Fannin County GA DUI Lawyer - Fannin County GA DUI Attorney
Blue Ridge GA DUI Lawyer - Blue Ridge GA DUI Attorney
Your Choice for Fannin County DUI Defense
The Law Office of Richard Lawson is a law firm that specializes in DUI Defense. Our founder, Richard Lawson, is a former DUI prosecutor, and therefore, knows every aspect of your case. Please see his reviews on Avvo and contact us for a hassle-free, no-cost consultation.
When you have been arrested and charged with DUI your driving privilege and your liberty is at stake. For over 25 years, Richard Lawson has successfully handled DUI cases from both sides of the courtroom. He has often been asked to be a speaker at legal seminars throughout Georgia and the United States. You can trust him and his team of DUI Lawyers in Fannin County Georgia with your DUI case.
At the Law Office of Richard Lawson, you are more than just a number. We assure you that your case will never get lost in a sea of cases. You can count on getting the personal attention and advocacy you deserve.
How the Prosecution Proves a DUI Case
For a DUI case to be successfully established against a suspected drunk driver, The State of Georgia must determine the following:
- That there was reasonable, articulable suspicion to pull the suspected driver's vehicle over. Acting on anonymous tips that a driver could be intoxicated is insufficient for a traffic stop.
- That the suspected drunk driver was operating a motor vehicle; often an issue in traffic accidents.
- Was there probable cause to arrest the driver? Probable cause to arrest is based on what the officer observes of the suspect's driving, the odor of alcohol, and the performance on field sobriety tests.
- The suspected drunk driver was under the influence of alcohol or drugs to an extent that it made them incapable of operating a motor vehicle safely. The State of Georgia can prove a driver was under the influence of alcohol or drugs by the chemical test results or their observation testimony. Luckily, there are many requirements that the State must abide by before the results of chemical testing or officer observation evidence are admissible in court.
The first step you should take if you have been arrested for DUI is to call a Fannin County DUI Attorney right away. At the Law Office of Richard Lawson, we have a tremendous amount of legal experience in defending individuals facing charges of DUI in Fannin County and throughout Georgia with stellar case results.
Fannin County DUI and Breath Tests
Driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs is a serious offense. Most DUI arrests come out of a motor vehicle stop by law enforcement. Preliminary breath tests (PBT) such as the AlcoSensor are given by the police at the scene of the vehicle stop. The test is designed to assist police in determining if there is probable cause to arrest a driver for DUI. The science behind the PBT is similar to that of the machine used at the police station.
Breath tests are given at the police station by a person who is certified to operate the machine. The device must be certified as well. The breath test has two parts, which require the suspect to breathe into a tube. Breath testing can only be done after a driver has been under constant observation for at least fifteen minutes. Any driver with a blood alcohol content (BAC) of .08 or more is considered legally intoxicated.
Breath tests are known to be one of the most useful tools in determining BAC in a driver. However, they are not infallible. If your Fannin County DUI Attorney is knowledgeable in the ways of undermining the credibility of the breath test, you could have your case dismissed.
DUI and Drugs
The State of Georgia is harsh concerning driving and drugs. If you are found to have any amount of an illegal drug, or even a legal prescription drug that has impaired your ability to drive; you can be charged with a crime as if you had been drinking and driving. The penalties are severe.
In Georgia, law enforcement does not need evidence of impairment if there is an illegal substance in your blood or urine while you are operating a motor vehicle. That means it is crucial to have the assistance of an experienced DUI Lawyer in Blue Ridge, GA. If you have been charged with DUI-Drugs, our Fannin County DUI Attorneys are ready to help. We have been successfully defending those arrested and charged with DUI for over 25 years.
Blue Ridge GA DUI-Drugs Attorneys
At the Law Office of Richard Lawson, our Fannin County DUI Lawyers and Blue Ridge Georgia DUI Attorneys do not just stop at DUI Defense. They are experts in the areas of chemistry, pharmacology, and toxicology. That set of skills is essential in providing you an effective defense. Our DUI Lawyers in Blue Ridge, GA can help you if your case involves the following:
- An allegation that you were operating a motor vehicle while “high” or under the influence of drugs
- Possessing drugs in your vehicle, whether illegal or other controlled substance
- An allegation of impairment related to a prescription drug
- Subjective field sobriety testing
How to measure DUI-Drugs impairment is a controversy, and as a result, a considerable number of drug-related DUI cases are more than defendable with the assistance and advice of a Blue Ridge Georgia DUI Lawyer. There are times when a blood or urine test does not determine impairment. Seek legal help from a DUI Lawyer in Fannin County if you have questions regarding your Fannin County DUI-Drugs case.
30-Day Warning!
