Houston County DUI Lawyer

Houston County GA DUI Lawyer - Houston County GA DUI Attorney

The Law Office of Richard Lawson is a legal firm that is dedicated to DUI Defense. Richard Lawson is a former Georgia DUI prosecutor with over 25 years' experience in DUI law. He is the most-reviewed DUI lawyer in the state, as rated by Avvo. Please see his reviews and contact our office for a free case evaluation.

What You Should Do First: 30-Day Warning

It is imperative to understand that a DUI arrest triggers two separate cases; the first is with the Georgia Department of Driver Services (DDS), and the second is your criminal DUI case. Because of this fact, there are things you need to do to protect your rights in both your DDS case and criminal DUI case. Within thirty days of your arrest, you or your Houston County GA DUI Lawyer must submit a written request for an Administrative License Suspension (ALS) hearing regarding the suspension of your Georgia driver's license. Alternatively, your Attorney can request an ignition interlock device to be installed on your vehicle. The hearing request costs $150 to file. Failure to file the request will result in an automatic license suspension. Therefore, it is critical to immediately contact a Houston County Georgia DUI Attorney and determine whether an ALS hearing or the interlock device is the best option for your case.

Georgia DUI Laws

Many times, people are arrested for DUI but do not understand the law or how it is applied. If a driver's blood-alcohol content (BAC) exceeds a certain limit, it is assumed that the person is unable to operate a motor vehicle safely. If you are dealing with DUI charges in Houston County, the Houston County GA DUI Lawyers with the Law Office of Richard Lawson will protect her rights and make sure you are aware of every legal option that will benefit your case.

Definition of DUI in Georgia

According to Georgia law, it is against the illegal for a person to operate a motor vehicle if he or she is under the influence of alcohol or drugs. The illegal BAC limit varies for different drivers depending on age and whether they have a commercial driver's license or CDL.

Drivers under 21 years of age may not legally drive if their BAC is .02 or more
Commercial drivers may not legally operate a vehicle with a BAC of .04 or more
Drivers over the age of 21 may not legally drive with a BAC of .08 or more

Penalties for Georgia DUI Convictions

Being convicted of violating Georgia DUI law can have a severe impact on individual's life. The conviction will remain on their criminal and driving records. The driver's BAC level, whether there was an accident with injuries, or prior convictions, or all considered during sentencing. Some typical Georgia DUI penalties include:

Up to 10 days in jail, 12 months' probation, 40 hours of community service, license suspension, mandatory alcohol/drug treatment, and DUI School for a first misdemeanor DUI offense
Up to 12 months in jail, up to 36 months' probation, 240 hours' community service, fine of up to $1000, DUI School, ignition interlock device, mandatory alcohol/drug treatment, photo published in local newspaper
Up to 12 months in jail, fine up to $5000 fine, 240 hours community service, 5-year license suspension, surrender license plate, mandatory alcohol/drug treatment, publication of photo in local newspaper, and Habitual Violator status
Up to 5 years in jail, up to $5000 fine, license suspension, 10-year license suspension (possible ignition interlock device after two years), 480 hours' community service, surrender of license plate, mandatory alcohol/drug treatment, publication of photo in local newspaper, convicted felon status for life

What Should I Do if I am Arrested for DUI?

Ask to speak with a Houston County DUI Attorney before talking to the police. Anything you say to them can be used against you in court. You have a right to legal representation. Use it. Information given to law enforcement without consulting an attorney can be detrimental to your case.

What Happens After My Arrest?

Your case will go to criminal court and the Department of Driver Services (DDS). If you enter a “not guilty” plea in your criminal case, evidence will be collected, a trial could take place, and the court makes a ruling, or you enter a plea agreement.

How Much Does a DUI Lawyer Cost?

When choosing a Houston County Georgia DUI Lawyer, you should feel at ease in the approach to your defense, and he or she is experienced and qualified to defend your case. The fees of our Houston County GA DUI Attorneys depend on your charges, unique details of your case, and defenses available to you. Any attorney who quotes you an unusually low fee for legal representation may not be qualified to handle your Houston County DUI case and could be quoting you a small price with the intent to resolve your case quickly through a plea agreement. That can have a significant impact on your driver's license, as well as your career.

We are happy to discuss our fees with you during your free consultation, and payment plans are available for those who qualify. We accept all major credit cards.

Houston County GA Court System

In Houston County, there are several courts that could have jurisdiction over your case, depending on where your arrest occurred. If your misdemeanor DUI arrest occurred within the limits of an incorporated city, your case would begin in that city's municipal court. Georgia's legal system is complex; therefore, it is important for your Houston County Georgia DUI Lawyer to be experienced in Georgia DUI law. Our Houston County GA DUI Attorneys will do everything possible to make sure your rights are protected.

