Marietta DUI Lawyer Fighting for Your License and Your Record

Arrested for DUI in Marietta or anywhere in Cobb County? You have 30 days to act or your license is suspended automatically. Call now and talk directly with an attorney.

You work with the attorney, not a case manager

Free, confidential consultation

Office on the Marietta Square, minutes from the Cobb County courthouse

A DUI arrest puts two things at risk: your driver's license and your criminal record. As a Marietta DUI lawyer, Traci Trippe Hoffman defends both. She reviews the traffic stop, the testing and the officer's video, then builds a defense around what actually happened. The sooner you call, the more options you have.


You Have 30 Days to Protect Your Georgia License

After a DUI arrest in Georgia, the officer usually takes your license and gives you a DDS 1205 form. That form works as a temporary permit. It also starts a 30-day clock that runs separately from your criminal case.

Within those 30 days, you generally have two choices:

  1. Request an ALS hearing. You file a written request with the Department of Driver Services and pay a $150 nonrefundable fee. An administrative law judge then decides whether your license will be suspended.

  2. Install an ignition interlock device. Some drivers can apply for an ignition interlock limited permit instead and keep driving. Choosing this option gives up the hearing.

If you do neither, the hearing right is lost and your suspension takes effect automatically when the temporary permit runs out. A refusal suspension can last a full year with no limited permit.

Which option is right depends on your test result, your driving history and your job. Traci can help you decide before the deadline passes.

What a Marietta DUI Attorney Looks For in Your Case

Many DUI cases have weak spots. Traci reviews every part of your arrest:

  • The traffic stop. The officer needs reasonable suspicion to pull you over. Without it, the evidence from the stop may be thrown out.

  • Field sobriety tests. Weather, uneven pavement, footwear, fatigue and medical conditions can all affect results. So can tests that weren't given according to national standards.

  • Breath and blood tests. Breath machines need proper calibration and maintenance. Blood samples need a clean chain of custody.

  • Your rights. Was the implied consent notice read correctly? Was the search legal? Were Miranda warnings required?

  • Video evidence. Dashcam and bodycam footage often tells a different story than the police report.

Georgia's Implied Consent Law

By driving in Georgia, you agree to chemical testing if you're lawfully arrested for DUI. Refusing can trigger its own license suspension. In 2025, the Georgia Supreme Court ruled in State v. Dias that breath and urine refusals have different constitutional protections than blood refusals. What that means for your case depends on which test was requested and how. 

DUI Charges Involving Drugs or Prescription Medication

By driving in Georgia, you agree to chemical testing if you're lawfully arrested for DUI. Refusing can trigger its own license suspension. In 2025, the Georgia Supreme Court ruled in State v. Dias that breath and urine refusals have different constitutional protections than blood refusals. What that means for your case depends on which test was requested and how. 

DUI Penalties in Georgia

Penalties increase with each conviction within 10 years. The table shows the ranges set by Georgia law. A judge can suspend part of the jail time, and a good defense can keep you from a conviction entirely.

Georgia DUI Penalties (Convictions Within 10 Years)

Offense Jail Fines Community Service Other
First DUI 10 days to 12 months (all but 24 hours may be suspended) $300 to $1,000 40+ hours Risk Reduction Program, clinical evaluation, probation
Second DUI 90 days to 12 months (all but 72 hours may be suspended) $600 to $1,000 30 days (240 hours) License plate surrender, clinical evaluation
Third DUI 120 days to 12 months (all but 15 days may be suspended) $1,000 to $5,000 30 days (240 hours) Habitual violator status, name and photo published in the local paper
Fourth DUI 1 to 5 years (felony) Up to $5,000 60 days (480 hours) Felony record

A DUI that causes serious injury or death can be charged as a felony, even on a first offense. This information is general and is not legal advice.

Why Clients Choose TT Attorney for DUI Defense

  • You work with the attorney. Traci handles your case herself.
  • You won't be passed to a case manager.
  • Local courts. The office is a short walk from the Cobb County courthouse.
  • Straight answers. You'll know what you're facing, what it costs and what comes next.

Free Consultations 

No Fee unless we win (injury) 

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Marietta DUI FAQs

  • How soon should I call a DUI lawyer after my arrest?

    As soon as you can. You have 30 days to request an ALS hearing or choose an ignition interlock permit. Calling early also gives your lawyer time to request video before it's erased.

  • Will I lose my license after a DUI in Georgia?

     Not always. A timely ALS hearing request or an ignition interlock permit may let you keep driving. If your license is suspended, you may qualify for a limited driving permit to get to work, school and court.

  • Can a DUI be reduced to reckless driving in Georgia?

    Sometimes. When there are problems with the stop, the testing or the evidence, a DUI can be negotiated down to reckless driving or dismissed. Every case is different.

  • Should I have refused the breath test?

    Refusal has its own consequences, including a possible one-year suspension. But the 2025 State v. Dias decision changed how breath refusals can be used in court. Your lawyer can explain how it applies to your case.

  • Can a DUI be removed from my record in Georgia?

    A DUI conviction stays on your record permanently. If your charge is dismissed or reduced, you may be able to have the arrest restricted. That's why fighting the charge matters.

  • How much does a Marietta DUI lawyer cost?

    The cost depends on the facts of your case and whether it goes to trial. Your first consultation is free, and Traci will explain the fee upfront. 

  • Do I have to go to court for a first DUI?

    Yes, a DUI requires a court appearance. Your attorney can handle many hearings with you and sometimes for you, and will prepare you for each step.

Talk With a Marietta DUI Attorney Today

A DUI charge doesn't have to cost you your license, your job or your record. Call TT Attorney for a free, confidential consultation with a Marietta DUI attorney. Traci will review your arrest, explain your options and help you meet the 30-day deadline.