Why are prosecutors so hard on DUI’s?
By Michael D. Barber, Georgia Lawyer specializing in DUI, Drug Charges & Criminal Defense
A frequent question we answer for our clients is, “Why are the prosecutors so hard on DUI arrests? I have never been in trouble before!” The events that occurred on April 5, 2021 in Sandy Springs are one example of why prosecutor’s seem so difficult with DUI charges.
According to various news agencies, Fox News, Fox 5 and 11 Alive, Sgt Ortega with the of the Sandy Springs Police Department was on the side of Georgia 400 performing Sandy Springs DUI enforcement via a traffic stop around 12AM when driver Khiriy Smith slammed into the side of his vehicle. As a result of the collision, Officer Ortega was taken to the hospital for recovery. Driver Smith was arrested and charged with Driving Under the Influence and violating the Georgia Move Over Law, Possession of an Open Container and Reckless Driving.
Whenever there is an accident, prosecutors react more difficult in their “recommended terms and conditions” for a DUI, but it can seem even more harsh when an officer is involved directly in the accident. All police use some of the various available charges to stop a vehicle. In addition to responding to an accident they also can use Failure to Maintain lane or the Georgia Move over Law. Frequently one of these charges can lead to a DUI investigation. In the scenario above, the driver, at some point, lost control of the vehicle and collided with the officers vehicle on the side of Georgia 400 at a high rate of speed. As a result of the accident, now Mr. Smith finds himself charged with not only DUI but various other charges.
This example is a prime reason that prosecutors are so difficult when it comes to prosecuting DUI charges. The prosecution does not “see” your case as a simple DUI. Their training from the State tells them that every DUI could have ended up with either an injury or a death. Most believe it is their “duty” as a prosecutor to make sure that any defendant charged with a DUI gets the message to not do it again. Many of the officers that work DUI investigations have seen an accident similar to this one in Habersham County.
It doesn’t matter where you find yourself in Georgia almost all of the police force use this common charge to begin a DUI investigation including: Johns Creek Police, Alpharetta Police, Milton Police, DeKalb County Police, City of Atlanta, Gwinnett County and the list goes on. These officers have been trained for DUI investigation and these investigations can lead to a DUI if they suspect the driver has been drinking or using drugs. As a result of the Governor’s office of Highway Safety teaming up with various organizations, including the HEAT and TEAM division of local counties, the cops are cracking down on impaired driving in an attempt to stop accidents resulting in casualties.
Received a DUI charge in Sandy Springs? Call us.
If you have been accused by the police of driving under the influence then you need help from a trained DUI attorney for a DUI charge in Sandy Springs.
Should YOU find that you either don’t want to face the court alone or simply feel that you need help from an attorney then give our office a call regarding your citations.
There are facts to every case where defenses can be raised for anyone charged with driving under the influence. Each situation is different from the other and requires a evaluation of all the information in order to properly mount a defense and a effective negotiation with the prosecutor’s office.
Remember that every DUI case is different because not two sets of facts are the same. Application of the above case law to your situation would take examination of the facts surrounding your case and applying this case law properly to create a properly mounted defense for YOUR arrest.
Our office has 24-hour response lines and can answer your questions and help you. Give our team of DUI defense lawyers in Sandy Springs a call at 404-445-8494. We can help you mount a proper defense for your situation.
