Norcross DUI Attorneys

Our Norcross DUI attorneys provide the strong legal defense you need when facing DUI charges in Gwinnett County.

Having even one or two drinks, or taking any type of medication, and then getting behind the wheel is a bad idea. While you may not feel any obvious effects, it can seriously impact your driving ability. This endangers you, your passengers, and others on the road. It could also result in being pulled over by police. You can be charged with DUI for driving drunk or under the influence of other drugs.

In Georgia, it is illegal to drive any moving vehicle while:

1. Under the influence of alcohol to the extent that it is less safe for the person to drive;
2. Under the influence of any drug;
3. Under the intentional influence of any glue, aerosol, or other toxic vapor;
4. Under the combined influence of any two or more;
5. When the person’s blood alcohol concentration (BAC) is 0.08 grams or more;
6. Under the influence of any illegal drug;
7. In control of a commercial motor vehicle while the person’s alcohol concentration is 04 grams or more; and
8. Under the age of 21 and the person’s alcohol concentration is 02 grams or more.

If you are charged with DUI, you can fight the charge to potentially have it dropped or reduced with the aid of an experienced DUI defense lawyer.

Georgia Takes a Tough Stance on Drunk Driving

Drunk driving is one of the leading causes of car accidents. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), 28 people die in DUI-related car accidents each day while thousands of other drivers and passengers suffer serious personal injuries. The following are the impacts that even minor amounts of alcohol (or medication) can have on your driving abilities:

• Impaired judgment, making you more likely to get behind the wheel;
• Decreased vision, making it harder to see other drivers on the road;
• Diminished coordination, making it harder to perform the multiple tasks associated with driving;
• Reduced reflexes, making you less able to respond to sudden changes in road and traffic conditions.

As Georgia has one of the highest drunk driving accident rates in the country, local law enforcement officials are aggressive in their efforts at apprehending suspected DUI offenders. Prosecutors work diligently to make sure charges stick to those charged with DUI. To protect yourself in this situation, you need an experienced Norcross DUI attorney on your side.

DUI Charges and Penalties in Georgia

In Georgia, there are different degrees of DUI charges, depending on the exact circumstances and the amount of alcohol in your system at the time of a traffic stop. A DUI charge for driving with a BAC at or above 0.08% is known as a DUI per se. Driving while impaired, but not necessarily beyond the legal BAC limit, is known as a DUI less safe. The penalties for both types of DUI charge are the same.

The penalties that a driver faces for a DUI charge depend on a few factors. These factors include whether the driver was underage at the time of the arrest and whether they have previous DUI convictions on their record. Penalties for a DUI conviction include:

• Fines;
• Jail time;
• Probation:
• Driver’s license suspension;
• Completion of a Drug & Alcohol Evaluation;
• Completion of a DUI Risk Reduction Course;
• Community service;
• Photo publication & tag surrender; and
• Installation of an ignition interlock device on the driver’s vehicle.

These penalties increase if you have any prior DUI convictions. If you are pulled over by police or charged with a DUI in Gwinnett County, contact Zimmerman & Associates right away.

Refusing to Take a Breath or Blood Test in Georgia and Other DUI Defenses

The Georgia Department of Driver Services reports that close to 800 people are charged with DUI in Gwinnett County each year. Nearly the same amount of people are pulled over on suspected DUI, but refuse to take a breath or blood test. Should you consent to a breathalyzer during a DUI traffic stop?

It is important to be aware that not consenting to a breath or blood test could result in a one-year administrative suspension of your driver’s license, meaning an automatic loss of driving privileges. Conversely, however, if you refuse to submit to a breath or blood test, you will be robbing police and prosecutors of important evidence in your case. While you will still be arrested and charged, not consenting to a breath or blood test can make it that much harder to obtain a conviction.

Even if you did consent, and your results showed a BAC over the legal limit, there are other legal defenses our experienced Norcross DUI attorneys can employ on your behalf. These include:

• Disputing whether the officer had legal cause to pull you over;
• Asserting that procedures following during the stop or in your arrest violated your civil rights, or were done improperly;
• Questioning the accuracy of breathalyzer results (breathalyzer machines can malfunction) and how this evidence was handled.

Fighting a DUI Charge

There are a few different strategies you can potentially employ to fight your DUI charge. Your lawyer will advise you about your rights and legal options when you are facing a DUI. The most effective defense strategy for your case depends on the circumstances surrounding it.

When you are convicted of DUI, your lawyer can help you negotiate an arrangement that makes it more manageable. They can help you alter your DUI’s terms depending on a few factors like the nature of your offense, your age, and the hardships you are facing. Your lawyer can potentially help you:

• Obtain a limited driving permit;
• Negotiate your sentence and the terms of your probation; and
• When your license suspension is over, your lawyer can help you get your driver’s license reinstated.

Work with an Experienced Gwinnett County DUI Defense Lawyer

If you are facing a DUI charge, start working on your legal defense strategy with an experienced DUI defense lawyer as soon as possible. The sooner you start developing an effective defense strategy, the better chance you will have of having your charge dismissed or reduced. Contact Zimmerman & Associates today to schedule your free legal consultation in our office.