Marietta First-Time DUI Attorney

Even if you are being charged with a first offense, a DUI charge can have drastic consequences in your life, including potential jail time and the loss of your driving privileges. A successful outcome in your case can depend on whether you seek help from a first time DUI lawyer.

At Waid Law Firm, LLC, Our mission is to provide diligent legal representation in an understanding and compassionate manner. Attorney Addison Waid has experience on both sides of the criminal justice system, which gives him a unique perspective in knowing how a prosecutor may view your case. When you hire us for your case, you will always receive transparent communication and upfront information about legal fees.

Waid Law Firm is located at 399 Washington Ave NE, Marietta, GA 30060. Call us today at 470-458-9866 To speak with a Marietta first-time DUI defense attorney during a free initial consultation.

Recent Google Review

We will always be deeply involved in your case at every stage, making sure to keep you informed. Client Latasha Gerst writes: Best Attorney in the state. “Very reliable and on top of his cases. Never been more satisfied. Thank you for all of your hard work.”

What Is First-Time DUI in Georgia?

In general, DUI in Georgia involves cases in which you are alleged to have operated a motor vehicle under the influence of alcohol or drugs. If you are over the age of 21, you are presumed to have been driving under the Influence if your blood alcohol content is greater than 08. For drivers under the age of 21, the legal limit is 02. However, you can also be charged with DUI for alcohol under those amounts if the police officer believes that you were under the influence of alcohol in a manner that made it unsafe to drive.

A first-time DUI case means that you have not been previously convicted of the offense or pleaded no contest to DUI charges within the preceding ten years.

How Is First-Time DUI Proven?

Law enforcement has a number of ways that they can prove that a driver was under the influence, including the following:

• The results of a field sobriety test administered by the officer at the time of the traffic stop
• The observations made by the officer at the time of a traffic stop, such as the odor of alcohol or drugs
• Chemical test evidence if blood was drawn from you (which is often the case when a driver has refused a breathalyzer test, and the officer has established probable cause to a magistrate)
• The results of a breathalyzer test that was administered by the officer at the time of the traffic stop
• Testimony about how you were driving your car prior to the traffic stop

Penalties for First-Time DUI in Georgia

A conviction in a typical DUI case can lead to the following penalties:

• Ten days to twelve months in jail (The judge has the ability to suspend the sentence, but a defendant must spend at least 24 hours in jail if their blood alcohol content is greater than .08)
• A twelve-month suspension of your driving privileges, although you may be able to continue driving if you agree to install an ignition interlock device
• Probation of up to twelve months, minus any time that you were incarcerated
• A fine of $300 to $1,000

Unlike other states, Georgia law does not automatically increase penalties for a much higher BAC, but it can certainly affect sentencing and the plea deal that the prosecutor is willing to offer.

There are instances in which a first-time DUI conviction can result in a greater sentence, and they include:

• When someone else has suffered a serious injury as a result of the DUI
• The DUI resulted in a death
• When a child was in the car at the time of the traffic stop

The first two instances are charged as felonies, while the third is charged as an enhanced misdemeanor with a greater penalty.

Defenses to DUI Charges

Even though many first-time DUI cases result in a plea bargain with the prosecutor, you are not required to plead guilty if you believe that you have viable defenses. We will review your case and help determine whether there is a means to fight the charges against you. In a first-time DUI case, you may use the following defenses:

• The officer lacked the required Reasonable Suspicion to make the traffic stop in the first place
• There was no probable cause to arrest you
• The chemical evidence being used against you is faulty, or it did not have the required chain of custody
• The breathalyzer machine that took the reading was flawed or not properly calibrated
• Your constitutional rights were otherwise violated

What to Do When You Have Been Charged with DUI

The first thing that you should do if you have been charged with DUI is to contact a Marietta first-time DUI defense attorney. They can help you get an early start on dealing with the charges against you. A lawyer will also help you avoid making mistakes, such as talking to law enforcement when you do not have to or accepting an early plea bargain. You should never view a first-time DUI charge as low risk and delay dealing with the charges against you.

Contact a Marietta First-Time DUI Defense Lawyer

Learn how we can help you address the DUI charges that have been filed against you by scheduling a free initial consultation with Waid Law Firm, LLC. You can speak directly with Addison Waid by making an appointment through our website or by calling us today at 470-458-9866.