Question: I'm writing because I got a DUI charge in Atlanta.  I took the breath test and I was definitely over the line.  I blew a .197.  I realize that makes me pretty drunk although I really felt fine.  I thought I could drive.  I guess the drinks were more potent than I thought.

It was just a night out with my girlfriend.  We ate at Desta Ethiopian Kitchen and made stops at the Red Brick Brewing Company and the Laughing Skull Lounge.  It was going great till I got stopped for speeding.  I was totally cooperative and did everything the Atlanta police officer asked.

It's my first DUI charge.  But I have been in trouble in the past.  I have a pot possession charge, a robbery charge, an attempted murder charge from a fight that got out of hand at Georgia State and a federal insider trading charge for some stocks and bonds.  I pled guilty to some of the charges.  The attempted murder charge was dropped.

I'm kind of freaking out because I have heard that my prior criminal charges can play a role in my sentencing for DUI.  All the old charges are well over 10 years old.  I'm a different person now and no longer a cocaine and Oxy addict.  How bad do the other charges look?  Will my DUI punishments be much worse?  I live in Buckhead.

Answer: Your prior criminal charges should not have a major impact on your sentencing for the DUI charge because this is your first drunk driving charge.  Your DUI lawyer can explain to the prosecutor that not only is this a novel charge for you, but all the other charges are in the distant past.  In fact, your attorney can point out that the previous allegations do not involve drinking.

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