PJ Campanaro | Attorney at Law

CALL TO GET IMMEDIATE HELP: 706-770-6868

PJ Campanaro | Attorney at Law
706-770-6868
Photo of attorney PJ Campanaro

An Advocate Who Genuinely Cares And Works Your Case Hard

Start Building Your Defense Against DUI Charges Now

Last updated on September 29, 2025

Many people who are charged with a DUI can feel like they do not have options to defend their rights. No matter the circumstances of your DUI case, you can create a strong defense that helps you get the best possible outcome for your charges. At PJ Campanaro Attorney at Law, a knowledgeable attorney helps clients create a strong defense strategy that protects their rights and future.

Attorney PJ Campanaro has more than 20 years of legal experience, including time spent as both a prosecutor and litigator. This experience has allowed her to learn what strategies are effective in DUI cases and see how law enforcement can make serious mistakes when handling evidence. From the office in Evans, Georgia, she defends the rights of clients throughout the August-Aiken metropolitan area. You can schedule your free consultation by calling Ms. Campanaro at 706-770-6868.

Do Not Let A Single Mistake Ruin Your Future

DUI convictions in Georgia, South Carolina or Tennessee can lead to hefty fines and lengthy jail sentences. A conviction can also ruin your reputation and may haunt your future for years to come. Because of these severe consequences, you should work with a skilled defense lawyer who will protect your civil rights.

Ms. Campanaro and her team carefully investigate every detail of their clients’ cases to create a personalized case strategy. They will examine how evidence was handled, how sobriety tests were administered and everything else related to your arrest. This close investigation allows them to create a defense based on the unique circumstances of your arrest.

The firm represents clients who are charged with a variety of DUI-related charges, including:

  • Driving a passenger vehicle under the influence of drugs or alcohol
  • Boating under the influence
  • Commercial drivers accused of driving under the influence

Analyzing The Consequences Of A DUI In Georgia

For a first conviction on DUI charges, you could face a year in jail and fines up to $1,000. Minimum penalties are $300 in fines and 24 hours behind bars. Penalties escalate for subsequent offenses over the next decade. For a second offense, the minimum fine is $600, along with 72 hours in jail.

A DUI also leads to a driver’s license suspension. You have 30 days if you would like to appeal that suspension. In some cases, drivers will use an ignition interlock device.

A DUI can become a felony if there are aggravating factors. Simple DUI charges, even for a third offense, generally start as misdemeanors but could be escalated to felonies if there is serious injury or if someone passes away in a DUI-related accident. Felony charges can also be used for those who are termed habitual violators.

Strategic Defense Techniques After DUI Charges

The defense techniques that you use will depend on the details of your specific case. Potential tactics to consider include:

  • Challenging field sobriety test results
  • Challenging breath test results due to mistakes made by the police or calibration issues
  • Challenging rights violations, such as an illegal traffic stop

In many cases, impairment will be a judgment call made by a police officer. For instance, a driver may be pulled over for rolling through a stop sign, and the officer will then say that they noticed evidence of impairment when talking to them. But was the driver actually impaired, or was there another issue, such as sickness or fatigue? You have many potential defense options to consider.

The Immediate Aftermath: What To Do After A DUI Arrest In Augusta

After a DUI arrest, the most important thing you can do is stay calm, know your rights and seek professional help quickly.

Understanding Your Rights And The Implied Consent Law

After a DUI arrest in Georgia, one of the first issues you may face involves implied consent laws. These laws require drivers to submit to certain tests, such as breath, blood alcohol content (BAC) tests or oral fluid testing, if an officer has reason to believe the driver is impaired. Refusing these tests can immediately put your driver’s license at risk.

However, the results of roadside tests, police observations and a police report can all be challenged in court if mistakes were made.

The Critical First Steps: Why Time Is Of The Essence

Some of the most urgent steps include:

  • Filing an appeal within 30 days to prevent an automatic license suspension.
  • Preserving evidence from the night of your arrest, including witness statements or video footage.
  • Carefully reviewing the police report for errors or inconsistencies.
  • Requesting a hearing to challenge your blood alcohol content test results or roadside tests.

Taking these steps as soon as possible can have a huge impact on the outcome of your case.

Navigating Georgia’s DUI Laws And Penalties In Augusta

Georgia law has strict rules when it comes to drunk driving accidents and DUI arrests. These rules can feel complicated, but understanding them is the key to building a strong defense.

