There are hundreds of ways to break the law in Georgia. There are archaic laws on the books that law enforcement departments rarely enforce. Some crimes are so common that people get arrested for them every day.
Police departments prioritize enforcement based in part on the social impact of crimes and current political priorities. They also allocate department resources to enforcement for different offenses based on how common they are. Understanding what misdemeanor offense is the most common criminal charge in Georgia can help people understand what local police departments may prioritize.
The most common crimes are traffic offenses
Misdemeanor crimes range from petty theft to criminal trespassing. However, when looking at the overall number of offenses prosecuted in the state, traffic misdemeanor crimes are the top misdemeanor offenses in Georgia. Driving under the influence (DUI) charges are incredibly common.
According to FBI statistics, there were more than 22,000 DUI arrests in Georgia in 2025, and a large percentage of those cases led to a conviction. People get arrested after car crashes or traffic stops. Both demonstrably impaired driving capabilities and elevated blood alcohol levels can be grounds for DUI charges.
The courts also frequently see many speeding or crime and reckless driving allegations. Minor drug possession offenses, public drunkenness and simple assault are also common misdemeanor offenses.
Anyone facing a DUI charge or other misdemeanor offense may benefit from discussing the matter with a criminal defense attorney. While misdemeanors are not as serious as felonies, they still warrant a proactive response from the defendant.