Georgia DUI Zero Tolerance Law

Did you know that in Georgia, if you are under the age of 21, you must not only abide by the state’s driving under the influence (DUI) laws, but also follow strict zero tolerance laws.  If the name alone doesn’t scare you, consider this: the punishment for violating the Georgia zero tolerance law includes severe penalties such as a license suspension, community service, probation, and fines—and in some cases, even jail time.

Because they have not yet reached the legal drinking age, drivers under 21 must comply with a zero tolerance policy when it comes to the amount of alcohol they are allowed to have in their bloodstream. Whereas drivers 21 and over may operate a vehicle with up to a 0.08% blood alcohol content (BAC), underage drivers are subjected to a far lower BAC limit of 0.02%. As a result, a minor who has only a small amount of alcohol in his or her system can still be charged with drunk driving.

A drunk driving conviction carries severe penalties—regardless of your age or BAC. Once you have been arrested for DUI, your license will be automatically suspended by the Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV). Although you have ten days to appeal this suspension by requesting an administrative hearing with the DMV, you can expect to lose your driving privileges for a year or longer if you are convicted in criminal court.

Depending on the circumstances of your case, the sentence for violating DUI zero tolerance laws may include community service, fines, probation, and even jail time. You will also have to face the long-term consequences of your conviction. Since your offense will remain on your criminal record indefinitely, you can expect difficulties when searching for employment, as many companies have policies against hiring individuals with a prior criminal record. The same also applies for many housing and educational programs.

A DUI zero tolerance conviction will also impact your auto insurance rate. Most insurers are weary of covering known drunk driving offenders—especially if you are underage. As a result, you could be charged two to three times more for coverage if you are found guilty of violating the Georgia zero tolerance law. In some cases, you may even be unable to find a company willing to insure you at all.

The good news is that there are many ways to fight your DUI arrest, and with help from the right attorney, you may be able to reduce or eliminate the charges against you. For example, if your breath test results indicated a BAC above the legal limit of 0.02%, a skilled attorney may be able to prove that the alcohol detected was from harmless products such as mouthwash, mints, or gum—all of which are known to elevate BAC. 

To learn more about your potential defense options, contact the Law Offices of Webb and Willis for a free case evaluation. We're available 24 hours a day, seven days a week, by phone, text message, email and Facebook, so there's no better time than now to reach out to us.

Put two of the top DUI defense attorneys in the state to work for you. Contact attorneys Lee Webb and Greg Willis immediately after your arrest to begin planning your ideal defense strategy.

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