Gilmer County DUI Lawyer

If you or a loved one has been charged with DUI, contact our lawyers today. For more than 25 years, our lawyers have been defending people charged with with DUI in Gilmer County. We understand the consequences you are facing and are prepared to protect your rights. Call us for a free case evaluation.

First DUI Charge in Gilmer County

If you have been arrested for DUI in Gilmer County and have no prior record, you face serious penalties which can cause significant disruptions in your life. Georgia law enforcement officials are cracking down to make sure anyone caught receives sufficient punishment to prevent subsequent DUIs. A first time Georgia DUI offender can face a minimum of 24 hours in jail and a maximum of 12 months in jail. However, most of the time a judge will allow a first time DUI offender to complete their jail sentence on probation. While this seems ideal, probation comes with a lot of conditions and responsibilities. Probation can also be costly with the monthly supervision fees.

Common punishments for a first DUI in Georgia can include:

• 12 months of probation
• Alcohol and Drug counseling
• 40 hours of community service
• Fines between $300-$1,000
• 1-10 days in jail
• License suspension
• DUI School

Remember, these are punishments only if you are convicted. There are lots of Georgia DUI defenses our Gilmer County DUI lawyers can use to defend your case. No matter the particulars of your case, there are many potential defenses to your DUI charge.

Community Service and DUI Cases

A standard consequence for a DUI conviction is court-ordered community service. Many people have an organization in mind that they think they can do the community service through but they fail to check whether the court has approved the organization! Courts require that the community service be done at a non-profit organization. Some courts do accept community service hours performed at your school or church, but other courts do not give credit. That is why it is critical to clear your desired location with the court or your probation officer before starting. Most courts will provide you with a list of approved locations to complete the community service.

When beginning community service (after you have cleared the organization with the court), let the organization know that have court-ordered service hours to complete and you must provide information on the nature of the offense. In Georgia, the organization does have the right to deny you. Furthermore, ask the organization before you start if they will be willing to write a letter to the court verifying what you did them. This needs to be done on their letterhead. If they are unwilling to do this, then you should find another organization to serve at.

Once you have been approved and start completing your houses, make sure to carefully document all of the hours. You will have to provide a record to the court demonstrating that you have completed your community service hour requirement. Some organizations have a volunteer log and, if so, you should also fill that out.

Please note that we often encourage our clients to complete their community service hours before going to court. Having it completed before the hearing allows us to argue for a lesser punishment or a plea bargain because we have negotiating leverage with the prosecutor. After practicing DUI law exclusively for the past 25 years, our Gilmer County DUI Lawyers know what places each court will accept for community service

Gilmer County Superior Court

Gilmer County Superior Court has jurisdiction over felony DUI cases. In addition, if your case began in Probate Court or Municipal Court, and you request a jury trial, your case will be transferred to Gilmer County Superior Court. The Court is located at 1 Broad Street, Ellijay, GA 30540. Ms. Amy Johnson is the Superior Court Clerk and she can be reached at 706-635-4462.

Gilmer County Probate Court

Gilmer County Probate Court hears DUI cases that occur within the unincorporated parts of Gilmer County. The Honorable Judge Scott Chastain presides over the Probate Court. The Court is located at 1 Broad Street, Suite 204, Ellijay, GA 30540 and can be reached at 706-635-4763.

East Ellijay DUI Municipal Court

East Ellijay Municipal Court has jurisdiction over cases involving local ordinance violations, traffic offenses, and other misdemeanors, including DUI and shoplifting, that occur within East Ellijay Municipal Court. The Honorable Judge Robert Sneed presides over the Court. Court is held at 107 East Oak Street, East Ellijay, GA 30539. For more information, call 706-276-3111.

Ellijay DUI Municipal Court

If you were charged with DUI within Ellijay city limits, your case will proceed in Ellijay Municipal Court. The Court is located at 197 North Main Street, Ellijay, GA 30540. Judge Robert Sneed presides over the Court. If you need assistance, call 706-635-4711.

Contact Our DUI Attorneys in Gilmer County Today

Georgia DUI cases are rarely hopeless! Many people make the mistake of thinking that they have no options and they should just plead guilty. This is not the case! Fighting a DUI case almost always makes more sense than simply pleading guilty. Our Gilmer County DUI Lawyers are here to help you fight! Contact us today for a free case evaluation.