Gilmer County DUI Lawyer - Gilmer County DUI Attorney
Ellijay DUI Lawyer - Ellijay DUI Attorney
Why Choose Us?
At The Law Office of Richard Lawson, we know that the biggest majority of our clients arrested and charged with DUI have had little to no prior criminal history or involvement with law enforcement. Â As a result, we understand the stress our clients experience when they have been accused of committing a crime. Â Our Gilmer County DUI Attorneys are dedicated to assisting you through the process and being a fierce advocate for you. Â Considering we specialize in Georgia DUI Defense, our Gilmer County DUI Lawyers are in the ideal position to be compassionate and understanding. Â At The Law Office of Richard Lawson, we are committed to exceptional customer service and treating you with the respect and dignity you deserve. Â
Our founder, Richard Lawson, is a former Georgia prosecutor; he knows both sides of your DUI case.  Check out his reviews on Avvo and contact us for a free consultation.  We look forward to serving you when you need us most.
30 Day Warning!!
If you have been arrested for DUI in Ellijay, you only have thirty days to file an appeal of your license suspension.  If that appeal is not filed, your license or privilege to drive in Georgia can be suspended for up to 12 months. If you are accused of refusing the breath test, you may not even qualify for a restricted license; unless this appeal is successfully filed and handled by your DUI Lawyer in Ellijay Georgia. Â
Your Gilmer County DUI Defense Attorneys Â
You have been arrested and charged with a Gilmer County DUI. Â What do you do now? Â Where can you turn? Like most people, you probably have very little (or no) experience in hiring a lawyer. Â Perhaps you have spoken with many attorneys, met a couple of them, and have heard differences of opinion, depending on with whom you talked. Our clients often say that choosing a Gilmer County DUI Lawyer is complicated, confusing, and leaves them feeling unsure.
Make no mistake, we know that finding the right Gilmer County DUI Attorney is crucial. Â It is an important decision for you to make, and we do not take it lightly ourselves. Â
While we cannot guarantee you a particular outcome in your case (no attorney should do that), we can ensure this: we have handled thousands of DUI and DUI-related cases from start to finish. Â We know Georgia DUI Laws, and we know how to move your case through the court system to get you the best outcome possible. We are here to stand by you, with you, and fight for you as your Gilmer County DUI Lawyer. Â
After choosing to hire our firm, you will have an open line of communication with one of our Gilmer County DUI Attorneys. Â They will work late, longer, and spend nights, weekends, and holidays if needed working on your Gilmer County DUI case. Â All of this is done to give you your best chance at a favorable outcome. Â Our team of Gilmer County DUI Lawyers will use their experience and skill to work hard for you. Â
Which Gilmer County DUI Lawyer Should I Choose?
Deciding on which attorney to hire to represent your Gilmer County DUI case is tough. Â You want your rights to be protected. Â Some potential clients as if we know the judge presiding over their particular case. Â After defending thousands of DUI cases in Georgia, yes, we do get to know some judges, prosecutors, and officers. Â However, that does not mean that will cause your case to be dismissed. Â Unfortunately, that is not the way things work. Â Some prosecutors and judges will listen to a valid argument and make a decision to dismiss. Â Sometimes, this happens before trial or sometimes at trial. Â Other times, it happens in pre-trial motions that are related to your Gilmer County DUI case. Â
Many times, prosecutors and judges will show mercy for someone who violated the law but needs help besides incarceration. Â Other DUI attorneys can overlook this. Â
How Will You Win My DUI Case?
First of all, you should understand that NO ONE thinks it is acceptable to get drunk and get behind the wheel and drive. Â Most Georgia DUI arrests do not have a personal victim other than the State of Georgia. However, there are circumstances of tragedy where people are seriously injured and even killed because someone chose to drive drunk. Â
Many times, DUI cases are made or broken on particular factual and legal issues that can only be identified by an experienced DUI Attorney in Gilmer County. Â They have the training, skill, and credentials to be able to spot such issues. Â
Of course, our goal in every Gilmer County DUI GA case is a dismissal.  That is the most important element in DUI Defense.  Will we be able to get your Gilmer County DUI case dismissed?  Who knows.  There is no way we could in good conscience answer that question.  You could plead guilty.  We know that for sure.  The prosecutor and judge will almost always accept a guilty plea.  However, we do not plead out clients guilty unless that is their decision to do so.  Our DUI Lawyers in Gilmer County Georgia will never tell you to plead guilty because your case is hopeless because there is always hope. Â
We cannot know the outcome of your case because it is impossible to say because we have not yet been able to review all the evidence in your case. Â If any attorney tells you they can guarantee a win in your case, they are not being honest with you and are just trying to get your business. Â How do we know? Â Maybe because of the thousands of DUI cases we have handled over the years. Â
What Do I do Next About Hiring an Attorney?
