Georgia DUI Lawyer Richard Lawson - Top- Rated Georgia DUI Attorney
Experience is the Difference:
Georgia DUI Lawyer Richard Lawson has devoted his career to DUI Defense in Georgia. He is a former DUI prosecutor in Metro Atlanta and North Georgia. He now defends people charged with DUI throughout the State of Georgia in all municipal courts, state courts, superior courts, and probate courts. Georgia DUI Attorney Richard Lawson is the top-rated and most reviewed DUI Lawyer in Georgia. Our reviews can be found on Avvo. We specialize in Georgia DUI Defense and have Georgia DUI Defense Lawyers available to help 24 hours a day. We are serious about being available for you because your problems deserve the immediate attention of a Georgia DUI Lawyer. Put his more than 25 years of Georgia DUI Defense experience to work for you.
Georgia DUI Attorney Richard Lawson is trained by the same people who are prosecuting your case and as a Standardized Field Sobriety Testing Instructor.If charged with DUI in Georgia, contact Georgia DUI Attorney Richard Lawson today for a free consultation. He is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week. The first step in your Georgia DUI Defense is the ten-day letter. This letter requests your ALS Hearing. Without this hearing request, the State of Georgia will suspend your driver's license or privilege to drive in Georgia.
30 Day Warning!
When you are arrested in Georgia for DUI, you only have thirty days to file your hearing request for your ALS hearing. If you don't send this letter, your Georgia driver's license or privilege to drive in Georgia will be suspended. In the event of an alleged refusal to submit to testing, your suspension will be for 12 months without any permit to drive.
Georgia DUI / DWI Laws and Penalties:
A Georgia DUI arrest may be embarrassing, aggravating, or confusing. Our law firm is ready to help you achieve the best results possible and get back on track quickly. A DUI arrest often means facing jail time, steep fines, and driver's license suspension. In Georgia, Georgia, driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol is known as DUI, not DWI. Georgia DUI Penalties can be harsh, but not all penalties have to happen. Hiring the best Georgia DUI Lawyers can help you avoid these severe penalties. Our Georgia DUI Attorneys always look for alternative sentences and possible defenses to your Georgia DUI Case.
Certain statutory minimums and maximums are required for DUI offenses. However, each case is unique. A first time DUI offense in Georgia, with no aggravating circumstances such as an accident or young children present in the vehicle, carries a maximum penalty of 12 months to be served either in jail or on probation. There is a minimum of 24 hours to be served in the Georgia jail with the remainder of the 12 months served on probation.
A minimum community service penalty of 40 hours, as well as DUI School, is frequently required as well. Our Georgia DUI site contains all the information you need to know about a variety of topics concerning DUI cases and arrest.
If you have had prior DUI offenses, then the consequences will be even more severe. There can be additional time in jail and a suspension of your drivers license. With a defense, you may be able to avoid these consequences.
Do You Need a Georgia DUI Attorney:
People do not always feel they need a Georgia DUI lawyer, especially for a first time DUI charge. However, DUI charges often involve many technicalities. DUI is among the most complicated misdemeanor offenses because DUI charges are a traffic offense, as well as a crime that requires scientific and chemical evidence. There are many variables involved with blood or breath testing methods.
In addition to the ever possible human error, there can be malfunctions with the devices and instruments used. In DUI prosecutions, even when there is no test of blood, breath, or urine, officers rely on field sobriety tests and other measures to make a determination whether or not a DUI offense has occurred. They are subject to scrutiny.
Many factors play a role in DUI cases including the weather, the training and experience of law enforcement, passengers in the car, the kind of shoes the driver is wearing, and more. Further, even whether the driver is physically ill adds the implication of medications that the driver may be taking, especially if the driver is tired or nervous.
Every DUI case is individual, and a simple irrelevant statement or ill-advisement from law enforcement can make a world of difference in the case. It is for these reasons and more why you need a lawyer who has the knowledge and experience to recognize inconsistencies and errors. The answer is very apparent; you need a Georgia DUI Lawyer.
Choosing a DUI Lawyer in Georgia:
Choosing a DUI Lawyer in Georgia is the most important step in your DUI defense. A DUI lawyer in Georgia, who is an expert, will thoroughly analyze the evidence in detail leaving no stone unturned. Mr. Lawson begins his cases with the aim of getting charges reduced or dismissed and plans ahead a full strategy to contest the case. The services of a lawyer who is dedicated to his DUI practice and its complexities can mean the difference between losing your license and failing to get the positive outcome that you need. Mr. Lawson and his team of DUI attorneys maintain a 24/7 law practice. Contact Mr. Lawson today for a consultation with the best team of DUI lawyers in Georgia. You will be put in touch with a top-rated Georgia DUI Attorney in Georgia.
