Best DUI & DWI Lawyers in Vouliagmeni

About DUI & DWI Law in Vouliagmeni, Greece

Driving under the influence in Greece covers alcohol and drugs. Vouliagmeni is part of the Municipality of Vari-Voula-Vouliagmeni in the Attica region, so local enforcement follows the national Road Traffic Code and the Greek Penal Code. Police conduct regular roadside checks, especially along the coastal avenues and during weekends and holidays. If an officer suspects impairment, you may be required to take a breath test and, in some cases, a blood or urine test at a medical facility. Penalties range from administrative fines and license suspension to criminal prosecution, particularly at higher alcohol levels or when an accident occurs. Foreign visitors and residents are subject to the same rules, and proceedings usually take place in the Athens courts serving the area.

Why You May Need a Lawyer

A DUI investigation can move quickly, and early legal guidance can protect your rights. A lawyer can explain what tests you must take, when refusal becomes a separate offense, and how to communicate with police without worsening your situation. If your license is confiscated, an attorney can pursue its return or reduction of the suspension and can represent you in the misdemeanor court that typically hears DUI cases. When accidents, injuries, or high alcohol levels are involved, you may face criminal charges that carry jail exposure and a permanent record, making professional defense essential. Tourists and expatriates benefit from counsel who can coordinate with consulates, rental companies, insurers, and translators, and who understands how Greek proceedings intersect with foreign licenses and insurance policies. An attorney can also challenge the lawfulness of the stop, the calibration of testing devices, the chain of custody for blood samples, and whether proper procedures and timelines were followed.

Local Laws Overview

Legal limits. For most drivers, the legal blood alcohol concentration is 0.5 g per liter. This corresponds to about 0.25 mg per liter in breath. Lower limits apply to certain categories, typically 0.2 g per liter in blood or 0.10 mg per liter in breath for novice drivers, motorcycle riders, and many professional drivers. Even a single drink can put some drivers close to these limits depending on body weight and timing.

Testing. Police may stop vehicles during checkpoints or based on observed driving behavior. You can be asked to perform a preliminary breath test and then an evidentiary breath test. If drugs are suspected, officers may order a medical examination and laboratory testing. Refusal to undergo lawful testing is a separate offense that can lead to immediate arrest, fines, license suspension, and criminal charges comparable to high alcohol readings.

Penalties. Administrative measures can include on-the-spot fines, confiscation of your license, and temporary immobilization or impoundment of the vehicle. At higher alcohol levels or if aggravating factors exist, you may face criminal prosecution, possible detention, a court appearance on the next working day, longer license suspension, and a criminal record upon conviction. Penalties can increase for repeat offenses within a set period. Causing an accident while impaired can trigger heavier charges under dangerous driving provisions, especially if there are injuries or fatalities.

Foreign licenses and visitors. Authorities can seize an EU license for the suspension period and record the offense. Non-EU drivers can also face local suspension orders affecting their right to drive in Greece. Rental vehicles may be towed or held until released by the police, and the rental agreement may impose additional contractual penalties. Consular notifications are available upon request for foreign nationals.

Court process. Most DUI cases are handled as misdemeanors in the Athens courts that have territorial jurisdiction over Vouliagmeni. Summary trials can be scheduled quickly. You have the right to counsel and interpretation if you do not speak Greek. Administrative actions, such as license suspension, may be appealed through designated procedures with strict deadlines.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the legal alcohol limit for drivers in Vouliagmeni

For most drivers the legal limit is 0.5 g per liter of blood or about 0.25 mg per liter of breath. Lower limits around 0.2 g per liter blood and 0.10 mg per liter breath generally apply to novice drivers, motorcycle riders, and professional drivers. Exceeding these limits triggers penalties that escalate with the measured level.

Can I refuse a breathalyzer test

Refusing a lawful test is a separate offense and usually results in immediate arrest, fines, and license suspension. In practice, refusal is treated seriously and can be penalized similarly to high alcohol readings. You may request that a blood test be performed, but refusal of all testing is risky and typically harmful to your case.

What happens during a roadside DUI stop

Police will request your identification and license, observe your behavior, and may administer a screening breath test. If there is evidence of impairment, you will be given an evidentiary breath test and possibly escorted for medical testing. Your license can be confiscated on the spot depending on the reading, and you may be held for court if criminal charges apply.

Do I have the right to a lawyer and an interpreter

Yes. You have the right to contact a lawyer and to have an interpreter if you do not understand Greek. Inform the officers as early as possible. If you are a foreign national, you can also request that your consulate be notified.

Will I go to jail for a first offense

For lower alcohol levels, penalties are often administrative and do not involve jail, though each case is fact specific. Higher levels, accidents, injuries, refusal, or repeat offenses can lead to criminal prosecution with potential jail sentences. Courts may convert short sentences to alternative penalties depending on the circumstances and prior record.

How long can my license be suspended

Suspension periods vary with the alcohol level, prior offenses, and whether aggravating factors exist. They can range from a few months to significantly longer for repeat or serious cases. A lawyer can seek temporary driving relief or challenge the suspension through the available administrative or judicial processes.

What if I am a tourist or hold a foreign license

You are subject to Greek law while driving in Greece. Police can confiscate your license or restrict your driving privileges locally. Your rental company and insurer may impose additional consequences. Contact a local lawyer promptly and notify your consulate if you need assistance.

Can DUI charges be reduced or dismissed

Possible defenses include challenging the legality of the stop, the accuracy and calibration of breath devices, the collection and storage of blood samples, the timing of tests, and procedural errors. Case outcomes depend on the evidence, your record, and the court. Early legal intervention improves the chances of a favorable resolution.

What is the difference between alcohol DUI and drug DUI

Alcohol DUI relies primarily on breath or blood alcohol measurements. Drug DUI involves suspicion of impairing substances and typically requires medical examination and laboratory analysis. Both can result in criminal charges if impairment is established, and penalties can be severe when accidents occur.

Will a DUI affect my insurance and travel

A DUI can increase insurance premiums and may lead to policy restrictions. For foreign drivers, a Greek conviction may have consequences in your home jurisdiction, particularly within the EU. Some countries ask about criminal records on entry forms. Consult a lawyer about potential cross-border effects.

Additional Resources

Hellenic Police Traffic Services for Attica.

Ministry of Infrastructure and Transport for the Road Traffic Code.

Municipality of Vari-Voula-Vouliagmeni Citizen Service Centers for administrative guidance.

Athens Bar Association for lawyer referrals with DUI experience.

Hellenic Ombudsman for complaints about public authority conduct.

Your national consulate in Athens if you are a foreign national needing assistance.

Next Steps

Prioritize safety and cooperate lawfully at the scene. Ask to contact a lawyer and, if needed, an interpreter. Do not make unnecessary admissions and avoid guessing about how much you drank.

Document everything as soon as possible, including the time of your last drink, any food consumed, medications, the timing of tests, and names of officers or witnesses. Keep all paperwork provided by police.

Consult a local DUI lawyer promptly. Bring your identification, license details, test results or receipts, medical information, and any accident documentation. Quick action is vital because court dates and appeal deadlines can be very short.

Discuss with your lawyer whether to challenge the stop or tests, how to address license suspension, and strategies for court. If you are a foreign national, notify your consulate and your insurer or rental company as appropriate.

This guide is general information, not legal advice. Laws and procedures change, and outcomes depend on the facts. A lawyer who practices in the Athens area and handles DUI cases can provide advice tailored to your situation.