What are the penalties for a first DUI in Georgia?

GA DUI laws for first time DUI offenses include fines from $300.00 to $1,000.00, a minimum of 10 days jail time to a maximum of 12 months. The judge can suspend, stay or probate your jail sentence after you serve at least 24 hours jail time if your BAC is .08% or under. Your driver's license will be suspended for 12 months. You must also complete a minimum 40 hours community service, unless your BAC was under .08%, then the community service can be reduced to between 20 hours and 40 hours in the judge's discretion. Completion of the Georgia Risk Reduction Program is mandatory for all DUI convictions. You also face probation of up to 12 months, including time served. The fee to reinstate your license is $210.00. A BAC of .08% or higher is considered an automatic DUI in Georgia. If a police officer pulls you over for suspected drunk driving or driving under the influence of drugs and you refuse to take a BAC test, your license will automatically be suspended under the Georgia Administrative License Suspension Law for 12 months. You are allowed to take a Georgia DUI/Defensive Driver's Course once every 5 years, to help reduce points accumulated against your license. Completion of the course may also entitle you to a discount on your insurance premiums. To find out how many points have accumulated on your driving record, you can order a report from the Georgia Department of Driver's Services. 

GA DUI laws for first offenses are serious. You face fines, driver's license penalty points, suspension of your license, jail time,  community service and mandatory completion of the Georgia Risk Reduction Program when you are convicted for a DUI first offense in Georgia. If you are arrested for a DUI, you should contact a Georgia criminal defense attorney immediately to defend you. The attorney is an expert at Georgia DUI laws, and can represent you in court.