7-Time DUI Offender Sentenced Without Intox Machine

LAWRENCEVILLE, GA -- The Gwinnett County Solicitor’s Office on March 13 convicted a seven-time DUI offender without the use of an intox machine, previously used to bolster the proof of guilt of defendants in DUI cases, in the case of State v. Michael Chatelain, 2018D-01935-6.

The defendant was sentenced to two years of work release confinement and served with a Habitual Violator license suspension.

“Gwinnett County Assistant Solicitor Amina Bakari achieved an outstanding victory by using her superior legal skills, the testimony of the arresting officer, witnesses and her unique opening and closing speech to convince the jury of the guilt of the defendant,” said Gwinnett County Solicitor General Brian Whiteside.

County Assistant Solicitor Amina Bakari

The state was unable to advise the jury of the defendant’s refusal to take a blood alcohol test under the Georgia Supreme Court’s recent decision in State v. Elliot, S18A1204 (decided Feb. 18, 2019).