How Much Time Can You Spend In Jail For A DUI Conviction In Georgia?

Posted on: 3 June 2016

DUI convictions are very serious, so if you have been arrested for one, then it's in your best interest to try to avoid a conviction at all costs. However, you should still understand what the consequences will be if you are convicted. These consequences can vary quite a bit between states, so you will need to narrow your focus down to the laws of the specific state where you are being accused of a DUI. For Georgia, here is one of the most important punishments that you will need to learn about: sentencing requirements for DUI's.

How much time can you spend in jail for a DUI?

Unlike some states, Georgia does have both minimum and maximum sentencing requirements, even for first offenders. Some states don't have minimum sentencing requirements for all DUI's, Georgia does, which means that you can't get a conviction and completely avoid jail.

  • If it's your first offense, then you will spend between 1 day and 1 year in jail.

  • If it's your second offense, then the range raises to 3 days to 1 year.

  • If it's your third offense, then the range becomes 15 days to 1 year.

  • If it's your fourth offense, then it raises significantly to 1 year to 5 years.

What do these numbers really mean for you?

This ultimately means that there isn't a significant difference in penalties between first, second, and third offenses. You can expect to spend anywhere from a couple of days to a year in prison, but the punishment will mostly come down to the judgment of the court. Depending on the circumstances of your case and whether the judge thinks that you need to be punished harshly, you can end up getting only a few weeks in jail, even if it's your third offense.

However, this all changes with the fourth offense, which dramatically increases both the minimum and maximum sentences. It's possible to spend more time in prison a fourth DUI than you would spend for your first three combined, which means that you need to be very careful if you have already been convicted 3 times. If you are facing a trial for a fourth DUI, then you should seriously consider hiring a lawyer, like one at Medeiros & Associates, to help you out with your defense. Spending the money may seem a bit painful, but it will be worth if if you manage to avoid spending 5 years of your life in jail.

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