can handle criminal court proceedings and your administrative license suspension (ALS) hearing with the Georgia Department of Driver Services. We will fight to help you keep your license and avoid a conviction.

Ask Yourself, Do I Need a Lawyer for DUI in Georgia?

The answer is yes! You must consider a DUI lawyer in GA if you face DUI charges. Hiring an attorney can support you with keeping your license reduce the number of aching penalties for your record. In addition, a lawyer who's an expert with DUI cases can help you make all of these decisions.

You will face several harsh penalties placed under arrest for DUI in Georgia. A DUI arrest often means possible jail time, steep fines, classes, counseling sessions, and the suspension of your driver's license. The DUI Lawyers at Michael Moran & Associates, LLC are uniquely qualified to successfully investigate, defend, and win your Georgia DUI Case.

Georgia DUI Penalties

If you were under arrest for driving under the influence in Georgia, it is crucial to defend your rights because the consequences can be harsh. The penalties for a DUI conviction vary depending on the number of prior DUI convictions within a set time.

1st DUI in Georgia

If the conviction is your first DUI charge, you could face:

• Up to 1 year in jail
• Up to $1,000 in fines (minimum $300)
• Suspended license for up to 1 year
• Minimum 40 hours of community service

2nd DUI in Georgia​​​​​​

If the conviction is your second DUI charge, you could face:

• Up to 1 year in jail (48 hours mandatory)
• Up to $1,000 in fines ($600 minimum)
• Suspended license for 3 years
• 240 hours of community service
• Mandatory substance abuse counseling
• Possible Ignition Interlock Device

3rd DUI in Georgia

If the conviction is your third DUI charge, you could face:

• Up to 1 year in jail (15 days mandatory)
• Up to $5,000 in fines ($1,000 minimum)
• Suspended license for 5 years
• 240 hours of community service
• Substance abuse treatment
• Possible Ignition Interlock Device

At Michael Moran & Associates, LLC, our dedicated DUI lawyers in Atlanta understand that a DUI can have life-altering consequences. Therefore, we serve our clients by defending their rights to avoid a DUI conviction's various consequences.

Aggravated DUI Charges in Georgia

If your DUI charge is upgraded to an aggravated DUI charge you could face even harsher penalties. There are a variety of factors that could warrant an aggravated DUI charge including:

• DUI resulting in the death of another person
• DUI resulting in the injury of another person
• DUI with a child in the car

Georgia Implied Consent Law

When you sign for and receive your driver’s license, you give your consent to submit to chemical testing if you are arrested on suspicion of DUI. This is referred to as “implied consent” and is behind the license suspension associated with DUI arrests.

An unlawful blood alcohol concentration (BAC) of .08% or greater, or a refused breath or blood test, may result in license suspension under Georgia’s implied consent law.

Administrative License Suspension Hearing

You have a limited amount of time to request an administrative license suspension (ALS) hearing with the Georgia Department of Driver Services. You have 30 days from the date of your arrest, and failing to request a hearing within this time frame may result in the loss of your right to challenge the license suspension.

Make sure you call an Atlanta DUI lawyer as soon as possible if you’ve been arrested for driving under the influence. Early involvement by a skilled Atlanta DUI attorney can make all the difference in whether an effective defense can be mounted on your behalf.

Underage DUI Laws in Georgia

In Georgia, anyone under the age of 21 who is caught driving with any amount of alcohol in their system can be charged with DUI. This is because Georgia has a zero-tolerance policy when it comes to underage drinking and driving.

Here are some key things to know about underage DUI laws in Georgia:

• BAC Limit: The legal limit for drivers under 21 in Georgia is 0.02 percent BAC. This means that if a driver under 21 is caught with a BAC of 0.02 percent or higher, they can be charged with DUI.

• Penalties for Underage DUI: A conviction for an underage DUI can result in a fine between $300 and $1,000, driver’s license suspension for at least 6 months, and a jail sentence ranging from 24 hours to 12 months. The penalties for an underage DUI conviction in Georgia can also include community service and mandatory alcohol education or treatment programs.

• Other Consequences: In addition to the legal penalties for an underage DUI conviction, there can be other consequences as well. For example, a conviction can make it difficult to get into college or to find a job, and it can also affect auto insurance rates.

As a parent, is important for underage drivers in Georgia to understand the seriousness of DUI charges and to avoid drinking and driving. If you are facing an underage DUI charge in Georgia, it is a good idea to consult with our Atlanta DUI attorney to learn more about your options and how to defend your child in court.

Why Hire Moran & Associates, LLC?

The way we treat our clients. It is our goal to build straightforward and honest relationships with our clients, while offering them support when they need it. Taking on a limited number of cases ensures that every client gets the individualized service they deserve.

The way we handle our cases. Criminal defense and personal injury cases are handled with professionalism, integrity, and hard work. Knowing the law and how the system works allows us to anticipate the opposition's next move and provide better advice. We have built a reputation as dedicated lawyers who will do whatever it takes to represent a client’s best interests – inside or outside the courtroom.