- Search for attorneys who specialize in DUI Defense. Â If you feel you cannot afford a specialist, at the very least ask any attorney you speak with how often they defend DUI cases or attend DUI-specific seminars/training.
- Collect your documents and make a summary (in writing) if the facts from your point of view and have it ready to provide to the attorney you eventually hire. Â
- Make a copy of your driver's license (if it has not been taken), and make a copy of your registration and insurance card also to give your attorney. Â
- Begin thinking about plans and scenarios for what could happen depending on the outcome of your case. Â What if your case is dismissed? Â What if you are convicted and lose your license and have to go to jail? Â You will almost always fail without a plan in place. Experience matters when choosing a DUI Attorney in Ellijay, Georgia.Â
Why Should I Fight My DUI Charge?
Many people feel their DUI case is hopeless, and that it is useless to fight it. Â They know they were driving under the influence and should not have been driving. Â They feel terrible and that they should just plead guilty. Nothing could be further from the truth, and everyone should fight his or her Gilmer County DUI GA charge. Â
What does it mean to fight your DUI charge? Â Does it mean strolling into court and telling the prosecutor and judge you were sober and innocent of all charges? Â Of course not. Â Each DUI case is unique and, therefore, must have a unique approach. Â In some instances, a person was not operating a motor vehicle or had not been drinking at all. Â These cases happen far more than people think; but are handled differently than those who are arrested for DUI after a traffic accident or after submitting to a test of their breath, blood, or urine with a result of .08 or more.
GILMER COUNTY COURT SYSTEM
Ellijay Municipal Court
The location of your misdemeanor DUI in Gilmer County Georgia would determine which court would have jurisdiction over your case. Â If you were arrested within the city limits of Ellijay, you need an experienced Ellijay DUI Lawyer to defend you in Ellijay Municipal Court. Â The Honorable Robert Sneed is the Municipal Court Judge, and Wyonette May is the Clerk of Court. Â Court is held at 197 North Main Street, Ellijay, Georgia 30540. Â Call (706) 635-4711, extension 5 for further information. Â When you need a DUI Lawyer in Ellijay, give us a call. Â
EAST Ellijay Municipal Court
An arrest for misdemeanor DUI in the City of East Ellijay needs an East Ellijay DUI Lawyer. Â The Honorable Robert Sneed is also the Municipal Court Judge, and Jacquelyn West Hefner is the Clerk of Court. Â Court is held at 107 East Oak Street, East Ellijay, Georgia 30539. Â Call (706) 276-3111 for more information. Â Look Office of Richard Lawson for a DUI Lawyer in East Ellijay. Â
Gilmer County Probate Court
If you were arrested in an unincorporated area of Gilmer County, your case would be heard in Gilmer County GA Probate Court. Â The Honorable Anita Mullins is the Probate Judge, and Paige Martin is the Court Clerk. Court is held at 1 Broad Street, Suite 204, Ellijay, Georgia 30540. Â Call (706) 635-4763 for further information. If you would like a jury trial, your case would be bound over to Gilmer County Superior Court.Â
Gilmer County Superior Court
Superior Court has jurisdiction over all felony cases. Â Glenda Sue Johnson is the Clerk of Court, and may be reached at (706) 635-4462. Â The address is 1 Broad Street, Ellijay, Georgia 30540.
Gilmer County Superior Court is part of the Appalachian Judicial Circuit, along with Fannin and Pickens counties. Â There are four judges who preside over felony cases. Â They are:
Chief Judge Brenda S. Weaver
Judge Roger E. Bradley
Judge Amanda H. Mercier
Judge John Worcester
The Chief Prosecuting Officer for Superior Court is the District Attorney's Office. Â The District Attorney for Gilmer County Superior Court is B. Alison Sosebee. Â Her contact information is as follows:
Alison Sosebee, District Attorney
Gilmer County Superior Court
1 Broad Street. Suite 101
Ellijay, Georgia 30540
(706) 635-5381
Choose Us for Your Best Defense
Call and speak with one of our DUI Lawyers in Gilmer County, GA, or visit our website for more DUI information. Â You have nothing to lose by allowing us to provide you with information about our experience and previous case successes. Â If you are needing a DUI Lawyer in Ellijay, GA, you will want experience and skill. Â Our Ellijay DUI Lawyers look forward to speaking with you and discussing your Gilmer County DUI case.
Gilmer County DUI Resources
Gilmer County GA Sheriff's Department
City of Ellijay Police Department
 Gilmer County GA Probate Court
Gilmer County GA Superior Court
Administrative Office of the Courts
 Wikipedia of Gilmer County, Georgia