Georgia Police Chief Arrested on DUI Charges

A Georgia police chief was recently arrested for driving under the influence (DUI) of alcohol and open container charges.

Dillard police Chief Jeremy James Welch was stopped at a sobriety checkpoint on the night of February 1, 2019. The checkpoint was in Clayton and was designed to catch drunk drivers. According to 35-year-old Welch, he had consumed an entire six-pack of beer within a two hour period.

Upon approaching the vehicle, the trooper who was checking in with Welch stated he smelled alcohol inside of the pickup truck Welch was driving. He also observed a can of Bud Light in the center console of the vehicle. After Welch was arrested and taken back to the police station, he refused to give a blood sample for testing.

Welch later bonded out of Rabun County jail for a price of $1,200. Mayor William Gordon Robinson stated that Welch has been suspended for the time being, pending an investigation into Welch's conduct.

Depending on your job, a charge of DUI may have a significant impact on your ability to keep your job or find future employment. With the help of an experienced Georgia DUI defense attorney, you can defend your rights and best protect your ability to work.

Jobs Commonly Affected by DUI

Certain types of jobs are commonly affected by a criminal charge such as a DUI. Often it is because the person drives for a living, while in other cases it has to do with the "appearance of impropriety" a criminal charge carries and employers simply do not want to keep you.

• CDL Truck Drivers: Those with a commercial driver's license (CDL) are especially likely to lose their CDL privileges and therefore, their jobs. It is extremely critical that you fight your charges to defend your license and your right to continue working.
• Public & Elected Officials: Those in the public eye have a unique challenge when faced with a DUI charge. While it may not normally affect a person's ability to work, others may not be comfortable with letting a person keep their job. With the right defense and public outreach, you can minimize the criminal and other effects on your life.
• Teachers: Teachers are expected to set an example, and often a community is in an uproar if a teacher is charged criminally. With the right legal defense, you can challenge the charges to help protect your teaching career.
• Special Licenses or Clearances: If your job requires certain security clearances or special licenses in order to work, an often unexpected result of a DUI charge is the risk to them. Without them, you cannot work in your field, so it is critical to fight your charges all the way.

Consult a Georgia DUI Defense Attorney

The key to handling a DUI, in terms of how it may affect your employment, is to get ahead of the game. With the help of an experienced Georgia DUI defense attorney, you can defend your case and protect your rights. Contact us today for a free consultation.