Savannah DUI Defense Attorney
Most defense attorneys have never been trained in field sobriety testing. They cannot spot the errors police officers make during DUI stops because they do not know what to look for. At Robichaux Law Firm, attorney Scott C. Robichaux holds the same certifications as law enforcement in Standard Field Sobriety Testing (SFST) and Advanced Roadside Impaired Driving Enforcement (ARIDE).
He was a former prosecutor who handled felony DUI and vehicular homicide cases. He knows exactly how the state builds drunk driving cases and where their evidence breaks down.
Challenging DUI Evidence With Insider-Level Training
DUI cases are not won by accepting an officer’s version of events. They are won by attacking the evidence at its source.
Field sobriety tests and impairment evaluations are not casual observations. They are technical procedures governed by strict rules. When those rules are ignored or misunderstood, the entire case weakens. We do not assume the evidence is valid. We take it apart step by step, the same way the state was trained to build it.
Standard Field Sobriety Testing, known as SFST, is the system officers rely on to claim alcohol impairment. These include the eye test, the walk-and-turn and the one-leg stand.
Each test has precise instructions, timing requirements and scoring criteria. Small deviations matter, and missed instruction, poor testing surface, improper footwear or environmental distractions can turn a supposed failure into unreliable evidence. Because Scott Robichaux is SFST certified, he knows how these tests are meant to be given and how officers regularly fall short.
ARIDE training plays a role, too. Advanced Roadside Impaired Driving Enforcement focuses on identifying drug impairment and mixed alcohol and drug cases. These charges are often pushed hard, even when the signs are vague or misread. ARIDE requires layered evaluations and recognition of medical conditions that can mimic impairment. When officers skip steps or overstate conclusions, the state’s case becomes vulnerable.
This training creates a clear advantage in court because it:
- Identifies improper test administration before the state explains it away
- Exposes misinterpretation of eye movement, balance or divided attention tasks
- Challenges drug impairment claims without a proper ARIDE foundation
- Forces prosecutors to defend procedures they expected to go unchallenged
Scott’s background as a former prosecutor gives him an edge. He knows how DUI cases are built, charged and defended by the state. He also understands which weaknesses actually move the needle and which ones force real concessions. This combination of prosecutorial insight and advanced technical training gives you a defense that not many people facing DUI charges have access to. Our defense approach is deliberate and aggressive as it:
- Challenges police conclusions instead of reacting to them
- Controls the narrative through procedure, not assumptions
- Applies pressure early before flawed evidence becomes accepted
We do not just argue your case. We dissect the state’s evidence with the precision of someone who has stood on both sides of the courtroom.
What Sets Us Apart?
Scott C. Robichaux completed the identical training that police officers receive to conduct field sobriety tests and recognize drug impairment. This certification allows him to analyze every aspect of your traffic stop and identify procedural errors that could lead to reduced charges or dismissal.
We examine your case for mistakes and constitutional violations:
- Improper administration of field sobriety tests
- Lack of reasonable suspicion for the initial stop
- Breathalyzer calibration errors or testing protocol failures
- Violations of your Fourth Amendment rights
- Inaccurate drug recognition evaluations
Scott C. Robichaux is an effective, results-oriented DUI attorney with a proven track record of significant wins for our clients:
- DUI & Failure to Maintain Lane | Result: DISMISSED
- DUI – Multiple Substances | Result: REDUCED TO RECKLESS DRIVING
- DUI (Pooler Municipal) | Result: REDUCED TO RECKLESS DRIVING
- DUI (Chatham County) | Result: DISMISSED
When officers fail to follow proper procedures during a DUI investigation, we challenge the prosecution’s evidence and fight for better outcomes.
Defending All Types Of Impaired Driving Charges
We handle DUI cases involving alcohol, prescription drugs, or other dugs including marijuana. Scott’s ARIDE certification provides advanced knowledge in drug recognition that few Georgia attorneys possess. This training proves critical when defending clients accused of driving under the influence of prescription medications, marijuana or other controlled substances. We also defend boating under the influence (BUI) charges throughout Georgia’s coastal waters.
What You’re Facing: First-Time Versus Repeat Offenses
Georgia DUI penalties vary based on prior convictions. A first-time DUI in Georgia can result in:
- Fines up to $1,000
- Up to 12 months in jail
- License suspension for up to one year
- Mandatory DUI school and community service
Repeat offenses and felony DUI charges carry harsher consequences, including longer jail sentences and permanent license revocation. As a former prosecutor, Scott understands how the state evaluates these cases and how to negotiate from a position of strength.
Act Quickly To Protect Your License
You have 30 days from your arrest to request a license suspension hearing. Missing this deadline could cost you your driving privileges. We act immediately to preserve your rights and build your defense.
Can I Turn Down A Breathalyzer Test?
Georgia’s implied consent law means refusing a breath test could lead to automatic license suspension. However, refusal does not guarantee a conviction. We analyze whether officers followed proper procedures and whether the state can prove impairment without chemical test results.
Frequently Asked Questions About Georgia DUI Defense
Facing a drunk driving charge in Georgia raises immediate questions about your driver’s license, freedom and future under state law. Below, Scott answers some of the most pressing legal questions that clients bring to our criminal defense firm. This guidance aims to clarify how evidence, administrative rules and procedural rights function under Georgia law.
Will I go to jail for a first DUI in Georgia?
While Georgia law mandates a 24-hour minimum jail sentence for a first conviction, the time spent in custody during initial arrest booking often satisfies this requirement. Judges retain broad sentencing discretion, and terms can extend up to 12 months alongside steep fines, community service and license suspension.
However, an arrest is not an automatic conviction. Evaluating procedural errors in a traffic stop or identifying flaws in field test administration can lead to reduced charges or an outright dismissal. Identifying these weaknesses early in the legal process remains the primary factor in mitigating potential statutory penalties.
Can I refuse the official breathalyzer at the station?
Yes, you have the physical right to refuse the official state-administered chemical test at the police station or medical facility. However, under Georgia’s implied consent law, refusing triggers an automatic administrative driver’s license suspension for up to one year without a limited permit. State prosecutors may also attempt to use your refusal in court as implied evidence of guilt.
Despite these refusal consequences, withholding chemical testing deprives the state of concrete scientific data, forcing prosecutors to rely heavily on subjective officer observations. Examining whether the arresting officer properly read the statutory implied consent notice is a critical step in challenging any proposed suspension.
When an officer issues a refusal notice, Georgia initiates a pending Administrative License Suspension (ALS) – a civil process managed by the Department of Driver Services (DDS) that operates independently from your criminal DUI case. To halt this automatic penalty, you have 30 days from the arrest date to file an administrative appeal for an ALS hearing with DDS or apply for an ignition interlock permit.
Is it possible to fight a DUI if I failed the field tests?
Failing field sobriety tests does not mean your case is unwinnable, as these evaluations are inherently subjective and frequently administered incorrectly by law enforcement. Environmental hazards, poor weather, improper footwear, physical conditions and extreme nervousness can all cause a sober driver to perform poorly on balance and coordination tasks.
Furthermore, officers must follow rigid testing procedures set by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA); any deviation compromises the validity of their prosecutorial conclusions. Reviewing the officer’s dashcam and body camera footage against official scoring criteria and administration protocols can determine whether law enforcement strictly complied with required testing standards.
Call For Your Free DUI Defense Consultation
Do not plead guilty without knowing your options. Former prosecutor Scott C. Robichaux will review your case and explain your defenses. Call us at 912-912-5807 or use this online form today for your free and confidential consultation.
We defend clients throughout Savannah, Chatham, Bryan, Effingham, and neighboring counties.