Georgia DUI Punishment

Penalties for a DUI Conviction in Georgia

        A first conviction for DUI in a 5 year period will generally carry         the following punishment:

• 12 month sentence total.
• Between 10 days and 12 months in jail. All but 24 hours of the jail time can be suspended or probated by the Judge. Generally, if this is your first DUI in your lifetime, you can expect to get the minimum jail time, 24 hours.
• Fine of $300 to $1000 plus surcharges
• 40 hours of community service
• Risk Reduction Course (generally referred to as "DUI School")
• A clinical evaluation for alcohol and drug dependency
• Suspension of your driver's license for one year. If your DUI was alcohol related and you finish the risk reduction course mentioned above, you will be able to get your license reinstated early after 120 days. During that 120 day period a limited permit may be available for you to drive on. However, if your DUI was based on driving under the influence of drugs, your license will not be reinstated for 6 months and there is no limited permit available.

       A second conviction for DUI in a 5 year period will generally        carry the following punishment:

• 12 month sentence total.
• Between 90 days and 12 months in jail. All but 72 hours of the jail time can be suspended or probated by the Judge.
• Fine of $600 to $1000 plus surcharges
• 30 days (240 hours) of community service
• Risk Reduction Course (generally referred to as "DUI School")
• A clinical evaluation for alcohol and drug dependency
• Suspension of your driver's license for 18 months. No permit is available. Can get your license back after 12 months with the ignition interlock.
• Ignition interlock on your vehicle.
• Your picture gets published in the newspaper.
• Surrender your license plates of any vehicle you own.

       A third conviction for DUI in a 5 year period will generally carry        the following punishment:

• 12 month sentence total.
• Between 120 days and 12 months in jail. All but 15 days of the jail time can be suspended or probated by the Judge.
• Fine of $1000 to $5000 plus surcharges
• 30 days (240 hours) of community service
• Risk Reduction Course (generally referred to as "DUI School")
• A clinical evaluation for alcohol and drug dependency
• Revocation of your driver's license for 5 years. No permit is available. A probationary license may be obtained after two years.
• Ignition interlock on your vehicle.
• Your picture gets published in the newspaper.
• Surrender your license plates of any vehicle you own.