Laurens County License Hearing Guide

Laurens County DUI License Suspension & ALR Hearing

A DUI arrest in Laurens County, Georgia, triggers two separate legal processes. First, there's the criminal case in court, where the prosecution must prove you were driving under the influence beyond a reasonable doubt. Second, there's an administrative process handled by the Georgia Department of Driver Services (DDS) that can result in the suspension of your driver's license, regardless of the outcome of the criminal case. This guide focuses on the administrative license suspension and the steps you must take to protect your driving privileges.

CRITICAL DEADLINE: Request Hearing Within 30 Days

You have only 30 calendar days from the date of your DUI arrest to request an Administrative License Suspension (ALS) hearing. This hearing, also known as an Administrative License Revocation (ALR) hearing, is your opportunity to challenge the suspension of your driver's license. Missing this deadline results in an automatic suspension of your driving privileges.

To request a hearing, send your request to: Georgia Department of Driver Services, RM-Hearing Requests, P.O. Box 80447, Conyers, GA 30013. Licensed attorneys can also file the appeal electronically via the DDS Online Services portal.

A mandatory filing fee of $150.00 must accompany the hearing request.

Automatic License Suspension

The Georgia DDS will automatically suspend your license under certain circumstances following a DUI arrest.

If You Took the Breath/Blood Test and Failed

If you submitted to a breath or blood test and your Blood Alcohol Concentration (BAC) was 0.08 grams or higher (0.02 for drivers under 21, 0.04 for commercial drivers), your license will be suspended. The DDS Form 1205 issued by the arresting officer serves as a temporary driving permit valid for 45 days.

If You Refused Testing

Refusing to submit to a chemical test (breath, blood, or urine) carries a longer license suspension under Georgia's implied consent laws.

Georgia's implied consent law means that by driving on Georgia roads, you have implicitly agreed to submit to chemical testing if lawfully arrested for DUI. Refusal to submit to testing results in a license suspension, even if you are not ultimately convicted of DUI in criminal court.

The ALR/Administrative Hearing

What It Is

The ALR hearing is a civil administrative proceeding, entirely separate from your criminal DUI case. The purpose of the hearing is to determine whether the DDS has sufficient grounds to suspend your driver's license. The burden of proof in an ALR hearing is lower than in a criminal trial. The DDS only needs to show that it is more likely than not that you were driving under the influence, rather than proving it beyond a reasonable doubt.

How to Prepare

Preparing for an ALR hearing is crucial. Here are some steps you can take:

• Gather evidence: Collect any evidence that supports your case, such as witness statements, dashcam footage, or medical records.
• Understand what you can challenge: You can challenge various aspects of the DDS's case, such as the legality of the traffic stop, the accuracy of the breathalyzer test, or whether you were properly informed of your implied consent rights.

Possible Outcomes

The ALR hearing can have several possible outcomes:

• Suspension upheld: If the hearing officer finds that the DDS has sufficient evidence to support the suspension, your license will be suspended.
• Suspension overturned: If the hearing officer finds that the DDS does not have sufficient evidence, the suspension will be overturned, and your license will be reinstated.
• Restricted/hardship license granted: In some cases, the hearing officer may grant you a restricted or hardship license, allowing you to drive under certain conditions.

Hardship/Restricted License in Georgia

Even if your license is suspended, you may be eligible for a limited driving permit or hardship license in Georgia.

Eligibility requirements for a limited driving permit vary depending on the circumstances of your DUI arrest and the length of your suspension. Generally, you must:

• Have had your license suspended for at least a certain period.
• Enroll in a DUI Alcohol or Drug Use Risk Reduction Program (DUI school).
• Install an ignition interlock device (IID) on your vehicle.
• Pay a reinstatement fee.

With a limited driving permit, you can typically drive for:

• Work
• School
• Medical appointments
• DUI school
• Attending court-ordered community service

Getting Your License Back

After Criminal Case Concludes

Even if you win your ALR hearing, you still need to address your criminal DUI case. Depending on the outcome of that case, additional steps may be needed to fully reinstate your license.

Reinstatement requirements may include:

• Paying a reinstatement fee to the DDS.
• Filing proof of SR-22 insurance with the DDS.
• Completing a DUI Alcohol or Drug Use Risk Reduction Program (DUI school).

Laurens County DMV Offices

The local DDS Customer Service Center in Dublin is located at: 620 County Farm Road, Dublin, GA 31021.

The phone number for the statewide call center is 678-413-8400.

Hours of operation are Tuesday - Friday: 8:00 AM - 6:00 PM, Saturday: 8:00 AM - 12:00 PM.

The online portal can be found at dds.georgia.gov.

Special Programs

• Ignition Interlock Device Program: Georgia law requires the installation of an ignition interlock device (IID) for certain DUI offenders, particularly those with prior convictions or high BAC levels. The IID prevents the vehicle from starting if the driver's breath alcohol concentration exceeds a pre-set limit.
• DUI Alcohol or Drug Use Risk Reduction Program (DUI School): This program is mandatory for all individuals convicted of DUI in Georgia. The course provides education about the dangers of alcohol and drug use and helps participants develop strategies to prevent future DUI offenses. You can find a DUI school in Dublin, Laurens County at https://milledgevilleduidds.com/dui/class/ga/laurens-county/dublin/dublin-ga-laurens-county-school-for-dui-class/.

Frequently Asked Questions

1Where will my ALR hearing be held if I was arrested for DUI in Laurens County?

ALR hearings are conducted by the Georgia Office of State Administrative Hearings (OSAH). They are typically held either virtually or at a regional administrative venue roughly sixty days post-arrest.

2I'm not from Laurens County. Does that affect my ALR hearing?

No, your residency does not affect the ALR hearing process. However, you will still need to comply with all deadlines and requirements set by the Georgia DDS, regardless of where you live.

3If I hire a DUI attorney, will they handle the ALR hearing for me?