What Does Georgia Code § 40-6-391 Mean For DUI Charges?

Under Georgia Code § 40-6-391, drivers can be charged with DUI if their blood alcohol content is .08% or higher or even lower if there is evidence of impaired driving. Prosecutors may rely on oral fluid testing or other chemical evidence in drug cases.

These charges are not all the same. For example, a 1st DUI in Georgia will have different consequences than a repeat offense. The law also allows for enhanced penalties if there was a drunk driving accident that caused injuries.

What Are The Mandatory Minimum Sentences And Penalties?

Georgia law imposes mandatory minimum sentencing for DUI convictions. Penalties may include:

  • Fines between $300 and $1,000 for a first DUI, with higher fines for repeat offenses.
  • Community service of at least 40 hours for a first offense, which increases to a minimum of 240 hours for a second DUI within 10 years.
  • Jail time of at least 24 hours for a first DUI conviction, with sentences ranging up to 12 months.
  • Mandatory DUI Risk Reduction Program enrollment, sometimes called DUI School, must be completed at the driver’s expense.
  • Probation for up to 12 months, minus any jail time served.

A skilled DUI lawyer in Augusta, Georgia, can negotiate for reduced charges or alternative sentencing options.

License Suspension And Your Privilege To Drive

The privilege to drive is essential for work, family and daily life, and a license suspension can quickly affect every part of your routine. As an Augusta DUI lawyer, she understands how important it is to fight for your ability to stay on the road.

Felony DUI, Repeat Offenses And Aggravated Charges

While a 1st DUI in Georgia usually results in a misdemeanor, there are circumstances where the charge can rise to a felony. Repeat offenses, especially within 10 years, carry much harsher penalties. A third DUI within that time is considered a high and aggravated misdemeanor, while a fourth offense is a felony under Georgia law. Aggravated DUI charges may also arise in cases where:

  • A child under 14 was in the vehicle during the arrest.
  • The DUI resulted in a drunk driving accident, causing serious injury or death.
  • You were already under license suspension when the DUI occurred.

As an Augusta DUI lawyer, Ms. Campanaro can examine key evidence to find opportunities for reduced charges or alternatives to long-term suspension.

The Impact On Commercial Driver’s Licenses (CDL)

For those who hold a commercial driver’s license (CDL), a DUI arrest can be devastating. Georgia law imposes stricter standards on commercial drivers, setting the blood alcohol content limit at just .04%, half the legal limit for other drivers. Even a first DUI offense can lead to a one-year disqualification of your CDL.

For a second DUI, you risk losing your CDL for life. That means no possibility of working in your field again, even if you later regain your personal driving privileges.

The Augusta DUI Legal Process: A Step-By-Step Guide

The DUI process does not end with the arrest. There are hearings, negotiations and possibly even a trial to prepare for.

What To Expect: Pretrial Hearings And Plea Agreements

In many cases, the court will schedule pretrial hearings. These hearings may involve discussions about plea agreements, where prosecutors might offer reduced charges in exchange for a guilty plea.

Having a lawyer who understands how to negotiate is crucial here, as the decisions made at this stage can have lasting effects.

Preparing For A Jury Trial Or Criminal Trial Work

If your case goes to trial, preparation is everything. Trials involve presenting evidence, questioning witnesses and challenging the prosecution’s case at every turn.

Ms. Campanaro has years of experience in jury and bench trials and presents that background in every case she handles.

Probation Violations And Post-Conviction Issues

For some clients, the case does not end after sentencing. Issues like probation compliance or post-conviction relief may arise.

Selecting Experienced DUI Lawyers

It is important to have an experienced defense attorney when facing criminal charges. Ms. Campanaro was admitted to the Georgia State Bar in 2004, so she brings decades of valuable experience to every case. She is an advocate who genuinely cares about her clients. This starts with a case evaluation, and she offers free initial consultations.

Her dedication to your best interests also extends to the next steps you’ll need to take, such as responding to charges, attending court hearings, crafting a defense to DUI charges and understanding potential sentences.

This may be the first time that you are facing DUI charges in the Central Savannah River Area, but Ms. Campanaro has handled many of these cases over the years and can offer insights and legal guidance.

Learn Who We Can Help In A Free Consultation

You can schedule your free first meeting at the Evans office now to speak with an attorney. You can call the firm at 706-770-6868 or send an email to set up your first meeting.