In most DUI
cases there is a deadline of ten business days for you to send a
certain letter to the Georgia Department of Driver Services
(“DDS”). This is called a “ten-day letter” or an “ALS
letter.” Its purpose is to request a hearing on any
ADMINISTRATIVE
LICENSE SUSPENSION that may have arisen from your DUI arrest.
If the officer gave you a “Form 1205,” it is very important to timely
send this letter. Your copy of this form is usually yellow, and
letter-sized. At the bottom of the form there is a "30-day
temporary permit," but this is misleading. The real purpose of
this form is to suspend your driver's license. See “Hearing
Procedures” on the back of the form. Even if the officer did not
give you such a form, it is usually wise to send the letter as a
precaution.
The ten days begins on the day you were arrested. To determine the
deadline, count every business day (excluding weekends and holidays),
beginning the day after the arrest. Ten business days is usually
about 12 calendar days. To meet the deadline, the letter must be
postmarked, and sent CERTIFIED MAIL, on or before the tenth business
day.
This letter
should be sent even if you do not expect to contest your case.
There is no risk in sending it. It will preserve your rights
regarding any administrative suspension. It may prevent a
suspension of your license, or at least delay it until your court date
or administrative hearing date.
Mr. Hinman will prepare this letter for you as a part of the initial
consultation. If a consultation cannot be scheduled within the ten
days, we will prepare this letter for you before you come in.
(706) 278-2488
