Welcome To The Most Reviewed Georgia DUI Defense Firm:

Top-Rated Georgia DUI Lawyer - Top-Rated Georgia DUI Attorney

The Law Office of Richard Lawson is devoted to the defense of those suspected of Driving Under the Influence or DUI. This website is your resource for Georgia DUI Information.

"An arrest for DUI does not mean you are guilty."

Never assume you are guilty if you have been charged with DUI. Many people feel overwhelmed when they receive a citation for a DUI in Georgia. Suddenly you are thrust into a world of police investigations, courts, license suspensions, attorneys, judges and the possibility of facing time in jail!

It can be very tempting just to put your head down and take whatever the prosecutor in your case has to offer, simply to get over your ordeal. That is one of the worst mistakes you can make!

Richard Lawson is Georgia's top-rated, most reviewed Georgia DUI Attorney. His reviews can be found on AVVO, the attorney rating service.

Richard began his practice as a DUI prosecutor and has been handling DUI cases and other traffic related cases for more than 25 years. His knowledge of both sides of a DUI case and his trial experience as a prosecutor and defense attorney are unparalleled in Georgia. This entire website is devoted to providing the accused with up-to-date Georgia DUI Information. We update this site on a daily basis so it can be your 24 hours a day Georgia DUI Resource. Never face severe Georgia DUI Penalties without first having our office review your case.

30 Day Warning For Georgia DUI Cases:

If you have been arrested for DUI in Georgia, you only have thirty days to request an ALS Hearing. The State charges $150 to file for the hearing, and if it is not requested, your driver's license or privilege to drive in our State will be suspended.  If you are accused of refusing the breath, blood, or urine test, the license suspension will be 12 months in length, without a permit to drive. So, the stakes are high. There is no second chance to have your case properly handled.

In the alternative, you have thirty (30) days to choose to install an ignition interlock device on your vehicle. No one should choose this option without first consulting with a qualified Georgia DUI Lawyer.

Hiring a Georgia DUI Defense Attorney is a complicated matter, and you need to act quickly in most circumstances as the clock began ticking as soon as you received your citation. For instance, you only have thirty (30) days from the date of your arrest to request a hearing with the Department of Driver Services or your license will be automatically suspended.

When you call to schedule a consultation with an attorney, you may initially be scheduled for a phone conference instead of an actual face-to-face meeting. Do not be alarmed by this, as phone conferences are advantageous to both you and the attorney. You don't have to take as much time away from work, school, or find daycare, as you would if you were coming to the office. The attorney can also schedule a phone conference much more quickly than a sit-down meeting. Phone meetings also indicate that the attorney understands the pressures you are facing in your Georgia DUI case and wishes to make the process as painless as possible.  We value your time at our office and do not ask people to make unnecessary trips to consult with us. That allows us to be available at night and on weekends.  It also enables us to update Georgia DUI Information continually on this website.

To help expedite the attorney interview process, we have created the following list of questions you should ask any potential DUI lawyer you consider hiring to defend your case. We have divided the questions into several areas:

Attorney Background - you will want to hire a DUI attorney who specializes in Georgia DUI law.

• How long have you been a Georgia DUI lawyer?
• Where did you go to law school / when did you graduate?
• Have you practiced (or do you practice) any other types of law?
• How many DUI clients do you represent each year?
• How many DUI clients do your serve at any one time?
• How often do you appear at the courthouse where my case will be heard?
• Do you know the prosecutor/judge/police officers in my case?
• Is it your practice to first try to negotiate a plea agreement?
• How often do you take cases to trial?
• What is the definition of a "win?"
• Can you appear for me at court?
• What is a general practitioner versus a specialist?
• Why have you chosen to be a DUI Lawyer versus another practice area?
• Are you well-reviewed and highly-rated by former clients and peers?

Case Evaluation - During the consultation, the attorney will have questions for you about your arrest and your case. Once you have answered as best you can, you may want to go over some of the questions below about your particular case.

• Would you recommend a plea agreement or a trial in my case?
• What are the facts and circumstances that are in my favor?
• What are the factors that may go against me?
• What is your plan for the different stages of my case? (Arraignment, pretrial conference, motion hearings, trial)
• Do you have a former police officer to serve as my investigator?
• Do you have an accident reconstructionist for serious injury and death cases?
• Do you investigate every case, even if a case looks solid for the prosecution?
• Can my case be won with a duly filed and argued motion to suppress?
• Have there been any recent changes in the laws that apply to my case?
• Are there any new penalties that apply to my case?
• Do I have a fair judge assigned to my case?
• Do I have a reasonable prosecutor assigned to my case?

Representation - Now you should ask questions about the actual representation this attorney will provide.

