Heard County DUI Lawyer – Heard County DUI Attorney
Franklin GA DUI Lawyer – Franklin GA DUI Attorney
Experience Matters
The Law Office of Richard Lawson is a legal firm that exclusively specializes in DUI Defense. Attorney Richard Lawson is a former Georgia DUI prosecutor with over twenty five years' experience in DUI law. Take a look at our Avvo reviews and see why we are the top-rated DUI Defense firm in the state of Georgia; then contact us for a free no-obligation case evaluation.
30-Day Warning!
If you have been arrested for DUI in Heard County, Georgia, you should know that you only have thirty days to protect your driver's license from suspension. You (or your Heard County DUI Attorney) will need to file a request for an Administrative License Suspension (ALS) Hearing or an ignition interlock device. The fee to file the request is $150. If the request is not made or is not made within the thirty-day timeframe, your license will be suspended. If you have been accused of refusing the State's chemical test of your breath, blood, or urine, your license will be suspended for one year, with no opportunity for a permit. Contact the Law Office of Richard Lawson today to speak with a DUI Lawyer in Franklin GA!
Our Experience
How many DUI Attorneys in Heard County can say they have been on the other side of the courtroom? Richard Lawson began his legal career over twenty five years ago as a DUI prosecutor. During his prosecutorial career, he tried DUI cases to a jury, prosecuted reckless drivers, and other charges. As a prosecutor, he learned how police think, what the court is looking for, and arguments that can ruin a prosecutor's case.
If you want a Heard County DUI Lawyer who does not comprehend the risk that DUI poses to public safety or does not consider your charges serious; the Law Office of Richard Lawson is not the firm to represent you. However, if you want a Heard County DUI Attorney who takes your case seriously, and will protect your rights by making the State prove their case beyond a reasonable doubt, we are the firm to represent you.
Our Approach
The Basic Steps of a DUI Investigation:
- Law enforcement observes a motorist's driving pre-traffic stop and must decide if there is articulable suspicion or a lawful basis for a traffic stop;
- Observations are made by the officer during the traffic stop. The decision is made whether or not to ask the driver to step out of their vehicle and perform field sobriety tests;
- If the driver correctly performs field sobriety tests satisfactorily, the officer must decide if there is a lawful reason to continue to detain the driver;
- During the arrest process, law enforcement must follow all rules, procedures and laws;
- If the DUI suspect takes a chemical test at the jail, police station, etc., the officer must follow additional rules and regulations regarding evidence;
- Once each of these steps is completed, the arrest process continues, and the driver/DUI suspect is booked and fingerprinted and now “under arrest.”
Maybe you have seen the “walk-and-turn” test on television, or maybe you have seen someone perform it roadside during a traffic stop. The test is done by the officer asking the driver to walk out nine to ten steps heel-to-toe, turn around, and walk back. All the while, writing down each error the driver makes in this ridiculous test.
The job of a Heard County DUI Attorney is a bit like that of the police. As skilled Heard County DUI Lawyers, it is our job to make sure the police properly follow each and every step of a Heard County DUI investigation as mentioned above. There are set rules, and our Heard County DUI Attorneys know them; it is our job to make sure they follow them. If they do not follow them, your Heard County DUI Lawyer can gain leverage when negotiating a favorable outcome, or have valid arguments that can be used should your case go to trial.
Charged with DUI in Heard County?
For most people, being arrested and charged with DUI is nothing we would ever expect to happen. The initial shock of being accused of a crime leads to the anxiety of appearing in court and other legal consequences. Possible probation, jail, and enormous fines can cause even more stress.
Even though DUI is typically a misdemeanor, it carries stiff penalties with harsh punishments.
Aggressive Heard County DUI Attorneys
Any criminal conviction can have consequences that last a lifetime. Justice 1only gives you one chance to lessen the impact that criminal charges can have on you and your life. You need a skilled, aggressive Franklin Georgia DUI Lawyer by your side to defend your rights. At the Law Office of Richard Lawson, we will take swift and forceful action to protect you and provide effective defense.
DUI cases are not easy to defend, and for that reason, it is imperative that you choose a Franklin GA DUI Attorney who has the experience and refined skill necessary to fight your DUI charge. Our Franklin GA DUI Lawyers will thoroughly review the details of your arrest and listen intently to your account of it as well to determine the best course of action.
Since Attorney Lawson is a former prosecutor, he can use that experience to craft a strong defense for his clients. Your case will be analyzed from the perspective of a prosecutor and will give you a solid assessment of possible outcomes for your case.
