Source: http://atlantageorgiaduilawyer.blogspot.com/2012/12/atlanta-dui-lawyer-atlanta-dui-lawyer.html
Timestamp: 2019-04-21 22:52:19
Document Index: 334346027

Matched Legal Cases: ['§ 1', '§ 40', '§ 40', '§ 40', '§ 40', '§ 40']

§ 1:11. Driving with an unlawful alcohol level—“Per se” alcohol DUI—O.G.C.A. § 40-6-391(a)(5)—Misdemeanor—Elements
When the State alleges a violation of O.C.G.A. § 40-6-391(a)(5), it must prove that the defendant was “driving or was in actual physical control of a moving vehicle.” Once again, this means that the State must prove “the number” shown in the alcohol test result was above 0.08 grams percent. Miller v. State, 238 Ga. App. 61, 516 S.E.2d 838 (1999); Mullinax v. State, 231 Ga. App. 534, 499 S.E.2d 903 (1998) ; Kitchens v. State, 258 Ga. App. 411, 574 S.E.2d 451 (2002). Slight evidence may be sufficient to carry the day for the State, if defense counsel does not successfully keep this out of evidence. Goodson v. State, 242 Ga. App. 167, 529 S.E.2d 175 (2000); Yarbrough v. State, 241 Ga. App. 777, 527 S.E.2d 628 (2000). Under prior Georgia law, the prosecution was required to prove that any driver 18 and older had a blood alcohol concentration of 0.10 grams or more within three hours after driving. Changes to the law in 1997 and 2001 forever changed Georgia's law on this per se limit.
The statutory provisions dealing with the per se law for operators of commercial vehicles do not allow the same 3-hour window for proof of a test result. Hence, the State will be required to prove the 0.04 (or more) reading at the time of driving. Moreover, driving or actual physical control within the three-hour time frame must be proven by the State. This can be proven by circumstantial evidence. Yarbrough v. State, 241 Ga. App. 777, 527 S.E.2d 628 (2000).
The Court of Appeals recently found that O.C.G.A. § 40-6-391(a)(5) does not require a chemical test performed upon the suspected DUI driver within three hours in order to sustain a “per se” conviction. In State v. Allen, 256 Ga. App. 798, 570 S.E.2d 34 (2002), the Court held that expert testimony utilized by the State could be used to establish the alcohol concentration during the “relevant time period.” However, the Allen Court did not address the requirements in O.C.G.A. § 40-5-55(a) or O.C.G.A. § 40-5-67.1(a) mandating the chemical test be performed “as soon as possible” as it was not properly raised on appeal.
In adding a new type of DUI for inhaling toxic vapors, the legislature renumbered the old UBAL statute from (a)(4) to (a)(5). This has opened the door for targeted demurrers to be filed in response to faulty UTCs and accusations. These errors often are grounds for an acquittal or elimination of changes, depending on when and how the defense challenge is asserted. Contact an Atlanta DUI lawyer today for a free consultation.