Protect your rights, contact us today!
Protect your rights, contact us today!
A DUI charge puts your license, your record, and in serious cases your freedom at risk. The Law Office of Gregory Chancy defends first-offense, second-offense, third-offense, and felony DUI charges, handling both the criminal case and the separate license action that follows an arrest. Call (770) 627-3221 for a free consultation.
A charge can follow a first arrest or a record of prior convictions, and the consequences climb sharply with each offense. This page is for drivers facing one who are dealing with a possible license suspension, mandatory penalties, or a felony charge after repeat offenses.
A first offense is treated as a misdemeanor, but it still carries jail exposure, a fine, license suspension, and mandatory DUI school. Repeat offenses within the lookback period escalate the charge, and enough priors turn the charge into a felony. The license action runs on its own deadline, separate from the criminal case, which is why the first decision after an arrest is time-sensitive.
The details of the arrest also matter. A charge can involve alcohol, drugs, or both, and it can arise from a traffic stop, a checkpoint, or an accident. Each of these starting points raises its own questions about how the evidence was gathered and whether the stop was lawful. Understanding which facts apply to your situation is the first step toward knowing how the case can be defended.
After an arrest, the license action starts on a clock separate from the criminal charge. You have a limited window from the arrest to request a hearing or install an ignition interlock device, and missing it suspends your license regardless of how the criminal case ends. This is the first thing to address after an arrest, and it is the reason calling a lawyer early matters. An attorney can file the request and protect your license while the case proceeds.
DUI penalties are set by how many prior offenses fall within the lookback period, and the charge escalates with each one. A first offense is a misdemeanor but still carries jail exposure, fines, license suspension, and DUI school. A second and third offense raise the fines, the jail time, and the length of license suspension, and add requirements such as an ignition interlock device. A fourth offense within the lookback period becomes a felony, carrying prison exposure and a longer license revocation. A first DUI is the most defensible point to fight for a reduction or dismissal, so earlier action preserves more options.
The case is built on four evidence points: the stop, the field sobriety tests, the breath or blood test, and the officer’s procedure. Each is a place the case can be challenged.
The stop has to be supported by a valid legal reason, and a stop without one can undermine everything that followed. If an officer pulled you over without a lawful basis, the evidence gathered after that point can be challenged and, in some cases, kept out of the case entirely. Field sobriety tests have standardized administration requirements, and departures from them weaken the results. These tests are affected by factors that have nothing to do with alcohol, including medical conditions, footwear, the road surface, and nerves, all of which the defense can raise.
Breath test results depend on a properly maintained and calibrated device and a correctly observed testing period before the sample is taken. A device that was not maintained on schedule, or a testing period that was not properly observed, can call the reading into question. Blood tests require an intact chain of custody from the moment the sample is drawn through testing, and any gap in that record is a point the defense can press. Implied consent rules and the right to an independent test create further procedural ground, since the warnings have to be read correctly and the right to a second test honored. A lawyer reviews each of these points for the openings that lead to a reduction or dismissal, and even where the evidence is strong, those weaknesses can support a better resolution than the original charge.
A case moves through arrest and booking, the license deadline, arraignment, pretrial motions, and then either a negotiated resolution or trial. After booking, the license action begins on its separate clock. The criminal case proceeds to arraignment, where the charge is formally read. Before trial, the defense reviews the stop, the testing, and the procedure for grounds to suppress evidence. Many cases resolve through negotiation, and others go to trial, with the right path set by the strength of the evidence.
A charge often arrives alongside others. The firm also defends:
If you are unsure how one charge interacts with another, call (770) 627-3221.
A private attorney gives the case dedicated time and handles the license deadline that runs separately from the criminal charge. The Law Office of Gregory Chancy takes DUI cases directly, reviews the evidence in each one, and represents clients through the parts of the process that decide the outcome. Call (770) 627-3221 or use the contact form to start.
Gregory Chancy, Esq. is the attorney and founder of the Law Office of Gregory Chancy. He guides clients through the legal process with personal attention, and he is available for free consultations. A DUI charge is a serious matter, and Gregory takes the time to understand each case and to explain the options at every stage.
A first, second, and third DUI within the lookback period are misdemeanors, and a fourth within that period is a felony. The classification depends on how many prior offenses fall inside the window.
You have a limited window from the arrest to request a hearing or install an ignition interlock device. Missing that deadline suspends the license regardless of the criminal case outcome.
A DUI can be reduced or dismissed depending on the evidence, including problems with the stop, the testing, or the procedure. Outcomes depend on the facts of each case. Our odds of getting a DUI dropped page covers how charges get challenged.
Reckless driving is a separate charge that a DUI is sometimes negotiated toward, and the two can also be charged together. The distinction affects penalties and license consequences. See our reckless driving page.
A first DUI is a misdemeanor but still carries jail exposure, license loss, and a permanent record, and a DUI lawyer can challenge the evidence that a conviction depends on. The first offense is also the best opportunity to seek a reduction or dismissal.
The Law Office of Gregory Chancy handles DUI cases across its service area. Call (770) 627-3221 to confirm the office covers your area and to set up a free consultation.
The charge has a deadline attached to it, so the sooner the case is reviewed, the more options stay open. Call (770) 627-3221 or send a message for a free consultation with a DUI lawyer.
If you have been charged with DUI, it is important to consult with an experienced Cobb County DUI lawyer who can help you understand the charges against you and your options for defending yourself. Georgia DUI laws are complex, and the penalties for a DUI conviction can be severe.
The experienced DUI lawyers at Cobb Criminal Defense will aggressively defend you against the charges and work to get the best possible outcome in your case. Call us today at (770) 627-3221 to schedule a free consultation.
If you have questions about your case or need immediate legal assistance, please complete the confidential contact form.