Barrow County DUI Lawyer - Barrow County DUI Attorney

We all know that a DUI arrest can be a frightening and embarrassing thing to experience.  Most people arrested for DUI have never been arrested or had any involvement with law enforcement at all.  Just the thought of fines, jail time, and going to court would make anyone feel like there is no hope.

DUIs ARE COMMON AND CAN EVEN HAPPEN IN BARROW COUNTY

Driving Under the Influence (DUI) occurs everywhere, even in small cities and counties.  The fundamental element of a DUI arrest is the same: a person's blood-alcohol content (BAC) is over a particular legal limit while he or she is operating a motor vehicle.  Georgia law considers being under the influence of drugs (even prescription drugs) while operating a motor vehicle to be DUI as well.  That is true even if the drugs do not cause impairment.  For example, marijuana metabolites remain in a person's system up to 30 days after use but are only impaired for a few hours.  That is why our Barrow County DUI Attorneys are well-trained in the toxicology of both alcohol and drugs.

DUIs IN BARROW COUNTY, GA NEED SKILLED LEGAL ASSISTANCE

Richard Lawson, a former DUI Prosecutor, knows the legal system well.  Wouldn't you want an attorney with experience as a prosecutor who knows all about BOTH sides of your case?

For over twenty years, Richard has defended individuals that have been arrested for DUI in Barrow County, and all over Georgia.  Check out his incredible reviews on Avvo.

DID YOU KNOW?  YOU HAVE TWO CASES AGAINST YOU WHEN YOU ARE CHARGED WITH DUI: A CRIMINAL CASE AND A CIVIL CASE:

GEORGIA DUI LICENSE SUSPENSION AND THE 30-DAY LETTER:

The State of Georgia has certain rules and regulations that one must abide by to have a driver's license.  Remember, driving is a privilege, not a right, and that privilege can be taken from anyone that does not abide by Georgia's DUI laws and regulations.  The officer who arrested you for DUI has TWO cases against you: a criminal court case and an Administrative License (ALS) case.  The criminal case begins on the date listed for court on your citation.  The Georgia ALS Process starts IMMEDIATELY.  You only have THIRTY (30) days to file a request for a hearing or you can request to have an ignition interlock device installed or your license will be suspended automatically.  The State of Georgia's fee to set the hearing is $150. Contact a skilled DUI Lawyer in Barrow County today.  

You need an experienced DUI Attorney in Barrow County to protect your driver's license because losing your driving privilege is a nightmare.  If you refused the officer's request to test your breath, blood, or urine, you are facing a suspension period of ONE YEAR, with no opportunity for a restricted permit.  If you submitted to testing but tested over the legal limit of 0.08, your license suspension may last for only 30 days. You may be eligible for a limited permit to allow you to drive to work and/or school.  Richard and his team will file a hearing request on your behalf to appeal this AUTOMATIC suspension of your driving privileges.

Remember, the process for the ALS hearing is separate from the DUI case.  That is very complicated, so make sure you choose a lawyer that has plenty of experience with this sort of hearing.  Having an attorney take care of it for you makes it less confusing, and you can avoid the hassle.  Richard's office has handled countless ALS hearings and will appear for you to make things simpler.  You do not have to rearrange your life by taking time from work, or arranging for childcare to attend the hearing in person.

At the ALS hearing, the officer who arrested you for DUI will be there.  He or she will give testimony, just as they would in a trial.  No two ALS hearings are alike, and your attorney will search for possible defenses to save your driver's license from suspension.  Our Barrow County attorneys are experts at handling ALS hearings in a skilled and professional manner.

An ALS hearing, though separate and distinct from your court case, can nonetheless help your Barrow County DUI Attorney defend your criminal case.  At an ALS hearing, the officer's testimony is recorded and transcribed, and our attorneys always obtain copies of this testimony.  Any discrepancies between the officer's testimony at the ALS hearing and your criminal trial can be used to impeach the officer, or call his credibility into question.  An experienced attorney knows how to pinpoint these discrepancies and use them to your advantage.

THE BARROW COUNTY DUI COURT PROCESS IN BARROW COUNTY, GEORGIA

The arraignment is your first appearance in court.  If we are representing you, we will let the court know you have an attorney.  You do not have to attend the arraignment, as we will send a Barrow County DUI Lawyer on your behalf.

