Blood and Breath Test Refusals

In Atlanta, police officers pull a large number of drivers over each week for DUI. After an Atlanta driver is stopped for driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs, the officer usually asks the driver a bunch of questions and to take some field sobriety tests. If the officer is dissatisfied with the driver's performance, he or she will usually want to conduct a chemical test of some type. This is a test of your blood, breath, or urine that measure the amount of alcohol in your system.

Before giving a test like this, the Atlanta police officer must read you what is known as the "Implied Consent" notice. Implied Consent basically means that by virtue of having driving privileges in Georgia, you have agreed to submit to a breathalyzer or blood test. If you decline such testing, it is called a Refusal. The consequence for a refusal is a one year suspension of your driver's license with no limited driving permit available. Not being able to drive for a year can be the worst aspect of a DUI for many people.