Here is a major news item (or at least a popular news item) that has generated a lot of questions for Gwinnett County DUI attorneys and Gwinnett County driver's license suspension attorneys:

Lindsay Lohan Has Been Getting Good Marks in DUI Class

The rules are not all the same between Gwinnett County, Georgia, and Los Angeles County, California. But regardless of the jurisdiction, it is common to see DUI offenders receive a fine or jail sentence after a conviction, with some of that fine or time suspended.

During a period of probation, the offender has to stay out of trouble, and they need to do some things in order to stay on and complete their probation. In the more serious cases, this could involve a no-drinking order, and/or mandatory attendance at meetings of Alcoholics Anonymous.

Nearly all cases, though, involve attending some informational classes about the effects of alcohol abuse, the dangers posed by intoxicated drivers, how offenders can begin to reconsider their prior habits, etc.

Lindsay Lohan was ordered to attend just such a class as a condition of her probation. Here is what a report says about her progress:

  • Ms. Lohan has been respectful and sober at class sessions
  • She is in good standing with the class
  • She has attended all alcohol education classes
  • She has missed some AA meetings, group sessions, and interview sessions, but has attended most of them

Apparently she is able to remain in good standing even though she has missed some of the sessions she was supposed to attend. Most Gwinnett County DUI attorneys would recommend a perfect attendance record for anyone on probation in Georgia.

Probation is nothing to "fool around" with. If the probation officer believes someone has violated probation, that person is going to have a LOT of trouble. Here's what usually happens: the offender is "violated," (found to be in violation of probation), and given all or part of the suspended fine and/or jail sentence. If that wasn't bad enough, if the violation was an arrest for a new offense, the sentence after conviction for the new offense will be higher because of the offender's "criminal history."

If Lindsay Lohan was getting her advice from a Gwinnett County DUI attorney, it would be that even though she has been doing pretty well with her probation, she could and should do even better. It's important.

Source: People "Lindsay Lohan Gets Good Grades in Her DUI Class" May 18, 2010                                                           aar