If the highly publicized DUI accusations of former Gwinnett County Commissioner Charles Banister or Tampa football star Mike Williams are any example, Driving Under the Influence (DUI) is a crime that is prevalent nation-wide.   The town of Huntington Beach, California is particularly familiar with this type of headline.   This coastal vacation destination of 200,000 people is ranked first, out of the entire state of California, for the number of alcohol-related traffic deaths among comparable cities.  In an effort to bequeath this title to someone else, Huntington Beach Councilman Devin Dwyer proposed a public shaming of repeat DUI offenders on the city’s Facebook page. 

    According to the Fox News report released last week, Dwyer’s fellow council members voted against the proposal for fear that the action would “alienate residents and impact the presumption of innocence for suspects.”  The Huntington council also stated that implementing the policy would mean certain damage to the city’s image.

In the state of Georgia, if this is not your first DUI or you’ve been convicted multiple times of driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol  (second DUI, third DUI, etc.), you can expect to see a report of your repeat arrest (and photo) published in the newspaper along with the following:

• Paying a $600-$1,000 fine**In addition to money lost on account of diminished wages, legal fees, damages, etc.
• Spending 72 hours in jail
• Serving 30 days community service
• Undergoing alcohol or drug treatment
• Completing a mandatory Risk Reduction Program
• Serving 12 months probation
• Surrendering all license plates for cars registered in offender’s name

     As an Atlanta DUI and traffic attorney, I use my Facebook and Twitter page not to shame drivers, but provide them with news and advice to assist in minimizing the embarrassment and disruption created when arrested for a traffic-related offense.  To read more from my latest blog visit the MRGADUI website.