Chatham County DUI Guide

DUI Arrest in Chatham County, GA: Complete Guide

Being arrested for DUI can be a disorienting experience. In Chatham County, the process involves navigating the city's impound procedures, the county's detention center, and the state's administrative license suspension process. This guide provides a practical overview of what to expect and the immediate steps you need to take. Understanding the "Savannah Model" of DUI enforcement, with its separation of arrest, detention, and administrative authority, is key to minimizing delays and costs.

Immediate Steps (First 24 Hours)

Immediately following a DUI arrest by the Savannah Police Department (SPD), you will be taken to the Chatham County Detention Center (CCDC) located at 1050 Carl Griffin Dr, Savannah, GA 31405. The booking process includes mugshots, fingerprinting, property confiscation, and a full body search. You will be allowed to make phone calls, but the timing depends on the booking process. You can contact the CCDC booking desk at 912-651-3700.

Chatham County uses a standardized bond schedule for misdemeanor DUI offenses. You can post bail using several methods: cash bond (face value + $20 fee), a bonding company (12-15% premium), credit card (10% surcharge), property bond, online via www.cashbondonline.com, or out-of-county bond. Be aware that the CCDC operates on 12-hour shifts, and release processing can slow down during shift changes (typically 6:00 a.m. - 7:00 a.m. and 6:00 p.m. - 7:00 p.m.).

Critical Deadlines

Several critical deadlines must be met to protect your driving privileges and navigate the legal process:

• Administrative License Suspension (ALS) Hearing Request: You have 30 calendar days from the date of your arrest to request an ALS hearing with the Georgia Department of Driver Services (DDS). The request, along with a $150 fee, must be postmarked within this timeframe and mailed to Georgia Dept of Driver Services, P.O. Box 80447, Conyers, GA 30013. Failure to request a hearing within 30 days will result in the automatic suspension of your driver's license.
• Court Appearance Dates: Your initial court appearance will likely be in Recorder's Court of Chatham County, located at 133 Montgomery St., Savannah, GA 31401. First appearance hearings are typically held virtually on weekdays at 2:00 p.m.. You will receive a notice with your specific date and time. If you request a jury trial, your case will be bound over to the State Court of Chatham County, located at Eugene H. Gadsden Courthouse, 400 W. Oglethorpe Ave., Suite 127, Savannah, GA, and a new court date will be set.
• License Suspension Timeline: If you do not request an ALS hearing or if your license is suspended after the hearing, the suspension typically begins 45 days after your arrest.

DUI Enforcement in Chatham County

The Savannah Police Department (SPD) is the primary agency responsible for DUI enforcement in the city. While specific DUI checkpoint locations are not publicly released in advance, heightened enforcement often occurs during holidays and special events. The District Attorney’s office reviews criminal histories, and repeat offenders (2 DUIs in 5 years or 3 in a lifetime) may be flagged for the DUI Court track.

Local Resources

• Recorder's Court of Chatham County: 133 Montgomery St., Savannah, GA 31401
• State Court of Chatham County: Eugene H. Gadsden Courthouse, 400 W. Oglethorpe Ave., Suite 127, Savannah, GA
• Chatham County Detention Center: 1050 Carl Griffin Dr, Savannah, GA 31405. Booking Phone: 912-651-3700.
• Savannah Police Department Northwest Precinct (Vehicle Release Forms): 602 E. Lathrop Ave., Savannah, GA. Phone: (912) 651-6990. Hours: 7:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. daily, with reduced hours (7:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.) on holidays.
• Sapp’s Wrecker Service (Primary Towing Contractor): 176 Godley Rd, Port Wentworth, GA.

What Makes Chatham County Different

Several factors make navigating a DUI arrest in Chatham County unique:

• The "Travel Gap": The SPD Northwest Precinct, where you obtain the Vehicle Release Form, is 6 miles from the Chatham County Detention Center. If you are released outside the precinct's operating hours, you face a significant delay and additional storage fees.
• The "Glovebox Trap": You need your vehicle registration to get the Vehicle Release Form, but if your registration is in your impounded car, you'll have to pay a "gate fee" to retrieve it.
• The 72-Hour Cliff: If you don't retrieve your vehicle within 72 hours, an $87.55 administrative fee kicks in, significantly increasing your impound costs.
• DUI Court Track: Repeat offenders (2 DUIs in 5 years or 3 in a lifetime) may be flagged for the DUI Court track, a post-adjudication program that requires bi-weekly court appearances, random drug/alcohol screening, and mandatory treatment at Recovery Place.
• Savannah DDS Monday Closure: The Savannah DDS is closed on Mondays, potentially delaying license reinstatement or permit adjustments.

Remember to act quickly to obtain your Vehicle Release Form from the SPD Northwest Precinct at 602 E. Lathrop Ave. This is the critical first step to retrieving your impounded vehicle and minimizing fees.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. Where do I go to get my vehicle release form in Chatham County? You must go to the Savannah Police Department Northwest Precinct at 602 E. Lathrop Ave., Savannah, GA.
2. What happens if I have prior DUIs in Chatham County? The District Attorney's office will review your criminal history, and you may be flagged for the DUI Court program.
3. What if my driver's license is from out of state? The ALS hearing process still applies, and you must request a hearing within 30 days to challenge the suspension of your driving privileges in Georgia.

Find a local DUI attorney in our attorney directory or browse licensed bail bondsmen serving Chatham County.

Sources

• Chatham County Sheriff's Office
• Chatham County Sheriff's Office - Bondings Procedure
• Savannah Police Department FAQ
• Georgia Department of Driver Services - DUI FAQs
• Georgia Department of Driver Services - ALS Hearing
• Georgia Department of Driver Services - Savannah Location
• Recorder's Court | Savannah, GA - Official Website
• State Court: DUI Court Program - Chatham County, GA - Court System
• Court Services - Chatham County Sheriff's Office
• STANDING ORDER REGARDING POLICY ON PORTABLE ELECTRIC DEVICES - Chatham County Courts
• Substance Abuse Treatment Programs for Adult and Youth Offenders
• City of Savannah - Document Center