Tunnel Hill DUI Lawyer
If you have been charged with DUI in Tunnel Hill, contacting our experienced DUI lawyers is the best step you can take! Our DUI Attorneys in Tunnel Hill have dedicated their lives to defending those charged with DUI. We know how a DUI conviction can upend a person's life and want to help you avoid the severe consequences. Whether court is tomorrow or you were just arrested, we can help you! Call now for a free case evaluation.
DUI Arrests and License Suspensions in Tunnel Hill
One of the first questions our Tunnel Hill DUI Lawyers are asked when clients call us is if they are going to lose their driver's license, and for how long. Unfortunately, in any case where the driver is suspected of and arrested for DUI in Georgia, there is the possibility of an administrative suspension of your driver's license and a suspension if the driver is convicted of the DUI.
In cases where the driver submitted to a test and the results indicated an alcohol concentration of .08, the driver is facing a minimum of a 30-day administrative license suspension and if convicted at trial a suspension based upon the number of prior DUI convictions. If you did submit to the State test, you will be able to get a limited use driving permit during the suspension period and you will be eligible for early reinstatement after only 30 days if you attend DUI school.
If you refused testing, you face a 12-month hard administrative suspension of their driver's license. A hard suspension means the driver is not eligible for a restricted license or limited permit. In addition, the driver will suffer a suspension if convicted. However, any administrative suspension period served will count towards any future suspension if you are later convicted of the underlying DUI charge.
Drivers are never automatically reinstated after a suspension. At a minimum a person cannot reinstate their license until they have attended a Risk Reduction Course (DUI School) and pay a reinstatement fee.
If you are 21 years old or older, you can apply for a limited use driving permit for the duration of the license suspension that will allow you to drive to work, school, substance abuse counseling, DUI School, for medical care and treatment purposes, to pharmacies to drop off or pick up prescriptions, court appearances, probation appointments, and community service. If your license has been administratively suspended, due to an implied consent refusal, you will not be eligible for a limited driving permit or early reinstatement.
For drivers under the age of 21 who are convicted of DUI, if your blood alcohol concentration was less that 0.08 grams percent, the test results were suppressed, or if you refused to submit to the State-administered breath test, the license suspension period is 6 months. If your BAC was 0.08 grams or more, the license suspension period is 12 months. No limited use driving permit or early reinstatement is available to any driver under the age of 21.
The license consequence for a second DUI conviction within 5 years is a 3 year suspension. No limited permit is available for the first 120 days. A limited permit may be granted after 120 days, but is conditioned upon the installation of an ignition interlock device for a minimum period of 1 year. In order to apply for an ignition interlock device limited permit you will have to present a certificate of eligibility from a DUI court program or proof of enrollment in substance abuse treatment. A clinical evaluation must be completed prior to enrolling in a treatment program.
The license consequence for a third conviction within 5 years is a 5-year license revocation. You will also be declared a habitual violator. After 2 years, you can apply for a probationary license to use for the remaining 3-year revocation period that may have restrictions as to the places, routes, and times you are allowed to travel. If you violate the terms of your probationary license, it will be revoked and you cannot reapply for a regular driver's license until the original 5 year revocation period has ended or for 2 years – whichever is greater. During the probationary license period, you will have to install an ignition interlock device.
In all of these situations, it is in your benefit to hire a Tunnel Hill DUI Attorney. We understand the penalties you are facing and can advise you on how to avoid these suspensions!
Tunnel Hill Municipal Court
Tunnel Hill Municipal Court handles DUI cases that occur within Tunnel Hill city limits. The Court is located at 210 G. Vaughn Parkway, Tunnel Hill, GA 30755. For more information, call 706-673-5535.
Contact Our DUI Attorneys in Tunnel Hill Today
It is completely normal to feel overwhelmed after a DUI arrest. It is also understandable to be worried about a license suspension. Being able to drive is a necessity for most of the population and without a license, everyday life can be much more complicated. If you are worried about how a DUI conviction will affect your life, contact our Tunnel Hill DUI Lawyers. We will fight for you every step of the way!