Houston County District Attorney

Georgia's new felony DUI law applies to offenses occurring on or after July 1, 2008. Under its provisions:

• First and Second DUI Convictions are treated as misdemeanors.
• Third DUI Convictions are treated as high and aggravated misdemeanors.
• Fourth or Subsequent Convictions committed within ten years are treated as felonies.

First Time DUI Convictions

• Fines ranging from $300.00 to $1,000.00
• A period of imprisonment from ten days to 12 months (judge may probate all but 24 hours of jail time)
• A minimum of 40 hours of Community Service for DUI at .08 BAC or above/Or a minimum of 20 hours of Community Service for DUI below .08 BAC
• Completion of a DUI Alcohol or Drug Use Risk Reduction Program
• A clinical evaluation and completion of any necessary treatment
• 12 months of probation, less any jail time served

Second Time DUI Convictions

• Fines ranging from $600.00 to $1,000.00
• A period of imprisonment from 90 days to 12 months (offender must serve 72 hours of actual jail time)
• A minimum of 30 days of Community Service
• Completion of a DUI Alcohol or Drug Risk Reduction Program
• A clinical evaluation and completion of any necessary treatment
• 12 months of probation, less any jail time served

Third Time DUI Convictions

• Fines ranging from $1,000.00 to $5,000.00
• Period of imprisonment from 120 days to 12 months (offender must serve 15 days of actual jail time)
• A minimum of 30 days of community service
• Completion of a DUI Alcohol or Drug Risk Reduction Program
• A clinical evaluation and completion of any necessary treatment
• 12 months of probation, less any jail time served

Fourth and Subsequent Convictions

• Fines ranging from $1,000.00 to $5,000.00
• A period of imprisonment from one to five years (offender must serve three months of actual jail time)
• A minimum of 60 days of Community Service
• Completion of a DUI Alcohol or Drug Risk Reduction Program
• A clinical evaluation and completion of any necessary treatment
• 5 years of probation, less any jail time served

The Governor's Office of Highway Safety is issuing this warning to party responsibly this July 4th holiday: During "OZT", police in Georgia will conduct major waves of concentrated patrols and sobriety checkpoints throughout the state from Friday, June 20, through Sunday, July 6, 2008 to protect innocent motorists and their families from DUI-drivers on our highways.