If you’re facing a DUI charge in Georgia, it’s important to understand the potential jail requirements that come with a conviction.
For a first DUI offense, Georgia law includes a mandatory minimum sentence of 24 hours in jail. However, in many cases, that requirement is satisfied by the time already spent in custody after the arrest. Most judges do not require someone to return to jail beyond what has already been served, depending on the circumstances of the case.
For a second DUI conviction, the law requires a minimum of three days in jail.
For a third DUI conviction, the mandatory minimum increases to 15 days in jail.
These are statutory minimums, meaning a judge has to impose at least that amount if there is a conviction. The overall sentence can include additional penalties such as fines, probation, community service, DUI school, and license consequences.
Every case is different, and prior history plays a major role in sentencing. Understanding the potential penalties early on is an important part of building a strong defense strategy.