If you truly wish to contest your Georgia DUI case with the best results, you will need to secure a Georgia DUI lawyer. Attorney Richard S. Lawson and his talented staff of attorneys are on call and ready to help you get the best results possible in your DUI, drug or alcohol-related case. We serve all of Georgia, Atlanta, Metro Atlanta, and North Georgia. Contact us today. We are here 24/7, including nights, weekends, and holidays because your problems do not wait until Monday morning. We provide Georgia DUI Information when you need it most.
Georgia DUI Practice Areas
GEORGIA DUI PRACTICE AREAS
Georgia DUI By Out-of-State Driver
Most people do not realize that being an out of state driver can have a significant impact on the type of advice they receive in regards to a DUI arrest. An out of state driver will face many issues that a Georgia driver will not face, especially a potential license suspension. While the State of Georgia can only suspend your privilege to drive within the state, any suspension in this state will be reported to your home state. Your home state will control whether your driver's license will be suspended and for what length of time. The Law Office of Richard Lawson routinely handles DUI cases for out-of-state drivers and is experienced with these issues.
Even if this is your first DUI arrest, you will be facing harsh consequences including a license suspension, jail time, a monetary fine, probation and other conditions. You will need a Georgia DUI attorney to evaluate your case and look for any possible defenses to the charge. If your first offense is mishandled in any way, it could affect any subsequent lifetime arrest. An arrest for a first DUI in Georgia does not mean you have to have a lifetime criminal record. There are defenses to a 1st DUI in Georgia. Remember, you only have thirty days to protect your driving privilege. Hire the Best Georgia DUI Lawyers today.
A second DUI in Georgia carries significantly harsher penalties than a first offense. There may be strategies available to your defense depending on how your first DUI was handled. A second DUI conviction could lead to 72 hours in jail, a three-year license suspension, installation of an ignition interlock device, and substance abuse counseling. Because the risks are high, it is imperative that you contact a DUI attorney today to talk about your case. Few people get the minimum punishment on a second DUI in Georgia. Reductions in your potential consequences for a second DUI charge in Georgia do not happen automatically.
A third DUI within ten years in Georgia is a high and aggravated misdemeanor. Because it is labeled “high and aggravated,” the amount of earned time allowance will be limited for jail sentences. That means if you are convicted, you will spend each and every day in jail without any "good time credit." If this is a third DUI in five years, you will be facing a mandatory license suspension for up to 5 years. You will also be declared a habitual violator. If you are caught driving within the 5-year period, you will be charged with the felony offense of Habitual Violator - HV. If you are facing being declared a habitual violator, contact the top-rated DUI Defense firm in Georgia.
A fourth DUI in Georgia is now a felony. If you have been arrested for a 4th DUI in Georgia since 2008, you will be charged with Felony DUI in Georgia. The maximum penalty for a 4th DUI conviction in Georgia within ten years is five years in jail and a $5,000.00 fine plus court surcharges. If you are facing a felony charge, you need immediate legal help. Having a Georgia Felony DUI is a serious matter that can change your life. You are facing the prospect of losing your freedom and your drivers license. Take immediate care and get immediate attention now. We are always here to help you.
Any person declared a habitual violator will have his or her driver's license revoked for five years. After two years, you may apply for a probationary driver's license for up to three years if you meet certain conditions, and you would suffer extreme hardship if the probationary license were not issued. Certain restrictions can be placed on your use of the probationary license such as: specific places you can travel to and from, routes you are allowed to travel, times of travel, and the particular vehicles you are allowed to operate. You may have options if you are facing declaration as a habitual violator; contact a Georgia DUI lawyer today.
Georgia has an administrative penalty, separate from the criminal proceedings, for any driver that refuses to take a state-administered test or a state-administered test shows that your blood alcohol concentration was 0.08 grams percent or more. This penalty can be a 12-month suspension of your Georgia Driver's license or, for out-of-state drivers, your privilege to drive within the state. A Georgia DUI attorney may be able to keep you driving and prevent the suspension of your license if you contact our office within thirty days of your arrest, but time is of the essence.
