What You Don’t Know Can Cost You
Georgia DUI Attorneys
settingsA DUI arrest in Georgia can lead to harsh penalties, including jail time, license suspension, steep fines, and long-term consequences for your employment and insurance.
settingsBut being charged doesn’t mean you’ll be convicted. With the right DUI defense strategy, there are often opportunities to challenge evidence, negotiate a lesser charge, or avoid conviction entirely.
At Hogue Griffin, we’ve defended DUI cases across Middle Georgia for decades. We know the system, we know the tactics prosecutors rely on, and we know how to respond. Whether it’s a first-time arrest or a second or third charge, we’re here to help you fight back—and win.
Don’t risk your license or your record. Get help now.
(478) 750-8040DUI Defense Must Start Immediately—Before You Lose Your License
When you’re arrested for DUI in Georgia, two separate processes begin, one criminal and one administrative.
The criminal case determines guilt or innocence and what penalties you may face in court. However, many people don’t know that Georgia also immediately initiates an administrative license suspension process. Unless you file a challenge within 30 days of your arrest, your license will be automatically suspended, even if the criminal case is later dismissed.
Many people never realize this because the state hides this process in legalese, dense forms, and vague instructions. Officers may rush you through paperwork or imply that signing is just a formality.
It’s not. You need a DUI defense lawyer immediately to stop this clock and protect your driving privileges. Waiting could cost you your license before you’ve even had a chance to defend yourself.
DUI Defense in Georgia: What You’re Facing
In Georgia, DUI is charged when a person is believed to be driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs to the extent that it’s “less safe” to drive. The charge can be based on:
- Breath, blood, or urine test results
- Observations by the officer (slurred speech, odor of alcohol, field sobriety performance)
- Admissions made during a stop or at the scene
Penalties vary depending on prior offenses but typically include:
- Mandatory license suspension
- Fines, community service, and DUI school
- Jail time (even for a first offense)
- Increased penalties for high BAC (0.15 or more), child passengers, or accidents
These are not charges you can afford to handle without skilled representation. Prosecutors rely on the assumption that most people won’t push back. We do.
Why Most DUI Defense Successes Start With Smart Negotiation
While we are fully prepared to take DUI cases to trial when needed, the truth is that many successful outcomes happen through tough, informed negotiation.
To get the most favorable result, you need a DUI defense attorney who knows where the weaknesses are in the prosecution’s case and isn’t afraid to challenge the evidence aggressively. Then, and only then, does the prosecutor have a reason to deal.
We analyze every DUI arrest for the following:
- Improper or unlawful traffic stops
- Mishandled field sobriety tests
- Faulty breathalyzer machines or poor calibration
- Lack of probable cause for arrest
- Inaccurate officer observations
The more weaknesses we identify, the stronger your negotiating position becomes.
Implied Consent in Georgia DUI Cases
Under Georgia’s implied consent law, anyone who operates a vehicle on public roads is considered to have given consent to chemical testing—breath, blood, or urine—if lawfully arrested on suspicion of DUI.
However, before administering any chemical test, law enforcement officers must clearly inform you of the implied consent law and the consequences of refusing to take the test. This notice must be given before the test is administered—not simply after the arrest.
If you refuse to submit to a chemical test after receiving this proper notice, your driver’s license will be automatically suspended, typically for one year, even if you are later found not guilty in criminal court.
On the other hand, if the officer fails to provide the required implied consent warning before testing, then your refusal to take the test may not trigger the automatic suspension.
Because administrative license suspensions happen quickly, you must act immediately.
Challenging improper notice or other violations can preserve your license and may result in the suppression of test results in court.
The clock is ticking on your license appeal. Let’s get started.
(478) 750-8040
Building an Effective DUI Defense Strategy
Every case is different, but our approach stays consistent: build a strategy that fits the facts, the science, and your goals.
We start with a full review of the arrest, dashcam and bodycam footage, test results, and police procedures. From there, we look at all potential lines of defense:
Unlawful stop
If the initial traffic stop was not supported by reasonable suspicion, all evidence that followed may be inadmissible.
Field sobriety test flaws
These tests are not as scientific as prosecutors claim. We challenge their administration and reliability.
Faulty breathalyzer results
Machines must be calibrated regularly, and even then, they’re prone to error. We demand records and expert analysis.
Blood test issues
Chain of custody, contamination, or delay in testing can all make blood results unreliable.
Medical conditions
Certain physical conditions can mimic signs of impairment or affect test results.
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Our thorough, trial-ready posture ensures that even when we pursue negotiation, we’re doing it from a position of strength.
First-Time DUI? Your Options Are Better Than You Think
If this is your first DUI offense, you may qualify for a limited driving permit, access to diversion programs, or even a pre-trial dismissal in certain jurisdictions. We walk you through every available option, explain the risks and benefits, and help you make informed decisions.
We also ensure that one mistake doesn’t turn into a long-term disaster. From protecting your license to preventing a criminal record, we fight to keep your future intact.
Repeat Offenses and High-Stakes DUI Defense
If you’ve been charged with DUI before—or if this case involves aggravating factors like a child passenger, accident, or very high BAC—you’re facing enhanced penalties. These include:
- Longer license suspensions
- Mandatory jail time
- Ignition interlock device installation
- Substance abuse evaluation and treatment
These cases demand a more aggressive approach, both in investigation and negotiation. We’re not here to sugarcoat the situation—we’re here to prepare you for it and fight for the best possible outcome.
DUI charges don’t fix themselves. Get a defense that works.
(478) 750-8040
Protecting the Rights of People in Middle and South Georgia
Our Macon, Georgia-based attorneys are ready to fight for your rights in any Georgia court. We accept clients from all of these and surrounding areas:
- Macon
- Warner Robins
- Milledgeville
- Perry
- Dublin
- Thomaston
- Eatonton
- Forsyth
- Cochran
- Albany
- Valdosta
- Cordele
- Waycross
- Brunswick
- Statesboro
- Savannah