HEARD COUNTY GA COURT SYSTEM
Heard County Probate Court
When a person is arrested for DUI in Heard County, they often choose a DUI Lawyer in Heard County, because they are likely familiar with the court system. If a misdemeanor DUI arrest occurs in an unincorporated area of Heard County, their case would have its arraignment in Heard County Probate Court. Probate Court is held at 215 East Court Square, Room 3, Franklin, GA 30217. Office hours are Monday – Friday 8:30 AM – 5 PM. The office is closed daily for lunch from 12 PM – 1 PM. The Honorable Joseph Bledsoe is the Probate Judge, and Bonnie Reed and Chandra Holliday are the Clerks of Court. Call (706) 675-3353 for more information.
Map to Heard County Probate Court
Heard County Municipal Courts
If a misdemeanor DUI arrest occurred within the limits of an incorporated city, the arraignment for that case would take place in that city's municipal court; and as for Heard County, that means either Ephesus Municipal Court or Franklin Georgia Municipal Court.
Ephesus Municipal Court
Ephesus Municipal Court is held at 24500 GA Highway 110, Roopville, GA 30217. The Honorable Emmett K. Harrod is the judge, and Linda Yearwood is the Clerk of Court. Call (770) 854-8616 for more information. If you have been arrested in the City of Ephesus and need legal advice, do not hesitate to contact an Ephesus DUI Lawyer. The Law Offices of Richard Lawson has a DUI Lawyer in Ephesus waiting to speak with you about your case, so call now!
Map to Ephesus Municipal Court
Franklin GA Municipal Court
Franklin Municipal Court is held at 118 Davis Street, Franklin, GA 30217. The Honorable Emmett K. Harrod is the municipal court judge, and Nikki Chapman is Clerk of Court. For questions about your ticket or general court inquiries, call (706) 675-6623. All cases that originate within the City of Franklin GA would have their arraignment in Franklin GA Municipal Court. When you need a DUI Lawyer in Franklin GA, contact the Law Offices of Richard Lawson today. We have a Franklin GA DUI Lawyer waiting to speak to you about your case right now!
Map to Franklin GA Municipal Court
Heard County Superior Court
Heard County Superior Court is held at 215 E Court Square, Franklin, GA 30217. The Honorable Bryan Owensby is the Clerk of Superior Court and can be reached by calling (706) 675-3301. Office hours are Monday – Friday 8:30 AM – 5:00 PM, with the office closing daily for lunch from 12 PM – 1 PM.
Heard County is part of the Coweta Judicial Circuit. Heard County Superior Court judges are:
Bill Hamrick
Coweta County
P.O. Box 338
Carrollton, GA 30112
Phone: (678) 390-6236
Fax: (678) 390-6237
Dennis Blackmon
Carroll County
P. O. Box 338
Carrollton, GA 30112
Phone: (770) 830-5871
Fax: (770) 830—5996
Emory Palmer
Coweta County
72 Greenville St., Suite 3047
Newnan, GA 30240
Phone: (770) 683-0491
Fax: (770) 683-0492
Jack Kirby
Troup County Government Center
100 Ridley Avenue
LaGrange, GA 30240
Phone: (706) 298-3626
Fax: (888) 383-5803
John T. Simpson
Carroll County
P. O. Box 338
Carrollton, GA 30112
Phone: (770) 830-5855
Fax: (770) 830-5857
Map to Heard County Superior Court
District Attorney Peter J. Skandalakis handles the prosecution of felony cases in Heard County Superior Court. He is the final decision-maker of who is or is not charged with a crime in Heard County and what plea agreement (if any) will be accepted (or offered). His contact information is:
Peter J. Skandalakis, District Attorney
Heard County Superior Court
Heard County Courthouse
P O Box 730
Franklin, GA 30217
(706) 675-0955
Valuable Legal Guidance
For the best outcome for your Heard County DUI case, contact a seasoned Heard County DUI Attorney with the Law Office of Richard Lawson. If you need a Franklin GA DUI Lawyer to fight for your rights, look no further. If you are facing a DUI charge, there is no time to lose. Your first action step is to secure effective legal defense as soon as possible. Call us today. Your best defense begins with us!
Our Attorneys
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Richard Lawson
Managing Partner at Lawson & Berry:
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Kimberly A. Berry
Partner at Lawson & Berry:
Heard County DUI Resources
Heard County Sheriff's Department
Heard County Clerk of Superior Court
Administrative Office of the Courts
Franklin-Heard County Public Library
Wikipedia of Heard County Georgia