Georgia's DUI laws are complicated and can lead to extremely harsh penalties that can affect your ability to work, go to school, and seek future employment. You are facing civil penalties such as a license suspension in addition to criminal penalties including jail time, fines, and a license suspension. Some deadlines can drastically affect how your case proceeds and you will need the advice and counsel of an experienced DUI attorney to help you through the process.
Violation of Probation in Georgia
Violation of probation can carry severe consequences that can sometimes be avoided with the intervention of an attorney. Probation violations can reopen your original case to allow the judge to re-sentence you, and the judge will likely not have much sympathy. If you are facing the revocation of your probation, contact a Georgia DUI lawyer immediately. It can mean the difference between your freedom and jail-time.
Georgia DUI Child Endangerment
A DUI arrest in Georgia involving a child under the age of 14 being present in your vehicle may find you facing charges of DUI - child endangerment along with DUI charges. DUI – child endangerment charges are considered as separate DUI offenses that can lead to a declaration as a habitual violator, which carries severe license penalties. The charges could also be used against you in any potential child custody or divorce proceedings. For every child in a vehicle, you are being accused of a separate DUI offense. You can be charged with a Felony DUI from one single incident.
Minor in Possession of Alcohol - MIP
Many MIP offenses could lead to a license suspension or even penalties from your school, including expulsion. An attorney may be able to negotiate an outcome so that the charges are removed from your criminal record so that a mistake at such a young age does not affect you for the rest of your life. Underage Possession of Alcohol can be on your record for life. It can also suspend your driver's license.
Choosing a DUI Lawyer in Georgia
Few Georgia lawyers have dedicated their practice to DUI law. Attorney Richard Lawson's law practice specializes in DUI Defense. He knows exactly what to look for when evaluating your case and will be able to spot any potential defenses. The time to fight your case is while it's pending. There is nothing that can be done later on if you have a conviction on your record.
Even if there is significant evidence against you, procedures during the arrest process may not have been correctly followed, and certain evidence may be challenged so that is inadmissible at trial and cannot be used against you. Georgia DUI Defense is complicated and should only be handled by attorneys knowledgeable about the latest case law and DUI defenses. Your Best Georgia DUI Defense Begins Here.
Breath Tests and Blood Tests in Georgia DUI Cases
The most condemning evidence against you will likely be the results of any breath or blood test you may have submitted to showing your blood alcohol content the night of the arrest. Our Georgia DUI lawyers work with experts to challenge the validity of test results, which may lead to the results being suppressed and inadmissible at trial, which can also lead to the prosecution reopening plea negotiations. Never assume guilt, even if you "failed" a Georgia Breath Test.
These tests are frequently administered incorrectly, and the scoring is very subjective. Many factors can affect the reliability of these tests including medical conditions, road conditions, the age or weight of the driver and environmental conditions. Your Georgia DUI attorney should be certified by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration to be able to evaluate accurately whether the officer administered and scored the field sobriety tests correctly. Your lawyer will also analyze the patrol car video, which will show your speech pattern, steadiness, and general appearance.
Accidents and Serious Injury by Vehicle in Georgia
DUI convictions in Georgia already carry severe penalties, but if you were involved in an alcohol-related accident and subsequently arrested for DUI the consequences may increase significantly. That is especially true if the accident resulted in serious injuries. DUI Serious Injury By Vehicle is a felony offense in Georgia and punishable by incarceration for not less than one year nor more than fifteen years. The differences in type and volume of evidence and seriousness of the charge when compared to a standard DUI case, requires the assistance of a DUI lawyer experienced in defending DUI Serious Injury charges.
Vehicular homicide is considered one of Georgia's most serious criminal charges and carries the harshest consequences. In Georgia, you need the knowledge and experience of a lawyer who can help you deal with the implications surrounding a vehicular homicide charge in Georgia, and you will not want to face these charges alone.
Possession of Marijuana in Georgia
Even if you were not driving, a marijuana possession charge could cause your driver's license to be suspended. There are many strategies for avoiding these consequences, and you should consult a Georgia attorney immediately so that your case is handled correctly.
Defending a DUI charge in Georgia requires knowledge of proper stop and arrest procedure, blood alcohol concentration and testing, constitutional law, field sobriety testing, sentencing and driver's license implications. Besides focusing on legal issues in your DUI defense, court procedures can be a confusing maze of rules and statutes that will affect the outcome of your case. One of the worst things you can do is walk into a courtroom for the first time completely unprepared. Our attorneys will help you understand how your case will proceed so that you know exactly what to expect at each stage of your case.
