Georgia Alcohol Laws
There are many rules and regulations in Georgia that pertain to alcohol. From when and where it is sold to who may purchase it, it’s important to understand the laws in this area.
In Georgia, spirits and liquor must be purchased in retail package stores. Convenience stores and grocery stores are only permitted to sell wine and beer. Alcohol sales are not permitted in stores and liquor shops on Sundays.
Depending on the county or town, some restaurants are permitted to serve alcohol on Sundays. The normal hours for alcohol sales in restaurants and bars are 6 a.m. to midnight. Servers must be 18 or older to serve alcohol in a bar or restaurant.
The legal drinking age in this state is 21. There are many penalties that may be imposed for minors under the legal age who purchase, or attempt to purchase, alcoholic beverages. A minor who is found buying alcohol faces fines, probation, and a six-month driver’s license suspension.
It is illegal for stores to sell alcohol to minors. It is also against the law for adults to provide minors with alcoholic beverages.
Georgia has open container laws. Bottles of alcohol that have been opened must be transported in the trunk of the vehicle so the driver and passengers do not have access to it.
In Georgia, it is illegal to operate a motor vehicle with a maximum blood alcohol content (BAC) of 0.08 percent or higher. If a driver’s BAC is over this limit, he or she may be charged with a “per se” violation and proven guilty of DUI based on these results.
It is illegal for a driver under the age of 21 to operate a motor vehicle with a BAC of 0.02 percent or higher. This is due to Zero Tolerance laws. Because minors should not be consuming alcohol in the first place, this limit is stricter.
Drivers with an excessively high BAC, such as .15 percent or higher, face stricter penalties. Drivers who refuse to take a breath, blood, or urine test to determine their BAC level also face greater consequences.
If you have recently been charged with an alcohol-related offense, it is important so speak with attorney Frank Gomez who specializes in these matters. To contact experienced Atlanta defense attorney Mr. Gomez, please fill out our online form.
