Athens Law Blog

In some cases, different laws apply depending on a person's age. Teenagers cannot legally drive until they pass their driver's test at the age of 16, and they cannot buy lottery tickets or other items until they reach 18. Of course, they cannot legally purchase or consume alcohol until the age of 21.

Though you know you raised your child to be a responsible young adult, you may still worry about some of the activities that he or she will participate in while attending the University of Georgia. You certainly want your child to get the most out of the experience, but you likely also hope that he or she will enjoy football season and cheer for the Dawgs without consuming alcohol.

When it comes to underage drinking in Georgia, there are hard lines around who can drink, and there are few exceptions to those rules. Children may be allowed to drink small amounts of alcohol in their own homes under parental supervision, but even this case is very rare and tightly regulated.

Punishments for underage possession and consumption of alcohol can be severe. Fines, community service or probation are possible parts of a sentence, but even a first violation in Georgia can result in up to a year in jail.

Drugs have a terrible effect on people's health and happiness if they are illicit or used without medical guidance. Convictions for drug possession can be just as damaging to a person's life and career. Felony convictions are particularly problematic when people need to pass background checks for jobs and civil services.

Some observers claim the effect of marijuana laws has been too harsh on minor offenders who have less or no intent to sell or conceal large amounts of the drug. A nationwide effort to soften the enforcement of these laws or repeal them altogether has reached the Peach State.

You may be one of many Georgia residents who don't pay much attention to drunk driving laws because you believe they do not apply to you. You may have a couple beers or some wine during an evening out, but you don't drive drunk. Unfortunately, this does not necessarily mean you are immune to a DUI arrest.

Even if you are not certain of the exact laws and penalties for a DUI conviction in this state, you are probably aware that in recent years, those laws have become much stricter and the penalties harsher. This is a trend that is likely to continue as lawmakers see these changes making a difference in the rate of accidents and fatalities involving drunk drivers.