Savannah DUI Lawyer

Not All DUI Charges Are the Same

It is true that many people charged with driving under the influence find themselves convicted. However, many does not mean all. It is important to remember that not all DUI charges are the same and neither are all DUI penalties. At The Lerch Law Firm, our experienced Savannah DUI attorney builds individually tailored DUI defense strategies. We know that each client and each case is truly unique.

Addressing Your DUI-Related Concerns

Thanks to her many years of experience as a Savannah DUI lawyer, our lead attorney knows the main concerns many people have when they find themselves in this situation. We know how worried they are about losing their driver's licenses, facing jail time, and having to pay expensive fines. As a result, we work diligently in an attempt to have their cases dismissed or their charges reduced.

What Are the Penalties for a DUI Conviction in Georgia?

If you are convicted of a DUI, the penalties will range in severity depending on whether you have any prior DUI convictions. It is vital that you have a knowledgeable DUI lawyer on your side who can combat these charges and defend your best interests.

For a first DUI conviction, the penalties can include any of the following:

• 12 months probation
• $300 fine (minimum)
• 1-10 days in jail
• Drivers License Suspension

The fines and jail time increase with each subsequent conviction, and can increase to as much as 1-5 years in prison and fines of $1,000-$5,000 for someone who has become a "habitual offender."

Evidence Is Key to Understanding Your Position

If you face a drunk driving charge in Georgia, it is important to remember that evidence is key. Until an attorney has reviewed the video of your traffic stop and the footage of your field sobriety test, it is impossible to know whether probable cause existed and whether the officer followed correct protocol.

In Georgia, a police officer can only pull you over if they have probable cause. This may include:

• Damage to your vehicle
• Erratic driving
• Speeding
• Texting while driving
• Failure to obey traffic laws

Even if your arresting officer followed official procedures during the stop, issues with your breath or blood test could exist that could result in the dismissal of your case.

Defenses Against DUI Charges

Here are some of the most commonly employed DUI defense strategies:

• Improper stop. An officer needs probable cause in order to make a traffic stop. Your lawyer may be able to argue in court that this was not the case.
• Inaccurate administration of a field sobriety test. Just because an officer administers a field sobriety test doesn't mean that he or she is doing so in an accurate manner.
• Accuracy of a Breathalyzer test. A Breathalyzer is often used to determine if a person has too much alcohol in their system to drive. Just the same as a field sobriety test, it's possible that a Breathalyzer test may not be accurate, e.g., it hasn't been properly calibrated or maintained.
• Rising blood alcohol level. It's possible to argue that your blood alcohol level rose between the time you were pulled over and the time that you took a Breathalyzer test. This can happen when recently consumed alcohol begins to fully absorb into the body.

Discuss Your Savannah DUI Case with Our Skilled Attorney

If you face a DUI charge, the above information may have raised more questions than it answered. If that is the situation in which you now find yourself, you could benefit from discussing your individual circumstances with the knowledgeable DUI lawyer from The Lerch Law Firm in Savannah.