Centerville GA Municipal Court

If you were arrested for misdemeanor DUI in Centerville, you need a Centerville GA DUI Lawyer to protect your interests in Centerville Municipal Court. Municipal court judges are Chief Judge Jeffrey L. Grube, and Judge Susan E. McNally and Sara Caldwell is the Chief Clerk of Court. Court is held at 310 East Church Street, Centerville, GA 31028. Office hours are Monday – Friday 8 AM – 5 PM. Please call (478) 953-4795 for more information. Call us today to speak with a DUI Lawyer in Centerville about your case.

Map to Centerville GA Municipal Court

Perry GA Municipal Court

If your misdemeanor DUI arrest occurred in Perry GA, contact a qualified Perry GA DUI Lawyer to represent you in Perry Municipal Court. The Honorable Herbert L. Wells, III is the Municipal Court Judge, and Mirian Arrington and Cindy Mizer are the Clerks of Court.

Office hours are Monday – Friday, 8 AM – 5 PM, and is closed for lunch from 12 PM – 2 PM. Court is held at 4 PM at 1207 Washington Street, Perry, GA 31069. The phone number for the Clerk's Office is (478) 988-2814. Choose a skilled DUI Lawyer in Perry GA to get you the best outcome possible for your case.

Map to Perry GA Municipal Court

Warner Robins Municipal Court

A misdemeanor DUI arrest in Warner Robins needs a seasoned DUI Lawyer in Warner Robins. The Honorable Fred Graham is the Chief Judge, and G.E. “Bo” Adams is the Associate Judge. The Clerks of Court are Deborah D. Miller and William P. Childs. Court is held at 233 North Houston Road, Warner Robins, GA 31093. Call (478) 322-0240 for more information. Contact an experienced Warner Robins DUI Lawyer with the Law Office of Richard Lawson today!

Houston County State Court

If you were arrested for misdemeanor DUI in an unincorporated area of Houston County, or if you would like a jury trial, your case would go through Houston County State Court. The Houston County Georgia State Court judge is the Honorable Jason Ashford, and Kendra Simons is the State Court Clerk. Court is held at 202 Carl Vinson Parkway, Warner Robins, GA 31088. Call (478) 542-2105 for more information.

Map to Houston County State Court

Houston County Superior Court

All felony cases must go through Houston County Superior Court. Carolyn V. Sullivan is the Superior Court Clerk and may be reached by calling (478) 218-4720. The address is 201 Perry Parkway, Perry, GA 31069. The Houston County Superior Court Judges are:

Judge Edward D. Lukemire (478) 218-4850
Judge Katherine K. Lumsden (478) 218-4860
Judge L. A. (Buster) McConnell, Jr. (478) 218-4858
Judge George F. Nunn, Jr. (478) 218-4840

Map to Houston County Superior Court

Contact Us

If you have been arrested for DUI in Houston County and do not know where to turn, contact the Law Office of Richard Lawson. We have Houston County GA DUI Lawyers standing by to take your call and discuss your case. You do not have time to lose. We are available 24 ours a day, seven days a week for your convenience. Even weekends and holidays!

Recent Case Results

This case was in Helen Municipal Court. The client was charged with a DUI and four counts of DUI Child Endangerment. In Georgia, for every child under the age of 14 in a vehicle it is considered a separate DUI offense. The client would have been declared an habitual violator from one arrest an... Read On
Client was charged with a suspended license because he did not reinstate his privilege to drive after the expiration of his restricted license. Per my advice, the client properly reinstated his license the day after he was charged. Case Dismissed in Cobb County State Court. Read On
Client was a resident of New York who was arrested while he was visiting Georgia for pleasure. He was charged with DUI, Reckless Driving, and Speeding 37 MPH over the speed limit. We were able to get the client an unbelievable outcome in Hampton, Georgia. His DUI dismissed, his speeding ticket wa... Read On

Recommendations

DUI WITH HIGH BAC (.112) LOWERED TO RECKLESS DRIVING!

Richard was not the first lawyer I spoke with after my DUI charge, but he was the last when searching for representation. This was my very first time encountering any sort of legal dispute so I had no idea what I was doing and I was very scared. Richard was very friendly, down to earth and consol... Read On
Miracle Worker!

Not only did Richard Lawson and his very capable associate get my DUI reduced to reckless driving with parole, but he did something that I didn't think was possible. I was stopped for a moving violation recently. The police arrested me because they showed my driver's license had been suspended. H... Read On
Ideal attorney for anyone

Mr. Lawson is outstanding. He was professional, attentive to any requests, and got the outcome I wanted but thought was unachievable. I had been arrested for a DUI. The case was very difficult, intricate, and was seemingly without hope, but Mr. Lawson was able to get the charges drastically reduc... Read On