DUI cases can begin in a city Municipal Court, Probate Court, State Court, or Superior Court. Regardless of where the case begins, defending a DUI charge requires several court appearances and can be a confusing maze of rules, statutes, and deadlines that can significantly affect the outcome of your case. Understanding how your case will proceed and what your options are can be empowering and will ease the stress of handling a serious charge within Georgia's legal system.
Roadblocks and sobriety checkpoints have been a heavily used tool of law enforcement to detect and apprehend DUI offenders. In Georgia, law enforcement officers running checkpoints are required to follow certain protocol. The decision to implement and procedures for a roadblock must be made by supervisory personnel, rather than officers in the field. There must be predetermined procedures in place to operate the roadblock, and it must have a legitimate purpose. All passing vehicles must be stopped; meaning the officers do not have the discretion to halt certain vehicles and not others. The delay to motorist must be minimal, and the roadblock itself must be well identified as a police checkpoint. Any prolonged detention of a vehicle must be based upon specific, articulable facts observed by the officer.
If your driver's license has been suspended, it can lead to an endless cycle of charges and arrests if you are unable to reinstate your license. Each suspended license charge carries the possibility of jail time and an additional, new license suspension that can only add to the original burden of not having a valid driver's license. Our attorneys may be able to help you reinstate early or defend your current charges to avoid additional suspensions to end this cycle today. Avoid mandatory jail time for driving with a suspended license in Georgia by calling today.
Refusal of Breath and Blood Testing
After you are arrested for DUI in Georgia, the law enforcement officer will read you an implied consent notice. You will then be asked to submit to a state-administered chemical test of your breath, blood, or urine. By state law, you are required to submit to this testing and any person who refuses this testing will face the possibility of a one-year suspension of his or her Georgia driver's license. If your license is suspended due to your refusal to take a State test, you will not be eligible for a limited-use driving permit. Time is of the essence, and it is important to hire a Georgia DUI attorney soon after arrest to protect your right to drive.
Attorney Richard Lawson has dedicated his law practice to DUI law and has specialized in this area for over 20 years. As a former Georgia DUI prosecutor, he can help his clients reach the best possible outcome no matter how challenging the DUI case. You will need an experienced Georgia DUI attorney who will fight for you to get the best possible outcome in your case. You only have thirty days to protect your right to drive and your freedom.
There can be many strategies in a DUI case in Georgia. While the best result may be to walk away from the case with no penalties and a clean record, many cases can be won without the need for a trial by having the charges reduced to a lesser charge. Reckless Driving does not carry a license suspension and does not leave a “DUI” on their criminal record. Call our office today to discuss the best possible outcome in your case given your particular circumstances. Whether it is by a jury trial, a plea bargain, or a plea to a reduced charge like reckless driving, our office will find the best possible result in your case.
Experienced DUI attorneys will be able to come up with creative alternatives to the typical DUI penalties. Sometimes a person's circumstances will be a significant factor in determining sentencing conditions. You may be able to avoid a license suspension altogether, and if you are facing jail time, we may be able to negotiate a clinical treatment option instead. You can help your case by checking into in-patient or out-patient treatment and having your Georgia DUI Lawyer incorporate that treatment into your sentence by the court in place of actual time in jail.
Georgia DUI Plea Bargains Georgia DUI Trials
We are prepared to fight for you, but sometimes a trial in a DUI case will not be your best option given the facts of your case and your particular circumstances. In those cases, our attorneys will try to negotiate a plea bargain with the prosecution so that we can be involved in the process of setting the terms and conditions of your sentencing--whether it be to the DUI charge or a reduced charge. After investigating your case, a trial may be the best option. We never assume you are guilty.
DUI Under 21 Years Old Teenage DUI in Georgia
If you are arrested for DUI in Georgia and are under the age of 21, there can be severe consequences that vary from those imposed on drivers over the age of 21 at the time of arrest. Certain other related drug or traffic offenses you may have been charged with in addition to DUI may carry additional license suspension periods that will run consecutively to any suspension imposed after a DUI conviction. Handling the many nuances of driver's license suspensions after a DUI conviction for drivers under 21 requires the assistance of a DUI lawyer in Georgia that is experienced with these issues.
All prior convictions can be used to enhance punishment and make it more severe. DUI does not come off your record and can always be used against you. You could face harsher sentences, longer license suspensions and increased jail time. That is why you will need the assistance of an experienced DUI attorney to help minimize the impact of prior convictions in fighting your current charges. Prior DUI Convictions can have an enormous impact on your potential sentence. We take great care when a person has had multiple DUI or other criminal convictions on their records.
