Paulding County DUI Lawyer
REPRESENTING THOSE IN BARTOW, COBB, CHEROKEE, FULTON, PAULDING, AND DOUGLAS COUNTIES.
If you or someone you know has been charged with a DUI in Paulding County Georgia, contact our office at Frye Law Group today to begin your defense.
As a former prosecutor and lifelong advocate for justice, Kim Frye knows that the State does not always fight fair. Finding an aggressive and experienced DUI lawyer can be one of the biggest challenges after a person has been accused of driving under the influence.
That’s why she has dedicated her practice to defending her clients and their rights to the fullest degree.
PAULDING COUNTY GEORGIA DUI DEFENSE
If you’re pulled over in Paulding County Georgia for a DUI and an officer asks you to take a breathalyzer test, there’s not much use in saying no. Georgia is an implied consent state, which means that by driving on Georgia’s roads, you consent to a blood alcohol test.
A DUI in Paulding County Georgia is a serious criminal offense and has significant consequences for those convicted. It could affect how much you pay for car insurance, and that conviction will stay on your criminal record forever.
It’s also important to note that this includes 1st time offenders – Georgia does not have an exception for DUI first offenders. That means that, if convicted, even your first-time DUI can’t be expunged (cleared from your record).
The blood alcohol levels that can lead to a DUI are like those in most states in the US:
- If you are over the age of 21, driving a passenger vehicle: 0.08 or higher
- If you are driving a commercial vehicle: 0.04 or higher
- If you are under 21: 0.02 or higher
THE 30-DAY WARNING FOR DUI ARREST IN PAULDING COUNTY GEORGIA
Anyone arrested in Paulding County Georgia for a DUI has to appear in two separate courts. First, you’ll appear in criminal court (the State of Georgia v. you). But after that, you’ll also have to appear in a civil court to determine whether your driver’s license will be suspended – also known as an administrative license suspension hearing.
When you are arrested in Paulding County Georgia, the police officer will fill out a form called DDS (Georgia Department of Driver’s Services) Form 1205. When DDS views your form, they’ll send you what’s commonly known as the 30-Day Letter. That’s because you only have 30 days to request a hearing after you receive the letter. If you don’t request a hearing, your license will automatically be suspended.
DUI Court Process
After a DUI arrest in Paulding County, the legal process usually begins with an arraignment. At this first court appearance, the charges are formally presented, and the defendant may enter a plea of guilty, not guilty, or no contest.
If the case proceeds, the next stages may include pre-trial motions and hearings. During this time, the court reviews evidence, and legal counsel may challenge how that evidence was obtained. Issues such as the validity of a traffic stop or the accuracy of chemical testing can be addressed at this stage.
If no resolution is reached, the case may proceed to trial, where both sides present evidence and arguments. A judge or jury then decides the outcome. Each step in the DUI court process matters because it determines how evidence is reviewed and what penalties or consequences of DUI may apply if there is a conviction.
Call 770-919-9525 or fill out our online contact form to set up a free case evaluation today.
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Potential Penalties
1ST TIME RECEIVING A DUI
If you get arrested for a DUI, you may face different penalties depending on your past arrests. If it’s your first time receiving a DUI, the penalties may include any of the following:
- 1-10 days in jail (sometimes can be waived)
- 12 months of probation
- Suspended driver’s license (limited permit is sometimes available, potential to drive with an ignition interlock device)
- DUI Risk Reduction School (20 hours of class)
- $300-$1000 fine plus surcharges
- At least 40 hours of community service
- Clinical substance abuse evaluation and any recommended treatment
- Going to a MADD Victim Impact Panel
2ND DUI
If it’s your second time receiving a DUI, the penalties may include any of the following:
- 3-15 days in jail and up to 12 months of probation
- 30 days (240 hours) of community service
- DUI Risk Reduction School (20 hours of class)
- Suspended driver’s license for 4-18 months (limited permit is sometimes available after 4 months, potential to drive with an ignition interlock device)
- Photo published in news
- $600-$1000 fine plus surcharges
- Clinical substance abuse evaluation and any recommended treatment
- Going to a MADD Victim Impact Panel
- Surrender license plate
3RD DUI
If it’s your third time receiving a DUI, the penalties may include any of the following:
- High and aggravated misdemeanor
- 15 days to 12 months in jail
- 30 days (240 hours) of community service
- DUI Risk Reduction School (20 hours of class)
- Minimum 2 year suspended driver’s license with no permit
- Photo published in news
- Habitual violator designation
- $1000-$5000 fine plus surcharges
- Clinical substance abuse evaluation and any recommended treatment
- Going to a MADD Victim Impact Panel
- Surrender license plate
FELONY DUI
Most of the time, being arrested for DUI is considered a misdemeanor offense. People deemed “habitual violators” that are arrested for a 4th DUI within a 10 year period are charged with felony DUI though. Felony DUI convictions carry very severe penalties, including:
- Minimum 90 days in jail and maximum of 5 years
- 60 days (480 hours) of community service
- DUI Risk Reduction School (20 hours of class)
- Suspended driver’s license with no permit
- $1000-$5000 fine plus surcharges
- Clinical substance abuse evaluation and any recommended treatment
- Going to a MADD Victim Impact Panel
- All other punishments associated with being a convicted felon
What Should I Do If I Get Stopped For A DUI?
Contact Our DUI Attorney In Marietta, GA Today
REPRESENTING THOSE IN COBB, BARTOW, CHEROKEE, FULTON, PAULDING AND DOUGLAS COUNTIES.
Because you have such a limited amount of time to contest your suspended license and the seriousness of DUI charges in Paulding County Georgia, you should call an attorney as soon as you receive notice of your charge.
If you or someone you know has been charged with a DUI, contact our office at Frye Law Group today to begin your defense.
Got a DUI? Call 770-919-9525.
Frequently Asked Questions About DUI Lawyers
What should I do immediately after a DUI arrest?
Stay calm, remain silent, and request legal counsel before answering questions. This helps avoid statements that could later weaken possible DUI defenses.
Can I refuse a breathalyzer test?
Under Georgia’s implied consent law, refusing a breath test can trigger an automatic license suspension, even if the DUI charge is dismissed.
What are common mistakes people make after a DUI arrest?
Missing the 30-day deadline to request a license hearing, posting about the case on social media, or confusing charges like DUI vs. reckless driving. Another mistake is misunderstanding how DUI checkpoints work, since arrests from these stops must follow specific rules.
Why is understanding the DUI process important?
Knowing the steps after a DUI arrest—such as arraignment, hearings, and trial—helps individuals prepare and make informed decisions. Each stage of the DUI court process affects how evidence is presented and what defenses may be available.
How long does a DUI stay on your record in Georgia?
A DUI conviction in Georgia remains on your criminal record permanently and cannot be expunged. It may also impact your driving history for years.
Can a DUI charge ever be reduced?
In some cases, prosecutors may reduce a DUI charge to reckless driving or another offense. Whether this applies depends on the evidence and available DUI defenses.
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REPRESENTING THOSE IN COBB, BARTOW, CHEROKEE, FULTON, PAULDING AND DOUGLAS COUNTIES.
Because you have such a limited amount of time to contest your suspended license and the seriousness of DUI charges in Paulding County Georgia, you should call an attorney as soon as you receive notice of your charge.
If you or someone you know has been charged with a DUI, contact our office at Frye Law Group today to begin your defense.
Got a DUI? Call 770-919-9525.
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