Snellville DUI Lawyer

Snellville DUI Lawyer – Snellville DUI Attorney

Snellville DUI Defense

Richard Lawson is a former DUI prosecutor with over 25 years' experience in Georgia DUI Law. He is the top-rated DUI attorney in the state. Please see his Avvo reviews and you will understand why you should contact our office for a free, no-obligation consultation.

30-Day Warning!

If you were arrested for DUI in Snellville, you (or your Snellville DUI Lawyer) must file a request for an Administrative License Suspension (ALS) hearing or ignition interlock device. The request must be made within thirty days of your arrest and the cost to file is $150. If you refused the State's chemical test of your breath, blood, or urine, your license would be suspended for one year. Do not waste the chance to have your case handled correctly from the start by an experienced Snellville DUI Attorney with the Law Office of Richard Lawson.

After a DUI Arrest

A DUI arrest is a traumatic experience. Losing your freedom for even a small amount of time can be stressful. The Law Office of Richard Lawson offers these tips to assist you during this time:

Keep in mind, an arrest is not the same as a conviction. Law enforcement only needs to suspect that a crime has been committed. However, the proof is that a person is guilty beyond a reasonable doubt is required for a conviction. The standard of proof that is needed to convict someone is much higher than the standard needed to justify arresting someone.
If your car was towed, pick it u as soon as possible, or make arrangements to have it picked up. Storage fees can be quite expensive and add up fast.
DUI information located on the Internet is just that—information. While the Internet is great, it is no substitute for the skill and advice of a Snellville DUI Lawyer. Georgia DUI Law is complex and complicated. We advise you to talk with an attorney who knows DUI law long before your court date.
If you decide to represent yourself in court without a Snellville DUI Attorney, you could have a bench trial at that time and will more than likely be found guilty (and convicted) on the spot. Do not decide, under any circumstances, to go it alone.

Why Do You Need a Snellville DUI Lawyer?

DUI is one of the most difficult practice areas of criminal law in the State of Georgia. If you are convicted or plead guilty to DUI, you can lose your driver's license, your employment, and your family. At the Law Office of Richard Lawson, our Snellville DUI Lawyers understand that and will fight hard to protect your rights. Georgia's ever-changing DUI laws and law enforcement crackdowns have made punishments for DUI convictions much harsher with higher fines and more time in jail. A good Snellville DUI Lawyer is your best first line of defense, your shield in the battle. The job of your Snellville DUI Attorney is to represent your best interests and protect your rights. Our Snellville DUI Lawyers take their jobs seriously.

DUI Consequences and Penalties

Just what are the consequences and penalties for a DUI conviction in Georgia? We are asked that the most from our clients and prospective clients. The implications of a DUI conviction can be tough and devastating. Even a first offense will get your driver's license suspended, cost thousands of dollars in fines and court fees, make your insurance premium increase, and give you a criminal record that will last the rest of your life.

Why You Should Contest a DUI Charge

A conviction for DUI will remain on your criminal record forever. Many employers refuse to hire potential job candidates because an alcohol or drug-related charge. Businesses terminate employees who are convicted of DUI due to company policy. If you drive a company car as part of your job, you may be fired because of a DUI.

If you have a commercial driver's license (CDL), you should consult a skilled Snellville DUI Lawyer to find out what your chances are to win your Snellville DUI case. Under Georgia law, if you are convicted of a first offense DUI, your CDL can be suspended for up to one year.

If you are in sales and travel often for work, you are at risk of losing your job if you are convicted of DUI.

If you are an out-of-state driver, your home state could be notified of your DUI conviction.

Typical DUI Questions

Is it against the law to drink alcoholic beverages and drive in Georgia?

No. In Georgia, it is legal to consume alcoholic beverages and subsequently drive a vehicle. To be convicted of DUI, a judge or jury must find you guilty beyond a reasonable doubt. Just proof that you consumed alcohol is not enough for a DUI conviction.

If my blood alcohol content is over .08, am I automatically guilty of DUI?

No. The breath test reading is just a piece of evidence that can be considered in your Snellville DUI case. Our Snellville DUI Attorneys are more than familiar with breath testing machine issues that prohibit an accurate reading.

Is refusing field sobriety tests my legal right?

Yes. The law enforcement officer may not tell you the tests are not mandatory and therefore, you do not have to perform them.

Is refusing the breath test also my legal right?

Yes; however, refusing can result in a license suspension for one year (that would be a hard suspension with no chance of a restricted permit). You must act as soon as possible after your arrest as there are time constraints involved.

Do I have the right to remain silent when I am pulled over for suspicion of DUI?

Yes. Anyone who is the focus of a criminal investigation has the right to invoke the Fifth Amendment and remain silent at all times.

Can I have a Snellville DUI Lawyer represent me in a Snellville DUI charge?

Absolutely. A DUI is a serious charge. Your freedom and livelihood could dramatically be affected if you are convicted of DUI. Many times, there are defenses that only a seasoned DUI Lawyer in Snellville can use on your behalf. The family attorney who handled your divorce or drew up your will is mostly likely not your best choice.

Snellville Municipal Court

Hours for Snellville Municipal Court are Monday – Friday, 8 AM – 5 PM. Court sessions are held on Wednesdays. If your case is set to be heard in the morning session, you should arrive (and report) to the Court no later than 8:30 AM. If you are set for the afternoon session, it is advisable to arrive no later than 2:30 PM.

The Honorable Mark Layng is the Municipal Court Judge, Angela Dunn the Associate Judge, and Kim Grimes the Chief Clerk of Court. Jennifer White is the Solicitor.

Court is held at City Hall in Snellville City Center at 2342 Oak Road, First Floor, Snellville, GA 30078. Call (770) 985-3500 for more information.

Map to Snellville Municipal Court

Your Best Defense

If you are facing a DUI charge in Snellville, contact the Law Offices of Richard Lawson to speak with qualified DUI Lawyers in Snellville. We are available 24 hours a day, seven days a week for your convenience. The Law Offices of Richard Lawson: your best defense begins with us. Contact us for a free case evaluation.

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