Any amount of a contraband substance in your system constitutes DUI drugs; however, the State must also prove that the drug rendered you incapable of driving safely. The consequences for DUI Drugs in Georgia can include more a more severe drivers license suspension than had alcohol been involved. You will need a DUI attorney that is experienced with this type of charge and familiar with the different battery of field sobriety tests the officer will put someone through when suspected of taking an illegal drug. DUI Drug cases can result in no permit to drive upon a plea or conviction.
DUI Court is a program for repeat DUI offenders that differs significantly from the typical court experience. The program is supervised by the trial judge in your case and requires daily intervention and treatment. Any violation of the terms of the program can lead to severe consequences including additional jail time. Admission into the DUI Court program is a decision that requires the guidance and advice of a DUI attorney. We never recommend a Georgia DUI Court Program unless a case is properly investigated for potential defenses, and there is no other alternative. DUI Court is a difficult and intensive program never to be entered into without a full consideration of all other options.
Georgia DUI law is complicated and can be very confusing when trying to determine what penalties will be imposed. The circumstances of your case and the length of the potential driver's license suspension depends on:
- Whether you took or refused a State test;
- Whether you appealed the administrative suspension;
- Your age at the time of sentencing;
- And numerous other factors.
Georgia's DUI laws are always evolving and changing year to year, and you will need an experienced attorney that specializes in DUI to evaluate your case and look for any defenses to fight your charges. A DUI arrest can be frightening, and you should not fight these serious charges alone. Many of the DUI penalties can be lessened or avoided if you have a proper defense and act immediately after your arrest. If you are worried about a potential Georgia DUI Penalty or a possible Georgia DUI Consequence, call us today.
Almost every DUI case that does not involve a roadblock or roadside checkpoint involves some other similar offense. Commonly related offenses include but are not limited to speeding, failure to maintain lane, reckless driving, following too closely, racing, hit and run, and leaving the scene of an accident. Of course, the related traffic offense can be any traffic offense listed in Title 40 of the Georgia Criminal Code. Committing a related offense does not mean you are guilty of DUI in Georgia. You can fight your case and should look at all possible defenses to the DUI and any related offenses.
If you have been charged as a youthful offender or if a member of your family is charged as a youthful offender, your case needs to be handled with care and attention. You are facing a lifetime with a criminal record, and our attorneys know that this can be a frightening time. We will try to negotiate any potential outcome that will result in the charges being eligible for expungement or a later dismissal so that this mistake will not affect your future or your child's future. You only have one time to resolve a criminal arrest. Later in life, a Georgia DUI Lawyer cannot go back and seal or expunge a conviction. This is the time to get the right result so that an arrest will not stay with you or your child for a lifetime.
You may not have known that driving while taking prescribed medication could lead to a DUI charge in Georgia. Having a prescription for the drug is not a defense to this charge. If the levels of the drug in your system were within the prescribed “therapeutic” levels, your Georgia DUI attorney would argue that you were not actually “under the influence” of the drug. Having drugs in your system does not mean you a guilty. The fact that a drug label says not to drive does not mean you are guilty. Have your case investigated by the lawyer that wrote the book on prescription drug DUI. Contact Georgia DUI Attorney Richard Lawson.
DUI Marijuana charges require the attention of an attorney experienced with this type of charge because the license suspension periods can be even more severe than in the typical DUI Alcohol case. The State will have to prove impairment by the drug, but failing a drug test does not necessarily demonstrate that you were affected by the drug at the time of driving. Our team of attorneys is knowledgeable about the amount of time the drug stays in your system and how the metabolites that are tested for may not have impacted your driving. Call us for a consultation today to discuss your options. Have marijuana metabolites in your system does not mean you are DUI Marijuana.
Hit and Run - Leaving the Scene of an Accident
Whether you are charged with Hit and Run or Leaving the Scene of an Accident, you are facing a serious charge in Georgia that can lead to a driver's license suspension or aggravated penalties if you were also charged with DUI. These are not charges to take lightly, and you may have defenses that could lead to a reduction to a lesser charge or a dismissal. If convicted of Hit and Run you will lose your license without a permit to drive. That makes leaving the scene of an accident a more serious offense than DUI. Call our office today to see what options are available to you.
