Fighting Georgia DUI Charges

If you have been arrested for a DUI then you have two main options. You can choose to agree to the terms and conditions and accept the conviction or you can choose to fight it. Fighting Georgia DUI charges is always a smart decision as there are several different reasons why your DUI arrest may not be justified. Any chance is better than nothing when it comes to facing a DUI conviction.

However, don’t leave it too late. You only have ten days to challenge a charge. If you do not challenge the charge and choose to accept the DUI arrest then you will be convicted.  If you are worried about what this means for your future, then contact Tom Barton today. Tom Barton is an experienced Henry DUI defense lawyer that can explain what this criminal offense means for your future and determine your best chance of walking away free and clear.

What Is At Stake?

Expecting a warning letter and a possible $80 fine? Think again. If you let this one slide rather than fighting it, then you will be looking at:

• License Suspension: even if this is your first offense you could be faced with a license suspension of 12 months. This means you will not be able to drive for an entire year. If you have been convicted in the past, then you can expect even longer license revocation. One full year of not driving is a long time and can serious financial, family and employment issues.

• Possible Prison Time: even a first time offender can face prison time. You could be looking at anywhere from 20 hours to 5 years in jail depending on how many DUI convictions you have had in the past.

• Fines: unfortunately, an $80 fine is not going to happen. A minimum fine of $300 applies to first time offenders but you could be looking at a fine up to $1000 or even more if this is not your first offense.

• Criminal Conviction: having a DUI conviction means that this black mark will be on your permanent record. Many employees, government agencies, schools and loan companies will access your record as part of their general screening process. While being arrested and convicted of a DUI does not automatically make you a bad person, it can mean the difference between getting a job and being shortlisted. This is also the case when applying for schools and even when applying for a rental house.

Having someone that understands the laws surrounding drinking and driving will ensure that you have the best defense possible. Faulty breath and urine tests, illegal search and seizure and improper police protocol are just two of the defense strategies that may work in your situation.

Hiring a highly trained DUI attorney can ensure that you:

• Have the best chance to walk away free and clear
• If this is not possible, Tom Barton will fight for minimal sentencing and reduced charges
• Are able to focus on other aspects of your life rather than this DUI charge
• Are giving yourself the best chance to start over.