Georgia Felony Vehicular Homicide & Serious Injury Cases

Other vehicular crash cases, for an at-fault DUI arrestee can be upgraded to felony crimes. Serious injury by vehicle DUI cases (or reckless driving cases) can bring a 1-to-15-year prison term, per victim. These SIBV GA felony offense cases are twice as common as vehicular homicide GA cases.

Incredibly, thousands of people are in Georgia prisons and jails for DUI-related offenses. Most of those in jail had prior DUI convictions, but even a first offender can be facing a felony if an at-fault wreck results in a death or serious bodily injury to another person.

This is why our DUI attorneys in Georgia will do whatever the law allows to achieve a dismissal the DUI or negotiate a plea deals to reduce the charges to something other than a DUI. So, the answer to the common question, 'Is a DUI considered a criminal offense in GA?' is a definitive 'Yes.'

By co-authoring the LEADING BOOK on Georgia laws relating to DUI, our lawyers are among the State's most successful litigation professionals on alcohol or drug impaired driving cases. Remember also that every DUI in GA has a potential jail term of 12 months, if convicted.

Moreover, increased penalties jump much higher if arrested for DUI second offense or third offense, if subsequently convicted. The license suspensions for a 2nd in 5 and 3rd DUI in Georgia are 3 years and 5 years, respectively. In all convictions of drunken driving, that person MUST complete DUI school to ever be able to get reinstated.

What’s a DUI Classified as in the Peach State?

The 4th Offense Ten Year Lookback Period. In over 9 out of every 10 DUI arrest cases in GA, a misdemeanor DUI charge is what our clients are facing. If someone gets a fourth DUI within ten years, the accused person will be charged with a felony DUI.

Is a DUI a misdemeanor in Georgia? Usually, yes, they are. Typically, each year, fewer than 6% of all DUIs in the Peach State are prosecutions for felony DUI in Georgia. However about 15% are for a person with at least one prior offense of driving under the influence.

Plus, for those who accumulate 4 DUIs within a ten-year look back period (using dates of arrest) a felony will be accused. Without question, hiring a skilled and experienced criminal defense attorney near me is crucial for such complex DUI offenses.

In what states is a DUI a felony? Every state but New Jersey makes either a 3rd DUI or 4th DWI a felony except the Garden State. To be charged with a related felony the driver would have had to kill someone else or seriously injure others.

In all states, DUI misdemeanor cases are 10 times more likely than felony DUI charges. But, in the past 30 years, more states have added felony DWI or DUI statutes to their traffic laws, and several have eliminated the "lookback" rules, thereby making repeat offenses look at your lifetime record.

At the 4 metro Atlanta Kohn & Yager law offices in Fulton County and Cobb County, the three DUI law book authors on defending a drunk driving charge understand that preparation is the key to obtaining a successful outcome in a DUI case.

Call us 24 HOURS A DAY, for a FREE lawyer consultation. Dial 404-567-5515

Our three criminal lawyers, ex-cop Cory Yager, DUI lawyer William "Bubba" Head, and AVVO superstar Larry Kohn have helped multiple thousands of drivers in GA avoid DUI convictions. Mr. Head wrote the definitive book on how to beat a DUI case in 1991.

These "wins" were accomplished by getting a DUI charge reduced or dismissed entirely, using a wide variety of tactics. For some cases, not taking the prosecutor's offer for minimal punishment, and simply fighting the cases, we later found a way to win. So, defending these tough cases in every available way possible is the starting point.

It is crucial to the defense of your DUI case that you hire an experienced Georgia DUI attorney who knows the law, plus has had experience in over 1,000 cases in defending DUI clients in Georgia. Our three Super Lawyers all have that enviable track record on both misdemeanor and felony drunk driving cases. Bubba Head is one of only three 2024 Board Certified NCDD attorneys in Georgia.

Related page: DUI lawyer near me in Georgia

Client Reviews

★★★★★

Great lawyer helped me out a lot. Very attentive, made me feel comfortable and at ease!! Really knows his stuff - would use him anytime.

★★★★★

Mr. Larry Kohn could not have been more helpful. I sent him a message for a free consultation, and unfortunately my case had to be handled in another state. But he completely walked me through everything I needed to do, and even offered to assist the lawyer I did find in Virginia should they need help with my case. Jamie V.

★★★★★

Mr. Kohn is just amazing. He is truthful and realistic when explaining potential outcomes of your case and doesn’t force you to hire him or anything. When I met him, he went through everything about the case and ways to fight it off first before even telling me about his services. He got my case dismissed and kept me out of a lot of potential problems with school applications and future job opportunities. I highly recommend him to anyone. Anurag G.