Atlanta DUI Pleading Nolo Contendre

After a DUI arrest, you will be required to attend arraignment in order to submit a plea of guilty, not guilty, or nolo contendre (Latin for “no contest”). The judge presiding over your DUI arraignment makes the final decision about whether he or she will accept a nolo contendre plea. This plea basically means that you are not contesting the charges, but you are not pleading guilty, either. If you are facing pending DUI charges, consult with an experienced DUI defense attorney to learn more about pleading nolo in a drunk-driving case.

Defendants whose blood alcohol content (BAC) was .15% or higher when they were pulled over are ineligible to enter a nolo plea, as well as drivers under the age of 21. If a defendant is not a Georgia resident, pleading nolo to a DUI charge will not save his or her driver’s license, unless the home state permits it. Upon learning of the Atlanta DUI conviction, the defendant’s home state may suspend or revoke his or her driver’s license; therefore, pleading no contest is no better than pleading guilty or being convicted at trial. Therefore, winning the case or reducing the DUI to a non-DUI offense through a plea bargain is extremely important for a non-Georgia resident.

In many cases, the ability to plead nolo is unavailable if the defendant refused to take a breath, blood, or urine test after being pulled over on suspicion of impaired driving. A defendant may also be denied this option if he or she has a prior guilty verdict or plea or a prior nolo contendre plea to DUI within the past five years.

In the past, pleading nolo allowed a defendant to save his or her driving privileges; however, this is no longer the case. In fact, you may face the same penalties when you plead nolo as if you had pleaded guilty. You will be convicted of DUI, and this conviction will go on your record.

If you have questions regarding how you should plead to your pending DUI charges, contact The Kohn DUI Defense Firm. We will help you weigh your options in order to secure the best outcome for your Atlanta DUI case.