• Will you personally appear in my case or an associate? If not, can I meet the associate?
• Who should I call with questions as they come up?
• How long does it take for you return a call when I leave a message?
• What is the best way to get in touch with you?
• Will I receive regular updates on my case or do I need to check in with you?
• Can I have my attorney's cell phone number and personal email address?
• Have you handled and won cases like mine?
• If I have an emergency on a weekend, can I get into contact with my lawyer?
• Can my attorney be reached at night?
• Can my lawyer be reached on weekends?
• Can I contact my lawyer by text message?

Legal Fees - a DUI is expensive. Many DUI lawyers in Georgia have worked out creative ways for you to pay fees.

• Do you bill by the hour or a flat fee?
• What does the cost include? What is not included?
• Are there other expenses for which I'll be responsible?
• What forms of payment do you accept?
• What payment options do you offer?
• Is any portion of the fee refundable?
• Do you take credit and debit cards?
• Is there a separate fee to go to trial or to file an appeal?
• Is there a promise of a particular outcome?
• Why are the fees for an associate less than for Mr. Lawson?
• Why not charge an hourly fee versus a flat fee?
• Is the $150 DDS filing fee part of the attorney's fees?
• Who handles paying the court reporter (stenographer)?
• Who handles paying expert witnesses?
• Who handles paying fines and court costs?

Choosing the correct attorney can make an enormous difference in your DUI case and consequently the rest of your life.

GEORGIA DUI INFORMATION:

This website should be your first resource for Georgia DUI information. It is updated on a daily basis to provide information on new cases in the DUI Blog, DUI Defenses, explanations of the various DUI Laws, and other traffic related offenses in the Practice Areas section. This website is an extensive resource covering all Georgia DUI Laws and related offenses. Information is not enough; hiring the right Georgia DUI Lawyer is the most important thing you can do after an arrest

You will also find extensive information on each jurisdiction in which our office practices. One of the most valuable reasons to hire this office is our knowledge and familiarity with local courts, customs and individuals in the law enforcement and court systems. It makes a difference to have professionals that know what to expect before beginning a case.

Richard Lawson began his career as a DUI prosecutor in Metro Atlanta and North Georgia, where he developed an intimate knowledge of each court and how DUI cases are handled. His experience prosecuting DUI cases and practicing in front of the very judges, in the very courts in which your particular case is assigned will give him valuable insight into how to provide the best defense. He is also in a unique position to negotiate the best possible plea agreement in your case, should you decide to go that route.

Richard practices throughout North Georgia and the Metro Atlanta areas. He has handled more than 4600 cases and has saved driver's licenses all over the State of Georgia.

Our Experience is the Difference - Hire Georgia's 'DUI ONLY' Defense Firm

Richard Lawson was trained by the same people who arrested you and are prosecuting the case against you. He is NHTSA Certified as a DUI Field Sobriety Testing Instructor and has taken many classes on Georgia's Intoxilyzler 5000 (the breath testing machine used in Georgia). He will put his former prosecution experience to work for you and your Georgia DUI Defense. All of the attorneys in our office are continually trained and updated on all of the latest arrest procedures and techniques, as DUI law changes every year when our legislature meets in January.  We keep up-to-date with all the latest changes to Georgia DUI Law and Georgia DUI penalties and post it here on our website.

IF YOU HAVE BEEN ARRESTED FOR DUI IN GEORGIA, YOUR RIGHT TO DRIVE WILL BE GONE IN THIRTY DAYS!

It is essential that you hire a DUI Lawyer in Georgia immediately to file your license suspension appeal and protect your privilege to drive. The Department of Driver Services only gives you thirty (30) days from the date of your arrest to request a hearing to stop the automatic suspension of your driver's license. A DUI license suspension in Georgia can be up to one year. If you were charged with a first DUI, you may be eligible for a restricted permit that will allow you to drive to and from work or school.

In the event the police have accused you of refusing to take the breath, blood, or urine tests, the consequence can be the loss of your driver's license or privilege to drive on the roadways of Georgia for a minimum period of one year. That is why time is of the essence. Contact Georgia DUI Lawyer Richard Lawson today and put his extensive experience to work for you. Your case will not defend itself, and delay can cause irreparable damage to your Georgia DUI Defense and your driving privileges. 

Call the Georgia DUI Attorney that wrote the book on Navigating DUI Drug Cases. We are experts at handling those suspected of both driving under the influence of alcohol and those suspected of driving under the influence of both illegal and prescription drugs. DUI Drugs and DUI Prescription Drugs are serious charges in Georgia and need the attention of attorneys who are experts in the defense of those charges. The evidentiary standards are different in DUI Drug cases.  You need expert representation to make sure you get a fair outcome.