If you are charged with Hit and Run in Georgia, you are facing severe consequences such as loss of license and time in jail. Hit and run is a crime of specific intent. Unlike other traffic offense (including DUI), you have to make a decision to commit a hit and run. As a result, it's a more serious offense than DUI in Georgia. If you are charged with hit and run in Georgia, you need to act fast to protect your rights and your freedom. We are here every day to help you.
Leaving the Scene of an Accident
If you leave the for of an accident in Georgia, you will have committed a crime that is more serious than DUI. Leaving the Scene of an Accident is the most serious misdemeanor traffic offense you can commit, except in the event someone has been killed. You are in need of serious legal attention if you are charged with leaving the scene of an accident in Georgia. We are always here to help, 24/7 because this is a serious matter.
Reckless Driving is a serious traffic offense but carries less severe penalties than a DUI charge. Georgia Prosecutors can reduce a DUI charge to Reckless Driving and in so doing will prevent a driver's license suspension and also, likely, jail time. Not all DUI charges will be reduced, and this is more dependent on the circumstances of your arrest than your prior criminal record or lack thereof. We will investigate your case to see if the facts warrant a possible reduction. If there is a way to get a case reduced to reckless driving, we will find it. A reduction to reckless driving can make all the difference in a person's life and future job prospects.
DUI cases have a specific sequence of events that take place, and a Georgia DUI lawyer can ensure that your case proceeds smoothly and that you understand what to expect throughout the process. An experienced and well-trained DUI attorney in Georgia will be essential to your ability to defend your case. An attorney will know how to utilize best each stage in the case proceeding to get you the best possible outcome. If you are arrested for DUI in Georgia, you will face severe penalties. First and second convictions are considered misdemeanor offenses while a third conviction is regarded as a high and aggravated misdemeanor. The penalties are increased for each subsequent conviction, and you will need the help of an experienced DUI lawyer from the very beginning to evaluate your case and fight for a fair sentencing.
If you are under the age of 17 at the time of your arrest, your case will go to a Georgia Juvenile Court in the County in which you were arrested. It's important to find a lawyer that knows the differences that apply in a DUI case involving a juvenile because the procedures in Juvenile Court and for how your case will be handled as opposed to an adult DUI case are significantly different. Juvenile cases are not about guilt or innocence. The standard is what is in the best interest of the child. Our juvenile DUI Attorneys understand how to present the case in the best interest of your son or daughter.
Prior offenses such as racing can have a significant impact on your defense in a pending DUI case. It is important to fight a Racing charge as it is considered a serious traffic offense in Georgia. It is important that you consult an attorney when facing any serious charge and to be honest with your attorney about past offenses because it can affect your ability to drive. In fact, there is no permit to drive for your DUI if you are also convicted or plead guilty to racing or if you had a prior offense of racing on your record.
Most DUI cases begin with the police officer's stop of your vehicle due to him observing you commit a traffic violation, such as speeding. It's possible, though, that the police improperly pulled you over for speeding. If you are successful in a challenge to the initial stop, the entire arrest is invalidated. A DUI attorney can evaluate the legality of the officer's actions. Even if you committed a traffic violation, the officer might have illegally expanded the scope of his investigation or detained you longer than necessary. If you have been arrested for DUI in Georgia, contact a DUI specialist today.
Failure to Maintain Lane is a very common traffic offense that can lead to a DUI arrest. Many officers will cite you for this violation when he sees you weave within your lane, which is not technically a violation of the law. There are defenses to this charge and successfully challenging the reason for the stop can lead to a dismissal of the DUI case. It is not illegal to fail to maintain your lane of traffic as long as the drive first ascertains that it was safe to make that movement from the lane. As a result, the entire offense becomes a judgment call that can be challenged by your Georgia DUI Lawyer.
Many DUI cases in Georgia begin with an accident. If you rear-ended someone, you would be charged with following too closely. If you have been charged with Following Too Closely in addition to your DUI arrest in Georgia, call our office now because if your case involves any aggravating factors, such as an accident involving other vehicles or injury or damage to a person or property, you may be facing harsh penalties even if it is your first DUI conviction in your lifetime. Accidents are not always the fault of the person that is charged with the DUI, even if the police make that assumption.
Fleeing or Attempting to Elude
Fleeing and eluding in Georgia is one of the most dangerous offenses in Georgia misdemeanor traffic law. It can suspend your drivers license. It can cause you to be sentenced to significant time in jail. Many time a person is not attempting to elude the police or flee at all. Many times people fail to see the blue lights or realize the blue lights and siren are about them. Never concede that you were in fact fleeing and eluding if your did not see or hear the police car.
