What is DUI Court in Atlanta, Georgia?

DUI Court is a treatment program that is offered throughout the United States. There are more than 2,800 DUI courts across the county, with more being added all the time. These courts are specialized programs that combine alcohol and drug treatment with heightened court supervision. DUI Courts are designed to address the underlying substance abuse issues of the participants in an attempt to reduce the chances that the participants commit crimes like DUI in the future. 

If you are considering entering into DUI Court because you have been charged with a DUI in Atlanta, contact us now. DUI Court is a serious undertaking, and it is critical that you understand all the conditions that coincide with it. Our DUI Lawyers in Atlanta have over 50 combined years of experience. We have dedicated our practice to representing those charged with DUI and are here to help you evaluate your options. Call us now for a free no-obligation case evaluation.

Pros and Cons of DUI Court

There are things to consider when entering into DUI Court in Atlanta. While there are benefits, DUI Court can be difficult and should not be entered into without looking at all your options.

One of the benefits of DUI Court is that it can reduce recidivism. This means that DUI court can help make it less likely for the participant to commit another crime later. Additionally, DUI Court might include less jail time, lower fines, and a shorter time to get your driver's license reinstated.

Many people wrongly associate DUI Court with being on probation for DUI. When someone is on probation for DUI, there are conditions they must adhere to. They rarely report to the probation officer, and there's minimal contact with the court. However, with DUI Court, there is a whole team that monitors your progress. This team usually includes a judge, prosecutor, defense attorney, probation officer, and program coordinator. Additionally, there are lots of appointments that you are required to keep. These include treatment, court appearances, drug screens, and counseling.

One of the most important things to consider when entering into DUI Court is to understand that just one mistake can cause you to be removed from the program. DUI Court does not allow for missed appointments or rules to be broken. When these things happen, the court can issue sanctions, order more community service more classes, or more jail time. It is likely you will spend more time in jail than if you chose not to participate in DUI Court.

Fulton County DUI Court

DUI Court is ordered by Fulton County's State Court as a condition of probation. There are two different programs for Fulton County's DUI Court: an early intervention/hybrid program and a level 1 program. The early intervention program is a 30-week program where the participant must attend the program 3 times a week for the first 12 weeks. Then, participants can go onto the psycho-educational program that meets twice a week for 18 weeks. The level 1 program has 4 different 12-week phases for a maximum of 9 hours per week. During either treatment, urine drug screens and random breathalyzers will be required. On top of the other requirements, participants are required to attend a minimum of three 12-step meetings per week and obtain a sponsor.

Contact Us

If you have been charged with DUI in Atlanta, you need representation. DUI charges can have life-altering effects. While DUI Court in Atlanta may seem like the easy option, it comes with a lot of requirements and should not be entered into lightly. Contact us 24 hours a day, 7 days a week if you have questions about what to do in your case. We will help you sort through your options to make an informed decision. Call now.