Cases

Sauls v. State, 293 Ga. 165 (2013)

After defendant was charged with driving under the influence (DUI), the State Court, Douglas County, W. O’Neal Dettmering, J., granted defendant’s motion to suppress evidence of his refusal to submit to State administered chemical testing following his arrest. State appealed. The Court of Appeals, 728 S.E.2d 241, reversed. Defendant petitioned for writ of certiorari, which was granted. The Supreme Court held that police officer’s failure to inform defendant that test refusal could be used against him in criminal proceeding rendered notice inadequate. Court of Appeals judgment reversed.

Williams v. State, 303 Ga.App. 407 (2010)

Defendant was convicted in the State Court, Troup County, of operating commercial vehicle without having been issued class A driver’s license. Defendant appealed. The Court of Appeals, Andrews, P.J., held that evidence was sufficient to support conviction. Affirmed.

Chancellor v. Dozier, 283 Ga. 259, 658 S.E.2d 592 (2008)

IMPLIED CONSENT Defendant complained that he was denied due process because the implied consent notice read to him failed to inform him that his refusal to submit to chemical testing would result in his lifetime disqualification from having a commercial driver’s license. Court held due process does not require that the arresting officer inform the driver of all the consequences of refusing to submit to testing because the officer had made it clear that refusing the test was not a safe harbor, free of adverse consequences.

Meyer v. State, 480 SE 2d 234 – Ga: Court of Appeals (1997)

Defendant sought to have his alcohol-related driving offense record sealed after successfully completing a deferred judgment. The Court of Appeals held that, despite the deferred judgment not being considered a conviction under Georgia law, the alcohol-related driving offenses exception applied, preventing the record from being sealed. The denial of sealing was affirmed.

Roberson v. State, 491 SE 2d 864 – Ga: Court of Appeals (1997)

Defendant was driving a tractor-trailer in Murray County when stopped for speeding. The officer detected an odor of alcohol, administered a preliminary test showing a .09 BAC, and arrested Defendant for DUI in a commercial motor vehicle. A subsequent Intoxilyzer test revealed a .08 BAC. Defendant was convicted in Murray County State Court. On appeal, the Georgia Court of Appeals, in Roberson v. State, 491 S.E.2d 864 (Ga. Ct. App. Sept. 8, 1997), held that the evidence was sufficient to support the commercial DUI conviction. Affirmed.

Statutes

Adoption of Federal Regulations

What Constitutes a CMV

Major Disqualifying Offenses

Major Disqualifying Offenses (Alcohol)

Serious Traffic Offenses

Identification of Conviction

Masking Convictions

  • No reference (49 CFR 384 is not adopted but 49 CFR 383 is and disqualifications apply under 49 CFR 383.51

10-Day Posting Requirement

Disqualifications (Out of Service/Railroad Crossings)

Resources

News

Broadcast Library

Traffic Jam: How Commercial Drivers Impact Human Trafficking in Courts

Course Description:

This webcast explores the complex and pressing issue of human trafficking (both labor and sex) through the lens of judicial leadership and commercial transportation. This session sheds light on how commercial motor vehicle (CMV) drivers can play a pivotal role in perpetuating and preventing human trafficking crimes. Participants are guided through foundational frameworks, federal and state legal structures, and real-world implications of trafficking. Emphasis is placed on breaking myths, spotting signs of exploitation, and fostering proactive judicial responses in local contexts.

 

Course Objectives:

After this course, participants will be able to:

  • Understand the forms, tactics, and prevalence of human trafficking, including distinctions between sex and labor trafficking.

  • Gain practical strategies for identifying trafficking indicators and effectively respond to cases in judicial and community contexts, and

  • Comprehend the unique legal frameworks affecting Commercial Driver’s License (CDL) holders, particularly the implications of trafficking-related convictions under the No Human Trafficking on Our Roads Act.

Impaired Driving and Alcohol/Drug Issues within Commercial Drivers’ License (CDL) and Commercial Motor Vehicle Cases

Course Description:

This national webcast provides judges with a comprehensive overview of current laws and emerging issues related to impaired driving within the context of Commercial Drivers’ License (CDL) and Commercial Motor Vehicles (CMV) cases. Topics include the federal and state legal frameworks governing alcohol and drug use among commercial drivers, with a particular focus on marijuana-related offenses and enforcement challenges.

 

Course Objectives:

After this course, participants will be able to:

● Identify current CDL/CMV alcohol and drug impaired driving elements and issues;

● Explain the concept of “masking” within CDL/CMV cases and recognize its state & federal impacts; and

● Reinforce foundational knowledge of current compliance requirements for CDL/CMV impaired driving cases.

Come to Order – Episode Four

Come on the road with The National Judicial College Judicial Ambassadors as they educate judges on a wide variety of topics related to keeping America’s highways safe including CDL issues, masking, autonomous vehicles, human trafficking and more. If it happens on the highway, we talk about it here.

Episode Four: Autonomous Vehicles – January 16, 2025

In this fourth and final episode on autonomous vehicles, Judges Fowler and Williams-Byers analyze the probable cause and privacy issues that arise with autonomous vehicles. How are level one and two autonomous vehicles hindering basic traffic stops today and what happens if police stop a fully autonomous vehicle with no driver? Judges, listen to find out!

Come to Order – Episode Three

Come on the road with The National Judicial College Judicial Ambassadors as they educate judges on a wide variety of topics related to keeping America’s highways safe including CDL issues, masking, autonomous vehicles, human trafficking and more. If it happens on the highway, we talk about it here.

Episode Three: Autonomous Vehicles – December 30, 2024

In the third episode in our series on autonomous vehicles, Judge Fowler and Judge Williams-Byers analyze how advancements in vehicle technology could impact impaired driving cases. When do drivers have actual physical control over autonomous vehicles and what impact will a law’s use of the word operating versus driving impact a case? Tune in to find out!

Come to Order – Episode Two

Come on the road with The National Judicial College Judicial Ambassadors as they educate judges on a wide variety of topics related to keeping America’s highways safe including CDL issues, masking, autonomous vehicles, human trafficking and more. If it happens on the highway, we talk about it here.

Episode Two: Autonomous Vehicles – December 9, 2024

This episode of Come to Order continues the discussion on autonomous vehicles, focusing on level 4 and level 5 vehicles. The judges discuss the future of passenger vehicles at this level as well as commercial level 4 vehicles that are on the road today.

Come to Order – Episode One

Come on the road with The National Judicial College Judicial Ambassadors as they educate judges on a wide variety of topics related to keeping America’s highways safe including CDL issues, masking, autonomous vehicles, human trafficking and more. If it happens on the highway, we talk about it here.

Episode One: Autonomous Vehicles – December 2, 2024

The first of a four-part series on autonomous vehicles, this episode introduces judges to levels 0-2 vehicles in the autonomous vehicle taxonomy and discusses emerging legal issues starting to appear in courtrooms. Level 1 and Level 2 (which includes Tesla cars and trucks) are prevalent on the roads across the country today. Judicial Ambassadors Judge Thomas Fowler from Arkansas and Judge Gayle Williams-Byers lead the discussion. Hosted by NJC Communications Director Barbara Peck.