DUI Child Endangerment in Georgia
In Georgia, DUI charges are taken very seriously. However, these charges are escalated when there are children involved. Under Georgia law, child endangerment applies when there is a child under the age of 14 in the vehicle. A person can be charged with DUI and child endangerment when found to be driving a vehicle with children while under the influence of alcohol or drugs. If you or a loved one has been charged with DUI or child endangerment, you must retain representation right away to ensure your rights are protected. The penalties are severe, and it is in your best to hire the best criminal attorneys in Georgia. Call now for a free case evaluation.
Child endangerment can manifest in several ways. These include:
- Not using a car seat
- Putting a child's life at risk due to dangerous driving
- Not fastening a child's car seat
- Failure to provide adequate and reasonable care due to impairment
Understanding DUI Child Endangerment Charges in Georgia
Child endangerment and DUI are two separate charges. Furthermore, a driver may find themselves charged with multiple DUI's when there are multiple children in the car. Georgia law adds a new DUI charge for each child under 14 years of age that was in the vehicle. The resulting convictions can be misdemeanor DUI or even felony DUI charges when the charges start to add up. For example, if convicted of DUI and 2 child endangerment charges out of the same arrest, your conviction will be treated as a 3rd in 5 years conviction for license suspension purposes. It will even count towards being a habitual violator meaning that you could lose your Georgia driving license for up to five years.
A DUI charge paired with child endangerment can have serious repercussions, especially for those responsible for caring for children. Some of the people who potentially face significant consequences include:
- Teachers
- Coaches
- Daycare owners and employees
- Healthcare providers
- Parents involved in a custody battle
Additionally, if your job requires you to drive, a conviction for DUI and child endangerment could mean the loss of your job. Situations where this could apply include:
- Truck drivers
- Employees who use company cars or fleet vehicles
- Salespeople
- Real estate agents
- Bus drivers
Defenses to a Child Endangerment Charge in Georgia
There are always Georgia Criminal Defenses that we can use to defend your case. We can argue for an alternative sentence or attempt to reduce the charges. Our Child Endangerment Attorneys in Georgia have decades of experience defending DUI charges. Because a child endangerment charge depends upon proving that the driver was under the influence, we will fight the DUI charge first. If the State is unable to show you are guilty of the underlying DUI charge, then you could not have endangered a child.
Fighting a DUI child endangerment charge can be done in a number of ways. Some defenses your Georgia Child Endangerment Lawyer could use include, but are not limited to:
- Challenging the reason for the initial traffic stop
- Challenging the results and accuracy of the blood or breath test
- Demonstrating that the child was over 14 years of age
Contact Us Today
There is hope for you if charged with DUI and child endangerment in Georgia. Our Georgia Child Endangerment Lawyers have the experience you need to be successful. We will work hard to get the results you deserve because we understand the stress and difficulties convictions can bring. Our goal is to protect your rights, freedom, and future. Contact us now for a free case evaluation.