Commercial drivers are held to higher and stricter standards than other licensees. Commercial drivers could be convicted of DUI per se with a 0.04 BAC if you were driving a commercial vehicle at the time. That is significantly lower than the 0.08 per se BAC level for non-commercial licensees. Also, you will face a commercial disqualification if you refuse to take the State-administered chemical test as required by law. Having a CDL is an enormous investment in time and an excellent addition to any career. Protect your CDL today and call now.
Obstruction is a serious offense, and that is why you need a serious defense. Obstruction can be charged as a felony, so it is important that you protect your rights and your record. Obstruction can also be charged as a misdemeanor if there is no actual physical confrontation with the police. A conviction for obstruction can lead to loss of your job, financial aid and civil liberties. Call the Law Offices of Richard S. Lawson today to find out how our lawyers can help you get your obstruction charges beaten or reduced. Sometimes a reduction can even be to a city ordinance or county ordinance.
Any time a young person faces a charge in the court system, it can be serious and confusing. Let out juvenile defense lawyers help you get the best possible results. It is important that a juvenile's criminal and driving record are protected. Our attorneys can ensure that everything is done to keep the offense confidential. If you or a family member are facing a charge in any court proceeding, call our experienced juvenile defense lawyers today for a free case consultation.
If you have been in a car accident, it's important to hire counsel as soon as possible. Accidents that also involve DUI are even more serious. Whenever there is a car crash and a DUI, you will face additional consequences including time in jail, additional community service, and higher fines. If someone is injured in a DUI accident in Georgia, you will be facing serious time in prison. Contact us now to protect your rights. Never assume fault in a Georgia car accident, even if the other party was injured. No one is automatically at fault in a Georgia car accident, even involving DUI.
Appealing a DUI Conviction in Georgia
If you have been convicted of DUI in Georgia, you only have a very short period to file your appeal. If you don't file certain paperwork within 30 days of your conviction, you will likely lose your right to challenge the conviction. You will need an attorney specially trained to handle appeals because of the complexity of this type of case. Call our office today to start the process. We will first file a motion for new trial and then will move on through the Georgia appellate process. Your appeal needs the attention of experienced Georgia Appeals Lawyers. We can take your case to the Georgia Court of Appeals and the Georgia Supreme Court.
No matter how damaging the evidence against you, you may still have defenses in your case that could significantly strengthen your chances at trial. An experienced DUI attorney will investigate and evaluate your case to see if any arguments exist that could cause critical evidence to be suppressed and ruled inadmissible at trial.
Aggressive Driving can be a myriad of traffic offenses committed every day on Georgia roadways. In Georgia, aggressive driving is a high and aggravated misdemeanor that can carry significant and harsh consequences that will affect your ability to drive to work or school.
At age 17 you are an adult in Georgia if Arrested
Any case involving a person only 17 years old requires particular attention due to the range of consequences the person may face including a permanent criminal record that could follow you for the rest of your life. Call today to find out if it is possible to resolve your case in a way to keep your record clean.
Georgia's lakes are beautiful and attract numerous boaters looking to water ski, fish, and swim. A day on the water could lead to a very serious BUI charge, though. If children are with you at the time, a BUI arrest could lead to even more enhanced charges of child endangerment. Call an attorney today to ensure you have a proper defense from the moment you step into court for the first time.
The Georgia DUI Laws are complicated. People arrested for DUI throughout Georgia have only thirty days to file their ALS appeal, or their licenses will be suspended. That is the start of a process that includes reading police reports, viewing videos, filing for discovery and other motions. It involves plea bargaining, motions hearings, bench, and jury trials. You need a top-rated, experienced DUI Lawyer on your side so you can put the Georgia DUI Laws to work for you, instead of against you.
A criminal conviction or even an arrest can have a significant impact on your long-term career goals. That is especially true if you are a federal employee, a member of the Armed Forces, expert or consultant to a federal agency, or a government contractor requiring a security clearance. Criminal charges could affect your ability to qualify for security clearance.
An open container charge could have a significant impact on your DUI case and could bring enhanced charges and harsher penalties. You will need an experienced attorney to ensure that an open container found in your vehicle doesn't prejudice your case. Whether you are charged with DUI and Open Container or just Open Container alone, you need to take it seriously. Your future and criminal record depend on it.
