Georgia Football Player Reaches Plea Agreement on DUI Charge

We previously discussed the arrest of a 20-year old University of Georgia football player on DUI charges. Back in March, police in Athens charged the player with a number of offenses, including DUI, less safe; reckless driving; and failure to maintain his lane. Under Georgia law, a minor may be convicted of DUI with a blood-alcohol content (BAC) of as little as 0.02 percent. And a DUI, less safe, charge only requires proof of impairment, not necessarily a specific BAC level.

The case has now been resolved. In July 2024, the player entered a “no contest” plea to reckless driving, underage possession of alcohol, and two traffic-related offenses, according to ESPN. In exchange for this no-contest plea, the prosecutors dismissed the DUI, less safe, charge. The court then sentenced the player to 12 months probation, 40 hours community service, a fine of $852, and mandatory participation in an alcohol risk reduction program. The player must also agree to random drug and alcohol screenings while on probation.

“No Contest” Plea to Misdemeanors Means Probation, No Jail Time

You might think that the prosecution’s decision to drop the top-level charge of DUI, less safe, was a special accommodation given to a notable defendant. But in fact, most Georgia criminal cases–including those involving drunk driving allegations–are resolved through a negotiated plea bargain. Only a handful of cases ever proceed to a jury trial.

Such plea agreements are often beneficial to both the state and the defendant. From the prosecution’s perspective, they do not have to prove the defendant’s guilt beyond a reasonable doubt at trial. Nor do they have to worry about potential challenges to the admissibility of evidence. And even if the jury does find the defendant guilty, there is still the prospect of an appeal. As for the defendant, a plea agreement can bring a sense of certainty and closure to the proceedings. Especially in a case like this, where the player pleaded out on misdemeanor charges, the defendant can walk away without a felony conviction or jail time on their record.

At the same time, a plea agreement is not a “get out of jail free” card. The player here must still complete a term of probation and community service. If he violates any of the court’s terms, he could still be subject to possible jail time on the original charges. And there could still be additional consequences with respect to his participation on Georgia’s football team depending on university regulations.

Finally, it is important to clarify that when someone pleads “no contest,” the court still treats that the same as a guilty plea. A no-contest plea is generally an acknowledgment by the Defendant that the state has sufficient evidence to convict.

Contact Hawkins Spizman Trial Lawyers Today

A drunk driving arrest is never a guarantee of conviction. Depending on the facts and circumstances surrounding your own case, it may be possible to reach a plea agreement on reduced charges. A Board Certified Georgia DUI lawyer can advise you of your options. Call Hawkins Spizman Trial Lawyers today to schedule a free consultation. We serve clients throughout Georgia including Atlanta, Dunwoody, Alpharetta, Cobb County, Fulton County, Gwinnett County, Johns Creek and Sandy Springs.

Source:

espn.com/college-football/story/_/id/40541293/georgia-trevor-etienne-pleads-no-contest-lesser-charges