05/28/2026
A second DUI charge in Georgia comes with a different set of rules than a first offense, and the gap between them is significant.
Georgia counts DUI convictions within a 10-year look-back period.
If your first DUI was within the past decade, your current charge is treated as a second offense.
That means:
A mandatory minimum of 72 hours in jail
Fines starting at $600 before court costs
A minimum of 240 hours of community service
An 18-month license suspension
A required ignition interlock device after reinstatement
Georgia law also requires your name and photo to be published as a convicted DUI offender in the local legal organ newspaper.
Despite the higher stakes, second DUI cases are still defensible. The legality of the traffic stop, whether testing equipment was properly calibrated, and whether field sobriety tests were conducted according to standardized procedures are all worth examining closely.
There's also the question of whether a prior conviction was properly obtained, which can affect whether the current charge actually qualifies as a second offense.
If you've been charged with a second DUI in Macon County, early legal representation makes a real difference.
Contact our office to schedule a consultation. (478) 316-2745