There is much at stake for Georgia residents who are facing drunk driving charges. Even first-time offenders can face steep fines and court costs, probation and even jail time among other penalties.

On Tuesday, a 25-year-old Athens man reportedly tried to avoid DUI charges by tricking the alcohol breath-test. These tests are often inaccurate, so sometimes even drivers who have not had one drop to drink are worried about taking the tests.

The man reportedly was stopped very early in the morning after making an erratic turn, according to a news report. The driver said that his hand had slipped from the steering wheel during the turn, but the police officer chose to administer a Breathalyzer test.

The Breathalyzer allegedly showed that he had a blood-alcohol level of .170, but for a reason that was not given in the news report, the police administered another breath test at the police station. During this test, the police reportedly noticed that he had a penny in his mouth, thinking that this would provide a passing score on the Breathalyzer.

He was charged with DUI and improper driving, according to the news report.

Many people who are arrested on these same charges are hard-working people who have not been in trouble with the law before. A strong DUI defense attorney represents these people by investigating whether there was probable cause for the traffic stop, asking for proof that any blood or breath tests are accurate, reviewing the officers' required field sobriety test and the arresting officers' report.

Source: Athens Banner-Herald, "Penny doesn't fool DUI machine," Feb. 1, 2012