Hall County sheriff arrested for DUI in unmarked patrol car

Written by: KC Harrington

Published March 4, 2026 @ 10:01 AM ET

HALL COUNTY, Ga. – Hall County Sheriff Gerald Jay Couch was arrested Friday morning on charges of driving under the influence, failure to maintain lane, and an open container violation following a traffic stop in Hall County.

The incident occurred around 10:30 a.m. Feb. 27 when a deputy driving an unmarked patrol vehicle observed a black Chevrolet Tahoe traveling on Green Hill Road and failing to maintain its lane. The deputy followed the SUV as it turned into a private driveway and made contact with the driver, identified as Couch, 63.

Authorities reported the deputy detected a strong odor of alcohol and observed signs of impairment, including slurred speech and unsteady movements. Because the driver was the county’s sheriff, the Georgia State Patrol was requested to handle the DUI investigation.

A state trooper responded to the scene, conducted Standardized Field Sobriety Tests, and determined Couch was under the influence of alcohol. He was taken into custody and transported to the Hall County Jail.

Couch was charged with driving under the influence, failure to maintain lane, and an open container violation. Jail records show he was booked on a $1,560 bond and later released around 6 p.m. after posting bond.

The Hall County Sheriff’s Office took possession of the county-issued SUV he had been driving and notified state officials of the incident.

Couch has served as Hall County sheriff since first being elected in 2012 and has been with the sheriff’s office since 1981. His arrest occurred roughly two months after he returned to duty following a leave of absence in December 2025 for undisclosed health reasons.

No additional information was immediately available.