Memorial Day is a time to remember and honor those soldiers who died while serving their nation. The federal holiday is also one in which drivers across Georgia hit the roads with family and friends to enjoy a three-day weekend.
Our Cumming readers know that it is traditional for area law enforcement agencies to hit the roads as well, on the lookout for drivers under the influence of alcohol.
You can count on the Georgia State Patrol sending its Nighthawks Task Force out to patrol Forsyth County neighbors Gwinnett and Fulton counties; two of the areas they focus on in their efforts to nab DUI drivers. The Nighthawks group has expanded steadily over the years, regularly patrolling Athens-Clarke County, Chatham County, Bulloch County, Cobb County and other areas that have high numbers of DUI violations.
A first conviction on a charge of drunken driving can mean a wide variety of punishments that include the following:
- Jail time: up to a year behind bars
- Significant fines: up to $1,000
- Community service: a minimum of 40 hours
- Probation: up to a year
- Loss of driver’s license: a suspension for a year
Penalties for a subsequent conviction will be much worse.
For many people, the punishments can mean loss of a job or an inability to continue their education. An unspoken penalty will come in the form of a likely big bump up in your auto insurance premiums as well.
When the stakes are that high, a person charged with drunk driving can respond quickly and effectively with the help an attorney experienced in DUI defense.