If you have been arrested for DUI in Georgia, you have only thirty days to keep your driver's license from suspension. You (or your Fannin County GA DUI Attorney) must file a request for an Administrative License Suspension (ALS) Hearing or an ignition interlock device. The State assesses a fee of $150 to file the hearing request. If you or your attorney does not file for the hearing, your license will be suspended. If you refused the testing of your breath, blood, or urine, your license would be suspended for one year, with no opportunity for a permit to drive.
How a Traffic Stop Differs from an Arrest
You need to know your rights by understanding the difference between a traffic stop and being under arrest.
A traffic stop is a limited and public detainment of a driver. An arrest, however, is a type of detainment in which a person is not allowed to leave. Whether or not an arrest has occurred is based on the circumstances and details of each case. An arrest could include law enforcement questioning you in the back of their car, police station, or just being told by an officer that you cannot leave.
At the traffic stop, an officer does not have to read you the Miranda warning—that says that anything you say can be used against you, you have the right to remain silent, and you have a right to an attorney. The Miranda warning must be read to you after arrest so that the police may question you.
What most people do not know is that most incriminating statements and behavior in a DUI case happens during the traffic stop. Since the police usually do not advise a motorist of their rights during a traffic stop, you need to make sure to know your rights before it happens.
FANNIN COUNTY COURT SYSTEM
Municipal Court of Blue Ridge, GA
The location of your DUI arrest in Fannin County determines which court would have jurisdiction over your DUI case. If you were arrested in the City of Blue Ridge, GA, you need an experienced Blue Ridge GA DUI Lawyer to defend you in court. Blue Ridge, Georgia Municipal Court is held at Blue Ridge City Hall at 480 West First Street, Blue Ridge, Georgia 30513. The Honorable Robert Sneed is the Municipal Court Judge. Call (706) 632-2091 for further information. If you need a DUI Lawyer in Blue Ridge GA, contact the Law Office of Richard Lawson. We have a Blue Ridge Georgia DUI Attorney waiting to speak with you about your case.
McCaysville Municipal Court
If you were arrested for DUI in the City of McCaysville, you need a McCaysville DUI Lawyer to defend you in McCaysville Municipal Court. The Honorable Robert Sneed is the Municipal Court Judge, and Joy C. Walden is the Chief Clerk. Court is held at McCaysville City Hall at 223 Blue Ridge Drive, Mccaysville, GA 30555. Hours of operation are Monday through Friday, 8 AM until 5 PM. Call (706) 492-4921 for further information, and call us to speak with a DUI Lawyer in McCaysville right away.
Fannin County Probate Court GA
If you were arrested in Morganton or an unincorporated area of Fannin County such as Mineral Bluff or Epworth, your case would be heard in Fannin County Probate Court. The Honorable R. Scott Kiker is the Municipal Court Judge, and Jennifer Dickey is the Chief Court Clerk. Court is held at 400 West Main Street, Suite 204, Blue Ridge, Georgia 30513. Office hours are Monday through Friday, 8:30 AM until 5 PM. Call (706) 632-3011 for more information. Choose an experienced Fannin County GA DUI Lawyer to defend your case in Fannin County Probate Court.
Superior Court of Fannin County GA
Superior Court has jurisdiction over all felony cases. Fannin County Superior Court is part of the Appalachian Judicial Circuit, which also includes Gilmer and Pickens counties. There are three judges serving the bench: Chief Judge Brenda Weaver, Judge Roger Bradley, and Judge Amanda Mercier. Dana Chastain is the Clerk of Court. Court is held at the Fannin County Courthouse at 400 West Main Street, Blue Ridge, Georgia 30513. If you are facing a felony Blue Ridge GA DUI charge in Fannin County Superior Court, contact a DUI Lawyer in Blue Ridge, Georgia to fight for your rights in court.
The Chief Prosecuting Officer for Fannin County Superior Court is the District Attorney's Office. The District Attorney for Fannin County is B. Alison Sosebee. Her contact information is:
Alison Sosebee, District Attorney
Fannin County Superior Court
400 West Main Street
Blue Ridge, Georgia 30513
(706) 632-2496
Contact Us
At the Law Office of Richard Lawson, we understand Georgia DUI law and have handled thousands of DUI cases. Let us help you obtain the best possible outcome for your case. We welcome the opportunity to serve you. If you have been arrested for DUI in Fannin County GA, you do not have time to waste. Contact us today to speak with a knowledgeable and experienced Fannin County Georgia DUI Attorney as soon as possible.
Our Attorneys
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Richard Lawson
Managing Partner at Lawson & Berry:
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Kimberly A. Berry
Partner at Lawson & Berry:
Fannin County DUI Resources
Fannin County Sheriff's Department
Administrative Office of the Courts
