This page volition help you empathize Georgia alcohol laws and avert expensive fines or even jail. Not to mention fourth dimension and embarrassment.

Georgia alcohol laws utilize to all residents and visitors. It's piece of cake to think that its laws are the aforementioned as in other states. That could be a big mistake. They fifty-fifty differ inside Georgia. Merely not knowing the law is no defence force.

           Overview

I.   Alcohol Minimum Ages
II.  More Alcohol Laws
III. Resource
Iv. Get Legal Advice

I. Alcohol Minimum Ages

Many young people want office-time jobs. Hospitality offers many. Ofttimes around alcohol. How old must a person be to serve alcohol? To sell it for drinking elsewhere? To tend bar? They need answers. So we provide them.

Georgia alcohol laws permit adults to tend bar. Of course, adults are those 18 or older. They may besides serve in venues that sell booze for on-site drinking.

No state alcohol police force gives any minimum historic period for selling booze for off-site drinking.

Georgia alcohol laws permit some drinking under the age of 21. They may do so for religious purposes. Or when prescribed by a physician. The land also permits them to have alcohol in the dwelling house of a parent or guardian in their presence.georgia alcohol laws

For that reason, many parents do this to demystefy booze and to teach moderation. They think information technology'southward better for young people to learn to potable in the parents' firm than in a fraternity firm.

Ownership alcohol with a false ID is a crime. As well it's illegal for anyone under 21 to drive with a BAC over 0.02.

II. More Georgia Alcohol Laws

A. Selling Alcohol

In Georgia, package stores sell distilled spirits. That is, bourbon, scotch, gin, vodka, rum, etc. Grocery and convenience stores sell beer and wine.

Because of local option, counties and towns set the days/times for alcohol sales. All the same, they may non permit sales earlier 8:00 a.m. or after 11:45 p.thou. Mondays through Saturdays.

If local laws allow Sunday sales, businesses may not sell before 12:30 p.m. Sunday or remain open up later on xi:45 p.thou. In addition, package stores may non sell on Sundays.

Information technology's a violation of Georgia alcohol laws to sell alcohol to anyone nether the historic period of 21. The penalty is jail for up to one yr and a $1,000 fine. Note that Georgia treats non-alcoholic beer and wine every bit alcoholic beverages.

A concern tin can exist held responsible for alcohol-related accidents nether certain weather condition. Ane is if the seller did non obtain proper ID. The other is if the business sold alcohol to an intoxicated person.

The punishment for providing alcohol to anyone nether 21 is jail for up to ane twelvemonth and a $1,000 fine. In addition, the court typically charges the provider with contributing to the malversation of a small.

Conviction for contributing to the delinquency of a small may forestall people from inbound certain jobs. They include constabulary, education, social piece of work, law enforcement, among others.

Parents may file a ceremonious adjust confronting a person who provided alcohol to their offspring, including adults, nether 21.

Counties with Sun sales cannot sell alcohol until 12:30 p.m. For a map of Sunday alcohol sales restrictions, see Georgia Counties.

B. Buying Alcohol

It's illegal for anyone under 21 to purchase, or attempt to buy, any alcoholic drinkable. Retailers may confiscate faux IDs and study information technology to police force enforcement. It'south besides illegal for those nether 21 to possess alcohol. Notwithstanding, the cases are so numerous that the Legislature has intervened.

georgia alcohol lawsAs a result, first-time offenders may plead guilty. So the court may dismiss the charges under certain conditions. These are by and large probation, a fine, community service, and an booze awareness form. Of course, a judge decides the punishment.

In addition, some prosecutors hold to expunge the record as part of the plea understanding.

It's also illegal for anyone to possess an unregistered beer keg. The penalty is jail for up to 12 months and a fine up to $1,000. The same penalization applies to destroying the characterization on a keg.

C. Driving and Alcohol

Georgia alcohol laws prohibit driving nether the influence (DUI). For those 21 or older, that's driving a regular vehicle with a blood alcohol concentration (BAC) of 0.08% or college. It's 0.04% for those driving commercial vehicles. And information technology's 0.02% for those under 21.

The exact penalties for DUI depend on the gauge and the facts of the case. That includes historic period, type of license, the BAC, any previous convictions, and many other factors. As well, those drivers with a BAC of 0.15% or in a higher place receive college punishments. The law requires some penalties, others are inside ranges, and some are upwardly to the guess.

DUI Penalties Age 21 & Older

   First Law-breaking

  • Georgia alcohol lawsLicense pause for up to one year.
  • Fine of at least $300. Even so, it could be as high as $1,000.
  • License reinstatement fee of $210.
  • Community service of forty hours.
  • DUI program. The offender must pay $355 for it.
  • Possible jail for upwards to i year.

   Second Offense within five years

  • Jail for two to 365 days.
  • License intermission for eighteen months to three years.
  • Fine of at least $600. But information technology could be as high as $1,000.
  • License reinstatement fee of $210.
  • Community service of at least xxx days.
  • DUI program. The offender must pay $355 for information technology.
  • Possible interlock ignition device (IID) on vehicle. This prevents the automobile from starting if in that location's alcohol on the driver's jiff. Information technology'due south expensive and the offender must pay for information technology.

