Reader’s Question:

My brother was required to get an SR22 insurance because of his DUI in Athens-Clarke County, Georgia. I also heard something like SR22A, how is that different from the SR22?

Kaelyn

Athens-Clarke County, GA

In the state of Georgia, an SR22A is akin to an SR22 that is required for your brother because of his DUI in Athens-Clarke County, Georgia except that SR22A has additional restrictions or is necessary under certain occurrences. SR22A is the Georgia Responsibility Insurance Certificate and it could be required for a driver if the person has a conviction for operating a vehicle without liability insurance or other particular traffic violations. In the state of Georgia, it is normally mandated for an unsatisfied judgment.

The period of time that a person has to have the Responsibility Insurance Certificate depends on why it is needed. It would be normally required for a period of one to three years. For instance, if a person is trying to get his license back after a suspension because of a second conviction of no proof of insurance, the SR22A should be filed and carried for three years from the date the person was convicted. An auto insurance provider should vouch that the person has in effect a valid liability insurance policy covering the mandated period of time.

Tags: auto insurance, drunk driving insurance, DUI, SR22 insurance

Reader’s Question:

I think I need to go through my car insurance policy again because I was told that my rates could increase after my DUI here in Athens, Georgia. How can I avoid having an increased rate on my car insurance policy?

Frank

Athens, GA

The very first thing that you check if you want to avoid increased car insurance rates after your DUI in Athens, Georgia is to make sure you know how your insurance company handles it. Knowing what you could expect from your car insurance provider is the best way to protect yourself. This is the reason why you need to be familiar with the car insurance policy that you have at all times. You have to know how the insurance company handles DUI’s and make sure that they follow their own rules. At this time, you need to find out what they require from you and that is your responsibility. Do not just let your insurance provider handle everything, because that would end badly.

Also, you definitely need to fight to do right. Be sure that you listen to whatever your car insurance company tells you. You can approach them and find out how you could have this removed and taken care of. They probably allow you to do something that would take care of this charge and not result in a higher car insurance rate. In any case, there’s still a better and affordable car insurance policy waiting for you so check the quotes available from this website.

Tags: car insurance, car insurance quotes, drunk driving insurance, DUI

Reader’s Question:

I don’t know if I would just have to agree to a plea bargain for my DUI case here in Augusta-Richmond County, Georgia. If I do, do I have to attend a DUI program or like DUI classes?

Darin

Augusta-Richmond County, GA

A DUI conviction in Augusta-Richmond County, Georgia would probably require you to attend a DUI program or DUI classes. You certainly have to attend these classes if the court will ask you to as part of your DUI sentence. No matter where your DUI happened, you have the right to attend a program near your residence. You can speak with officials from your DUI case with regard a program assignment.

But remember that a DUI conviction would appear on your criminal record even if you agree to attend a DUI program. So before agreeing to a plea bargain, you have to read through the agreement to determine what would appear on your record. Also, keep in mind that if you fail to complete the program, your driver’s license or even a temporary license could be revoked and you could return to court for further sentencing. A reminder as well that after a DUI conviction, your car insurance would likely go up. If you’re looking for an affordable and reliable car insurance policy, check on the quotes available from this website.

Tags: car insurance, DUI, DUI school, plea bargain

Reader’s Question:

How would I know if I have the right lawyer to defend me in my DUI case here in Albany, Georgia?

Charles

Albany, GA

At least you know that you have to hire a defense lawyer to help you in your DUI case in Albany, Georgia. First of all, you would know that you have the right DUI lawyer if the lawyer knows how to challenge every aspect of your DUI case. The DUI lawyer should comb over the initial stop and DUI arrest. He has to find out and challenge that the police officer had a probable cause to pull you over and perform any further tests. He has to examine the arrest carefully to see if there are loopholes.

After that, the DUI lawyer would then look at similar DUI cases. The American Council on Alcoholism is offering DUI case studies and sentencing samples which could help you prepare the defense on your DUI case. In order to find loophole in your DUI case, your lawyer must be following through on all administrative hearings, including getting you a temporary or restricted license. Not only that, the DUI lawyer should also be able to help you avoid having an increase on your car insurance after being charged with DUI. But if you think you can’t avoid an increased rate on your car insurance, you can switch companies so let me encourage you to go ahead and get an online rate quote for your car insurance from this website.

Tags: car insurance, car insurance quotes, driver’s license, DUI, DUI lawyer

Reader’s Question:

Is there any good thing that I can get after my auto insurance company has cancelled my policy because of my DUI charge here in Roswell, Georgia?

Vincent

Roswell, GA

Little good could come from an auto insurance company cancelling your auto insurance policy because of your DUI charge in Roswell, Georgia, except perhaps for your reimbursement check. If an insurance company cancels your auto insurance policy, you could expect to receive a check for the amount of the premium you paid that did not purchase coverage. Let me give you an example: if your six-month auto insurance policy costs $600 and you paid it in full at the beginning of the insurance period, and your auto insurance company cancels your policy after four months, you would get back $200 for the two months the auto insurance company does not cover you.

But that would be a small consolation given the “cancellation cloud” that would hang over your auto insurance future. In case you are trying to find a better deal now for your auto insurance, don’t think twice and get an online rate quote now from this website.

