Augusta, Georgia, DUI Defense Attorney

Last updated on April 30, 2026

A DUI arrest can suddenly happen to someone even when they do not realize that they are over the limit. If you are charged with DUI or DWI, you have the right to challenge the evidence presented against you and the underlying charges. At Claridge Law Firm LLC, our DUI attorneys in Richmond County, Georgia, have extensive experience defending clients against drunk driving and DUI charges. We will begin an immediate investigation into your case to effectively assert your rights, minimize penalties and protect your freedom.

You have the right to challenge the evidence presented against you, actions taken by law enforcement officers and the cause for your stop. To learn more about DUI defense, please contact Claridge Law Firm LLC for a consultation.

How Is Drunk Driving Charged In Georgia?

Is DUI considered a felony? This is one of the first questions our attorneys are asked by many prospective clients. The answer is that while most DUI offenses are considered to be misdemeanors, some can be charged as felonies. If you were to be charged with a fourth offense in ten years, for instance, it would be considered a felony.

It is important to note that misdemeanor charges are not trivial matters. They can threaten your freedom, including the freedom of travel that comes with having a license. A DUI conviction can lead to serious penalties, including license suspension, significant fines, and even jail time.

We Know How To Challenge The Evidence

Whether you are charged with a first-time drunk driving offense or as a repeat offender, you need an aggressive defense to protect your rights and freedom and navigate the criminal justice system. Our attorneys know how to beat a DUI in Georgia when such an outcome is possible. They can help you challenge evidence such as:

• Police reports and witness statements
• Field sobriety tests
• Breathalyzer and blood tests
• The legality of the traffic stop (an officer must have reasonable suspicion to pull you over)

We will also challenge their methods of testing your blood alcohol content (BAC), including Breathalyzer tests, to ensure accuracy. An officer must be specially trained to operate the Breathalyzer equipment and the tools must be properly calibrated. When evidence is improperly obtained or potentially inaccurate, you may be able to challenge the admission of specific evidence and even get your charges dropped.

If contacted early after arrest, our lawyers can sometimes get a DUI dismissed or have charges reduced based on the weakness of the evidence. At the very least, we can begin building a robust defense strategy.

Penalties For A Georgia DUI Conviction

Georgia DUI penalties increase with each conviction within a 10-year lookback period.

First-Offense DUI Penalties

A first DUI has the following consequences:

• Jail time ranging from 24 hours up to 12 months, with at least 24 hours required unless credited as time served
• Fines between $300 and $1,000
• License suspension of up to 12 months, with possible reinstatement after 120 days
• Mandatory DUI alcohol or drug use risk reduction program
• At least 40 hours of community service

Working with a Georgia DUI lawyer can be essential to minimizing their impact.

Second-Offense DUI Penalties

Penalties can include:

• Mandatory jail time of at least 72 hours, up to 12 months
• Fines from $600 to $1,000
• Three-year license suspension, with limited reinstatement options
• Mandatory clinical evaluation and treatment
• Publication of the offender’s photo in the local newspaper

At this stage, guidance from an experienced Georgia DUI defense attorney is vital.

Third-Offense DUI Penalties

A third DUI within 10 years can lead to:

• Minimum 15 days in jail, up to 12 months
• Fines between $1,000 and $5,000
• Five-year license revocation, with possible reinstatement after two years
• Vehicle registration suspension
• Habitual violator designation

Because of the long-term consequences, it is crucial to have legal representation.

Fourth-Offense (And Subsequent) DUI Penalties

A fourth DUI within 10 years is a felony in Georgia. A conviction can result in:

• One to five years in prison
• Fines up to $5,000
• Five-year license revocation
• Mandatory ignition interlock if driving privileges are restored

At this level, retaining a Georgia felony DUI lawyer is vital.

Licensing Issues And Administrative Hearings

If you are arrested or charged with DUI, you will have the additional challenge of dealing with administrative and license issues. Our attorneys will effectively assert your rights to protect your driving privileges after you have been arrested for DUI. We can also help you obtain a license reinstatement after a revocation or a limited license for driving to work or school.

FAQs: Georgia DUI Cases

Questions and concerns are natural after a DUI arrest. The answers to these questions can offer clarity.

Will my employer find out about my DUI arrest?

A DUI arrest becomes part of the public record. Employers may discover it through background checks, license monitoring or if driving is required for the job.

This is my first time ever being arrested. Will I actually have to go to jail?

While jail is legally possible for a first DUI, outcomes vary based on facts, blood alcohol level and legal strategy.
A qualified Georgia DUI attorney can pursue alternatives, reductions, or dismissals where available, protecting freedom and future opportunities.

Can I refuse a field sobriety test in Georgia? What are the consequences?

Yes, field sobriety tests are voluntary in Georgia. You may legally refuse to perform them without facing automatic license suspension. However, you may still face arrest due to other factors such as erratic driving, slurred speech or the smell of alcohol.

Field sobriety tests are often subjective and can be challenged in court. While refusing may limit the evidence against you, it does not prevent charges. A defense attorney can evaluate the circumstances and challenge the officer’s observations and procedures.

Do I have to take a breathalyzer or blood test in Georgia? What happens if I refuse?

Georgia law requires drivers to submit to chemical testing if arrested for DUI. Refusing a blood test or breathalyzer triggers an automatic one-year license suspension with no limited permit available.

Refusal may also be used against you in court. Prosecutors often argue that refusal indicates an attempt to hide impairment, requiring a strong defense to refute.

What is Georgia’s implied consent law, and how does it affect my DUI case?

Georgia’s implied consent law means that by driving in the state, you have already agreed to chemical testing if you are arrested on DUI charges. A refusal results in immediate license suspension and may be used as evidence against you in court.

You have only 30 days from the arrest date to request a hearing or apply for an ignition interlock permit. We act quickly on your behalf to challenge the legality of the stop, the procedures used and the evidence presented. Timely action is essential to preserving your driving privileges and building a strong DUI defense.

What is the “10-day rule” regarding my driver’s license after a DUI arrest in Georgia?

Georgia’s former 10-day rule has been replaced by a 30-day deadline. You must act within 30 days to avoid automatic license suspension. Prompt action on your part is critical to protecting your ability to drive.

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