A Public Intoxication Arrest can be embarrassing but is also misdemeanor offense that can carry severe penalties including 12 months in jail and a $1,000 fine. It can also carry a social stigma that can affect your future employment opportunities, ability to enroll in college, and qualify for financial aid and student loans. Because a criminal record is forever, you need to contact a criminal defense attorney today to discuss your case.
You can be charged with DUI Less Safe when you either refuse a chemical test or test less than .08 on a Georgia Breath Test; however, are still impaired to the extent that you are less safe to drive. You can also be charged with DUI Less Safe Drugs or DUI Less Safe Prescription Drugs. However charged, DUI Less Safe is as important as any other DUI offense in Georgia.
Pedestrian Under the Influence
You do not have to be driving to be charged with being under the influence of alcohol. You can be charged as a pedestrian under the influence. That can result in a lifetime criminal record and all of the consequences therein. It does not have to happen. Act now to protect your rights.
In Georgia, you have rights if arrested for DUI. You have the right to an independent test of your blood, breath, or urine. You have the right to refuse the state's test as well; however, there are consequences if you elect to refuse to test. These rights are outlined in the Georgia Implied Consent Warning, which should be read to you at the time of your DUI Arrest.
In most instances, a DUI charge in Georgia is a misdemeanor offense, but under certain circumstances, a DUI can be a felony offense punishable by 1 to 5 years in jail and a $5,000 fine. A felony conviction carries much more severe consequences than a misdemeanor and can significantly impact the rest of your life. That does not have to happen. There are always potential alternative outcomes and alternative sentences.
In Georgia, DUI convictions can carry jail time, large fines, probation, the suspension of your driver's license, and countless other requirements. Consequences may be based on your prior criminal or driving history as well as the circumstances of the arrest. You do not have to suffer the consequences if you are found not guilty of the DUI. We can look into potential defenses to help avoid those consequences.
Even a first DUI conviction can carry harsh sanctions including a license suspension, jail time, a fine, community service, probation and other conditions. Each subsequent DUI arrest will only increase the mandatory minimum sentence. After three convictions for DUI, you can be declared a habitual violator in Georgia. If you avoid the conviction for DUI in Georgia, you can avoid the potential sanctions and penalties.
A pretrial diversion program allows a first-time offender to complete certain requirements and once completed, the original charges will be dismissed, and the case will be closed. The charges may even be eligible for expungement of the person's criminal history record. That does not come automatically to people accused of crimes in Georgia. Your Georgia DUI Lawyer will have to negotiate this outcome for you.
Disorderly Conduct is a catchall provision in the state of Georgia. It is often used by officers when confronted with a person they wish to detain whether for the purposes of public safety, or to prevent them from further interfering with an investigation, or to “teach them a lesson.” Many times disorderly conduct is simply the offense of upsetting the police and should never be charged in the first place.
Drivers License Points In Georgia
Georgia uses a points system to track drivers and most moving violations cause points to be assessed against your driving record. Too many points within a short period could even result in a license suspension. There may be ways to prevent the assessment of points, or to reduce the overall number of points on your driving record, however.
High and Aggravated Misdemeanors
If a misdemeanor is classified as high and aggravated, the penalties are increased if convicted when compared to an ordinary misdemeanor offense. If the offense is classified as being of a high and aggravated nature, the maximum fine increases to $5,000. There is also a limitation on the amount of credit allowed for “good time served” for a jail sentence.
The Georgia Department of Driver Services offers various license classes to its residents. Your license class determines the type of vehicle you can operate and in some cases, other conditions are imposed. The rules for those under the age of 18 and those under the age of 21 are different for those over the age of 21.
Roadside checkpoints are a common device of law enforcement to detect possible DUI drivers. In Georgia, officers must follow very specific procedures to implement a checkpoint, and if those procedures are not followed, any subsequent arrest is illegal. If the roadblock is not legally executed, then the DUI arrest will be found to be invalid.
Your Georgia DUI Lawyer - Your Georgia DUI Attorney
Georgia DUI Lawyer Richard Lawson and his associates are here every day to help. We are open 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Our Georgia DUI Lawyers are trained to defend your case and get the best possible outcome. Only a Georgia DUI Attorney is prepared to fight your Georgia DUI Case. Contact the Georgia DUI Attorneys at our office today. Put our Georgia DUI Defense Attorneys to work for you. For Georgia DUI Information, no place has more Information on Georgia DUI than this site.
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Richard Lawson
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