The consequence for DUI Drugs can even be worse than DUI Alcohol. The same can be true for Prescription Drug DUI; which has become even more prevalent. For example, if you are convicted of DUI Drugs, you will not qualify for a permit to drive.  Never plead guilty to any case that involves marijuana or other drugs unless that offense is amended to exclude the mention of drugs in the sentence and the charge itself. Many DUI Attorneys in Georgia do not know that pleading guilty to DUI Drugs will result in a total loss of their client's drivers license.

Just because you have taken a prescription drug does not mean you are under the influence of that drug to the extent that you are less safe to drive. It is important to hire DUI Drug Lawyers and DUI Prescription Drug Lawyers to defend against those charges As mentioned, the consequences for DUI Marijuana can be even more severe than alcohol-related DUI.

Richard has assembled the best team of DUI attorneys and support staff in Georgia. We will personally handle every aspect of your case from arraignment, investigation, plea bargaining and trial.   We also have a relationship with expert appellate lawyers who can defend your rights even if you are convicted. We will do everything possible to get your conviction overturned, and we will fight for you every step of the way.

Types of Cases Handled By Our Office:

Our office handles not only DUI cases but cases related to or associated with DUI. That includes multiple offense DUI Cases (people who have had a second, third or fourth DUI), Habitual Violator, Boating Under the Influence, Juvenile DUI cases, Reckless Driving, and Hit and Run.

In addition, our office covers violations of probation in Georgia and all minor traffic offenses that are routinely associated with a DUI such as speeding, failure to maintain lane, following too close, accidents, failure to report an accident, and driving on the wrong side of the road.  We also handle suspended license cases as well as Georgia DUI Child Endangerment and Minor in Possession of Alcohol, commonly referred to as MIP.

Even if you allegedly failed a breath test or field sobriety testing, it does not mean you are guilty.  Police officers make mistakes and machines do not always work.  Our experienced Georgia DUI Attorneys and investigators will evaluate whether the police made a mistake in your Georgia DUI case.  We will also check to make sure the Intoxilyzer 5000 (the breath test) was working correctly when you took your test.

We never assume the accuracy of the breath-testing machine or the field sobriety testing used against you. We can also deal with the alleged refusal to submit to a chemical test in Georgia.  Never forget that DUI law and the court process is different in Georgia than in any other state. That's why you need a Georgia DUI Attorney.  You need someone to look for alternative punishments, possibly pleading to reckless driving or other traffic violations in the event your case cannot be won.

Training and Devotion to Justice for the Accused is the Difference:

We work hard every day to come up with strategies to help win your case.  That includes cases of Fleeing or Attempting to Elude, Hit and Run, DUI's by CDL Drivers, and cases involving Obstruction. 

Other more serious offenses can include accidents that involve a DUI,  Serious Injury by Vehicle, and Vehicular Homicide. Those serious offenses need the most qualified attorneys.  We also handle cases involving possession of marijuana.  Some of these cases begin at a roadblock and also involve people stopped for driving on a suspended license. Some people are charged after being involved in car accidents.

We make no determinations about cases up front. We do not assume you are guilty or assume you should take a plea. We also do not immediately decide to take a case to trial. We carefully evaluate the facts of each case and then analyze them according to who the prosecutor and judge are, and particular court in which the case will be handled. Each of these factors plays an important role in deciding how best to proceed. The key is to never pre-determine a course of action without first looking at all the facts and applicable case law.

Many DUI Defense attorneys simply advise clients to take whatever plea agreement the State is offering. We tend to view your case as a collaborative effort, requiring input from our attorneys and from you, as one of the most valuable members of our defense team. Your input and agreement are vital to our defense of your case.

With this in mind, we attempt to negotiate the best possible plea agreement in each case. If we arrange for a satisfactory deal, we will ensure that your rights are protected and that you receive the best possible outcome until you have finally appeared before the Judge to accept the plea agreement.

If we feel, after negotiating a plea that you could do better at trial, or that your case is one that should be fought, we will advise you of that fact and proceed along that route. Our trial attorneys are some of the best in the State, and if your case is set either in front of a judge or a jury for a trial, you will be in good hands. We will take apart the prosecutor's case, cross-examining each witness one by one. We will present the best possible defense, including expert witnesses with whom we have developed working relationships over the years. Richard and his team know which expert witnesses are the most effective at finding flaws in the prosecutor's case. Through this website, we will provide our readers the latest GA DUI Information.

Contact Us Today For Immediate Help - Current Georgia DUI Information

Top-rated Georgia DUI Lawyers - Top-rated Georgia DUI Attorneys

Our team of experts are here 24 hours a day, 7 days a week (including weekends and holidays) to explain your rights and begin your DUI Defense in Georgia. An arrest for DUI In Georgia does not mean you are guilty. Call Georgia's top-rated DUI Defense Lawyer today because you should not have to wait until Monday morning to receive advice on your DUI or traffic-related case. Your best defense begins here!

