Hall School Board Member Charged with DUI

Mark Pettitt, who was originally arrested in December 2018 by Gainsville Police, was charged in a Sept. 13, 2019, accusation with driving under the influence of alcohol-less safe and failure to maintain lane.

He was stopped near the intersection of EE Butler and Jesse Jewell parkways.

The Forsyth County Solicitor’s Office filed an amended accusation Aug. 21, changing the charges to reckless driving and failure to maintain lane. The file became available earlier this month from the Hall County Clerk of Courts.

According to a Gainesville Police report, he declined a standardized field sobriety test and a blood test.

When an officer is investigating a suspected DUI case, the officer must read the Georgia implied consent law.

“Georgia law requires you to submit to state-administered chemical tests … for the purpose of determining if you are under the influence of alcohol or drugs,” according to the law. “If you refuse this testing, your Georgia driver’s license or privilege to drive on the highways of this state will be suspended for a minimum period of one year.

Tests can include breath, blood, or urine, and refusal of the last two forms can be used against the person in court.

A 2019 Georgia Supreme Court ruling said refusing a breath test could not be used against you in court. Law enforcement can ask a judge to issue a warrant for a blood draw.

Georgia State law also requires a clinical evaluation and the attendance of a DUI / Risk Reduction Program that’s certified/licensed by the Georgia Department of Driver’s Services before your driver’s license can be reinstated if you have been charged with any of the following:

1. DUI
2. Drug Possession
3. Other drug offenses
4. Under-age possession of drugs or alcohol

Before getting behind the wheel after having a few, consider the many reasons why you should not.

For more information about DUI School visit www.a1drivingschools.com or call (770) 962-9555!