Tags: auto insurance, auto insurance quotes, DUI

Reader’s Question:

I have a conviction for drunk driving here in Northeast Cobb, Georgia and I understand that I am now classified as a high risk driver. Is there a way that my car insurance company can miss my DUI conviction?

Marcelino

Northeast Cobb, GA

Car insurance companies could check your motor vehicle or driving record only once every three years or if you are applying for a new policy. It would be possible that tickets, drunk driving convictions and accidents could never make their way to your official motor vehicle record. But if your car insurance provider discovers your DUI conviction and considers you as a high-risk driver, your car insurance premiums could sky rocket.

The premium rates would vary largely among car insurance companies and the rate hike would be the least of your problems because your car insurance policy may be cancelled or not be renewed, especially if you are in the preferred rate class. The best strategy to handle your car insurance problems after your drunk driving conviction in Northeast Cobb, Georgia is to shop around for great deals from different insurance companies when you are about to renew your car insurance policy. You can definitely get an online rate quote from this website for a notable car insurance, and I highly recommend that you do so.

Tags: car insurance, drunk driving insurance, DUI

Reader’s Question:

Is it possible for my insurance carrier in Marietta, Georgia to cover the total loss and damages in my automobile if I was convicted of DUI?

Fred

Marietta, GA

It is not a typical exclusion in a car insurance policy being convicted of a DUI. Yes, the insurance coverage should be afforded to the terms in your auto insurance policy. Auto insurance claims with regards to an accident that occured while you were driving under the influence (DUI) are normally covered by the car insurance coverage you had in place at the time of the incident.

Most states have alcohol exclusions, however this is normally regarding damages one sustains while drunk driving.

To be certain that your insurance carrier in Marietta, Georgia will accept your car insurance claim for the automobile that was damaged at the time you were cited for a driving under the influence charge, you should review over the terms and conditions of your auto insurance policy and discuss with your car insurance agent. Your insurance carrier should be able to tell you if there are any exclusions in your auto insurance policy that would permit your them to deny your car insurance claim.

Tags: auto insurance, DUI

Reader’s Question:

A friend of mine told me that he was asked to do some field sobriety tests, including the walk and turn test, when he was stopped for DUI suspicion here in Marietta, Georgia. How is this being done and how can a police officer tell that a person failed the walk and turn test?

Jack

Marietta, GA

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), the DUI suspect would be directed to take nine steps along a straight line, as if walking a tightrope. After taking the steps, the person must turn on one foot and return in the same manner in the opposite direction. Practitioners in Marietta, Georgia would generally see this test offered with only an imaginary line.

There are eight indicators of impairment in doing the walk and turn test: (1) the person could not keep balance while listening to the instructions, (2) the person begins the test before the instructions are finished, (3) the person stops while walking to regain balance, (4) the person does not touch heel-to-toe, (5) the person steps off the line, (6) the person uses arms for balance, (7) the person makes an improper turn, and (8) the person takes an incorrect number of steps. If the police officer would identify two or more indicators, the studied reliability percentage applies.

Tags: DUI, DUI lawyer, field sobriety tests

Reader’s Question:

Hi, I am only 13 years old, I live here in Augusta, Georgia and I don’t know how to drive yet, but I am so eager to learn. My dad explained to me that once I learned how to drive, I should never do it if I had something to drink. My question is, could you give me some examples of how an officer can detect a driver who is under the influence?

Laila

Augusta, GA

A drunk driver can be detected by a police officer if the driver was observed to have a problem in maintaining proper lane position. The task of maintaining proper lane position could be difficult for a driver who is under the influence. For example, you see a weaving vehicle in Augusta, Georgia in which it alternately moves toward one side of the lane and then the other. The pattern of lateral movement could be fairly regular, as one steering correction is closely followed by another. In some cases, the wheels even cross the lane lines before a correction is made. You may also observe a vehicle straddling a center or lane line in which it moves straight ahead with either the right or left tires on the wrong side of the lane line or markers.

Another example of how a police officer detects a drunk driver is if the vehicle is drifting. This happens when a vehicle is moving in a generally straight line, but at a slight angle to the lane. The motorist may correct his/her course as the vehicle approaches a lane line or other boundary, or fail to correct until after a boundary has been crossed. In some cases, the motorist fails to correct in time to avoid a collision.

Tags: DUI, DUI lawyer

Reader’s Question:

I think my father was unlawfully arrested for DUI here in Atlanta, Georgia and his lawyer is finding a way to prove that. What are the typical scenarios for the traffic stop, detention and arrest in a DUI case?

Elmer

Atlanta, GA

In a DUI traffic stop, the prosecution must prove that there was a good reason to stop your father when he was driving in Atlanta, Georgia. If they can’t prove just that, all evidence as a result of your father’s DUI stop, except the observations of his driving, would be rendered unusable in court.

Likewise, the prosecution also has to prove that there was a legal reasoning behind holding your father for the DUI investigation if there was a probable cause to pull him over because of DUI suspicion. Their failure to demonstrate with facts valid reasons for having him detained for questioning, beyond a short stop, then all evidence acquired after stopping him could be suppressed.

If there was probable cause to pull over your father and subject him to a field investigation, then the prosecution also has to prove that your father was intoxicated enough to justify an arrest. Without a legal proof, the results of any field investigation test could be suppressed. In addition, there should also an authority to arrest, involving the question if the offense was committed in the officer’s presence.

Tags: DUI, DUI arrest, DUI lawyer