   Third Criminal offence

  •  Jail or at least 15 days.
  • License revocation for five years.
  • Confiscation of license plate.
  • Fine of at to the lowest degree $1,000. Even so, information technology could be as high as  $5,000.
  • License reinstatement fee of $410.
  • Community service of at to the lowest degree 30 days.
  • DUI program. Of course, the offender must pay $355 for information technology.
  • Clinical evaluation and handling.
  • Status of Habitual Violator.
  • Proper name, address, and photo published in offender'south local paper, for which perpetrator must pay.

DUI Penalties Ages xvi-20

   Showtime Criminal offense

  • License intermission for half-dozen months for BAC under 0.08.
  • Suspension for one year for BAC 0.08 or over.
  • License reinstatement fee of $210.
  • DUI program. The offender must pay $355 for information technology.

   2d Offense within Five Years

  • License suspension for 18 months regardless of BAC level.
  • License reinstatement fee of $310.
  • DUI programme. Of course, the offender must pay $355 for it.
  • Clinical evaluation and possible treatment.

   Third Criminal offense within Five Years

  • License suspension for v years.
  • License reinstatement fee of $410.
  • DUI program. Once more, the offender must pay $355 for it.
  • Clinical evaluation and possible handling.

DUI Penalties Historic period 15 and Younger

   First Offense

  • Georgia alcohol lawsLicense pause until age 17.
  • DUI program. The offender must pay $355 for it.
  • License reinstatement fee of $210.

   Second Crime

  • License suspension until age 18.
  • DUI program. Again, the offender must pay $355 for information technology.
  • License reinstatement fee of $310.

   Third Offense

  • License interruption until historic period eighteen.
  • DUI program. Of grade, the offender must pay $355 for information technology.
  • License reinstatement fee of $410.

Drivers must ship opened alcohol containers in a vehicle's trunk.

Driver Rights

All drivers have a U.South. Constitutional right to decline submitting to a chemical BAC test. Nevertheless, the state punishes those who do then. It'due south a license suspension for upwardly to one year. And if a court convicts them of a first DUI, their suspension isn't for "upward to" ane year. It's a required one year break. For a second DUI, the license suspension is for iii years instead of 18 months to three years.

Field SobrietyTests

But Georgia alcohol laws practice non penalize drivers who refuse to take a field sobriety examination. These are highly inaccurate. In fact, 30% of completely sober people neglect them. That is, well-nigh ane of every iii people with a BAC of 0.00% fail to laissez passer!

For this reason, lawyers strongly urge people never, ever to take them. They say to politely refuse. And practice so over and over if necessary. So it may be wise to have their advice.

Police accept clever means to talk drivers into taking the tests. They ofttimes falsely insist that the law requires it. Non truthful. In fact, no state in the U.Due south. requires it.

They may say the test will prove they're innocent. But police don't consider passing every bit proof of sobriety. Therefore, taking the test never helps drivers. It only harms them. Furthermore, people don't take to prove their innocence. In reality, it's the state that must bear witness them guilty.

In addition, larn much more than at Never Take a Field Sobriety Test Say DUI Lawyers.

D. Boating and Alcohol

georgia alcohol lawsGeorgia alcohol laws prohibit canoeing under the influence (BUI). That is, operating a gunkhole, personal watercraft (PWC), water skis, sailboard, wakeboard or similar device while intoxicated. Nor may an owner allow anyone else to do so.

Those historic period 21 or older are guilty of BUI if they operate while their BAC is 0.08 or higher. This is likewise truthful if police notice drugs. In add-on, those nether 21 are guilty if their BAC is 0.02 or higher.

Penalties

Those convicted of BUI face fines of upward to $1,000 and/or jail for upwards to one year. They may non operate a vessel until successfully completing an approved DUI program. Of course, they must pay for it.

If anyone age 13 or younger is onboard, the offender is besides guilty of endangering a child. Conviction of this criminal offense can take adverse bear on on career choices. For instance education, law, law enforcement, social work, etc.

Boaters who use their right to decline BAC test may not operate a vessel for upwardly to i yr. The state may argue in courtroom that the use of the correct proves guilt. But it's wrong.

III. Resources on Georgia Booze Laws

  • State Code of Georgia
  • Legislative Information
  • Supreme Court of Georgia Opinions
  • Court of Appeals Opinions
  • Attorney General Opinions
  • State Bar of Georgia
  • Georgia Alcohol Law Enforcement

IV. Legal Advice on Drinking Laws in Georgia

Georgia's alcohol laws, similar those of other states, can change. Courts tin can their interpretation. They can disharmonize. Or be vague. And so exercise not rely on this site. Nor on any other site.

And beware. Neighbors may draw incidents. Co-workers may give advice. Friends may express views. Kin may "know it all." Strangers may chime in. Simply law is not "do it yourself." Lawyers spend years studying it. Smile and thank them. Their communication is worth what y'all paid for it. That is, probably zippo. Moreover, it could be misleading.

georgia alcohol lawsGet data and advice about Georgia alcohol laws from an expert. That is a lawyer holding a license in the state. The state bar (lawyers) association has a free lawyer referral service.

It's as well best to pick a lawyer who specializes in booze. Police is very circuitous. You wouldn't want your family MD to exercise encephalon surgery.

Now you lot now know much more about Georgia alcohol laws than do most residents of the state. Congratulations! If yous think something should be added to this folio, delight contact hansondj [at sign] potsdam [dot] edu/ In fact many readers accept helped improve this site. Then cheers for whatever help!