If you know what an administrative license suspension (ALS) hearing in Georgia is, you probably also knew you had to schedule one within 10 days of your driving under the influence (DUI) arrest. If you managed to do that, you deserve some congratulations. Few people have the initiative to actually get that done. But scheduling an event doesn't directly translate to actually going to it.
If you missed your ALS hearing, what can you do now?
Absent at ALS Hearing Rollcall
Even though you had to be the one to request the ALS hearing in the first place, you do not have to be there for it to happen. The whole purpose of this legal process is to give you a chance to challenge an impending license suspension – one that is set to trigger on the 31st day after your DUI arrest – by telling your side of the story and convincing the appointed judge that your life would be burdened without your ability to drive. Not being there is like being absent in class – the teacher is still going to go through the motions of teaching, regardless if everyone is in the classroom.
Most likely, the judge will call for any arguments as to why your driver's license should not be suspended pending your DUI trial. When no one speaks up, the hearing is finished as quickly as it began. Keep in mind that you probably already paid about $150 just to schedule the meeting. Odds are high that the state is not giving that back, even if you had a perfectly viable reason for missing the hearing, such as a medical emergency.
Acting Fast All Over Again
The criminal justice system in our country is highly praised and admired the world over for many reasons, including that there is always something else that can be done after a verdict or ruling. If you miss your scheduled ALS hearing, don't throw in the towel just yet. Instead, get ready to take yet another initiative and contact our Hinesville DUI attorneys from Balbo & Gregg, Attorneys at Law, PC. With a lawyer's help and guidance, you may be able to land another ALS hearing before the 31st day after your arrest, albeit with some convincing. It all boils down to persistence and a full understanding of the law – two attributes we most certainly have.
Call (866) 580-3089 today or fill out a free online case evaluation form right now to tell us about your case.