If you cannot call, this Georgia DUI Information site is your 24-hour resource for DUI information in Georgia.  Please take the time to read about the DUI Laws in our practice areas section.

We proudly serve the following counties in Metro Atlanta:

Banks County, Carroll County, Cherokee County, Clayton County, Cobb County, Dekalb County, Douglas County, Fayette County GA, Forsyth County, Fulton County, Gwinnett County, Hall County, Henry County, Jackson County GA, Newton County, Paulding County, Rockdale County, Walton County

We proudly serve the following Georgia counties:

Athens-Clarke County, Baldwin County, Barrow County, Bibb County, Bleckley County, Butts County, Clarke County, Coweta County, Crawford County GA, Greene County GA, Harris County GA, Heard County, Houston County GA, Jasper County GA, Lamar County, Laurens County, Meriwether County, Monroe County, Morgan County GA, Muscogee County, Oconee County, Oglethorpe County, Peach County, Pike County, GA Putnam County, Spalding County, Talbot County, Taylor County GA, Troup County, Upson County

We proudly serve the following Georgia cities:

Athens GA, Auburn GA, Austell, Barnesville, Braswell, Butler GA, Byron GA, Centerville GA, Cochran, Concord GA, Columbus GA, Conyers, Dacula, Dallas GA, Dublin, East Dublin, Eatonton, Ephesus, Fort Valley GA, Forsyth GA, Franklin GA, Grantville GA, Greensboro GA, Greenville GA, Griffin, Hamilton GA, Hiram, Hogansville, Jackson GA, Jeffersonville GA, LaGrange, Luthersville GA, Macon, Madison GA, Manchester GA, Milledgeville, Newnan, Pine Mountain GA, Reynolds GA, Roberta, Rutledge GA, Senoia, Shiloh GA, Statham, Talbotton GA, Thomaston GA, Union Point GA, Warm Springs, Waverly Hall, West Point GA, Winder, Winterville, Woodbury GA, Woodland GA, Woodville, Zebulon GA,

We proudly serve the following Metro Atlanta cities:

Acworth, Alpharetta, Atlanta, Aracde GA, Avondale Estates, Baldwin GA, Ball Ground, Berkeley Lake, Bowdon, Braselton, Brookhaven GA, Buford GA, Canton GA, Carrollton GA, Chamblee, Chattahoochee Hills, Clarkston, College Park GA, Commerce, Covington, Cumming, Decatur GA, Doraville, Douglasville, Duluth GA, Dunwoody, East Point, Fairburn, Fayetteville GA, Flowery Branch, Forest Park, Gainesville GA, Hapeville, Holly Springs, Hoschton, Jefferson, Johns Creek, Jonesboro GA, Kennesaw, Lake City GA, Lilburn, Lithonia, Locust Grove, Loganville, Lovejoy, Marietta, Maysville, McDonough, Milton, Monroe GA, Morrow, Mountain Park, Mount Zion GA, Nelson GA, Norcross, Oakwood GA, Oxford, Palmetto, Peachtree City, Peachtree Corners, Pendergrass, Pine Lake, Porterdale, Powder Springs, Riverdale, Roswell, Sandy Springs, Smyrna, Snellville, Social Circle, South Fulton, Stockbridge, Stone Mountain, Suwanee, Sugar Hill, Temple GA, Tucker, Tyrone, Union City, Villa Rica, Walnut Grove GA, Watkinsville, Whitesburg, Woodstock GA

We proudly serve the following North Georgia counties:

Bartow County, Catoosa County, Chattooga County,  Dade County GA, Dawson County, Elbert County, Fannin County, Floyd County, Franklin County GA, Gilmer County, Gordon County, Hart County, Lumpkin County, Madison County, Murray County, Pickens County GA, Polk County GA, Rabun County, Stephens County, Towns County, Union County GA, Walker County, Whitfield County, White County, Habersham County

We proudly serve the following North Georgia cities:

Adairsville, Alto, Aragon, Baldwin, Blairsville, Blue Ridge, Bremen, Buchanan, Calhoun, Canon, Cartersville GA, Cave Spring, Cedartown GA, Chatsworth GA, Chickamauga, Clarkesville GA, Cleveland GA, Cohutta, Comer, Cornelia GA, Dahlonega, Dalton, Danielsville, Demorest, East Ellijay, Ellijay, Elberton, Emerson, Eton, Euharlee, Fairmount, Franklin Springs, Hartwell, Helen, Hiawassee, Jasper GA, Kingston GA, LaFayette GA, Lavonia, Lookout Mountain, McCaysville, Mountain City, Resaca, Ringgold, Rome GA, Rossville, Royston, Summerville GA, Tallapoosa, Toccoa, Trenton GA, Trion, Tunnel Hill, Varnell, White GA

This website is devoted to providing those charged with DUI the most current Georgia DUI Information.