After the “Entry of Appearance” is filed, we will look deeper into your case to look for possible defenses.  We will obtain copies of police reports/videos and recorded statements that were taken during the initial police investigation, as well as the transcription of your ALS hearing.

Once we have obtained this evidence, we will take the time to go over every minute detail of your case with you so you will know what is going on each step of the way.   We do not take the trust you place in us lightly, and we try to stay in touch as much as possible to answer any questions that may come up.  Your input and insight are invaluable, and we could not be successful in defending your case without it!

There are three stages your DUI case will move through arraignment, pretrial, and trial.  We will be in contact with you whether in-person or by telephone, to answer questions and offer support.  Our Barrow County DUI Attorneys know your time is valuable.

A DUI can have a tremendous impact on one's life.  How can you be sure you have chosen the right Barrow County DUI Attorney?

At the Law Offices of Richard Lawson, we offer you a no-charge, hassle-free consultation to give you an opportunity to discuss your case with an experienced attorney to make the best decision for you.  Please see our website for frequently asked questions (FAQs) for answers to your questions.  Our attorneys are available twenty-four hours a day, seven days a week to answer your calls.  We know your life is busy and hectic, and you may not be able to meet with an attorney during regular business hours.  If you are not able to make it to one of our offices, we can set up teleconferences to discuss your case.  We value your time and want to make things as easy as possible.

BARROW COUNTY'S MOST REVIEWED DUI BARROW COUNTY DUI ATTORNEYS

Our office exclusively handles DUI and DUI-related cases.  We are not general practitioners.  We will not handle your divorce, draft your great grandmother's will, or help you incorporate your business.  You should choose a DUI attorney that is up-to-date with Georgia's DUI laws, which are complicated and are always changing.  Only a specialist can keep up with Georgia's ever-evolving DUI laws.

Richard Lawson is a well-known DUI defense expert and has given DUI Defense seminars to other attorneys in Georgia and throughout the United States.  Choose the attorney that has trained others in DUI defense best practices.  

HOW TO CHALLENGE EVIDENCE IN YOUR BARROW COUNTY GA DUI CASE

Defense of actual impairment is typically done by challenging the officer's field sobriety tests and the test requested by the State of your blood, breath, or urine.  Possible defenses could be that you were not impaired, you were NOT driving under the influence, and the test(s) are wrong.  The Breathalyzer could have malfunctioned or may not have been correctly calibrated.  That would call for expert testimony, and Richard has relationships with experts that he can call to challenge the evidence against you and play a pivotal role in your case.

HOW TO CHALLENGE PROCEDURES USED IN YOUR BARROW COUNTY GEORGIA ARREST

How was the DUI investigation conducted and what happened when you were arrested?  Challenging the arrest process can be the most important component of your case and its defense. Police officers have to follow certain procedures and policies during an arrest that are in line with the law, the United State Constitution, and the Georgia Constitution.

Procedural defenses are typically presented to the judge before a trial date is set.  Our experienced Barrow County Lawyers will raise questions about how your DUI investigation was executed and if a violation of your rights occurred.  We will then begin to file written motions to state why we feel your rights were violated during the investigation.

One important procedural question is whether the officer had “reasonable suspicion” to effectuate the stop in the first place.  Law enforcement officers may not pull you over based on a “hunch.”  If they do pull you over, there must be a reason that he or she can accurately point to, and the officer should be ready to come to court and testify to that fact under oath.  DUI stops are generally, though not always, the result of a driver violating a traffic law.  If the police do not have a reason to stop you, your case could get dismissed.

Another common defense deals with “probable cause.”  An officer must have probable cause to effectuate an arrest for DUI.  That is based on the entirety of the circumstances surrounding the encounter between the driver and the officer.  He or she must be able to show they have enough evidence to prove you had committed a crime.  The officer will usually point to a person's driving, that person's performance on field sobriety testing, any admission of drinking, and the driver's mannerisms and behavior to prove that probable cause existed.  It is ultimately for the judge to decide whether or not the evidence against you was sufficient for an arrest.  If the judge can be convinced that the evidence was not sufficient, your case could be dismissed.

Implied consent rights violations and constitutionality of DUI roadblocks are other useful procedural defenses.  We get many cases that come through our office dismissed by procedural challenges.

BARROW COUNTY DUI COURT SYSTEM EXPLAINED:

If you are arrested in Barrow County for DUI, there are a few courts that could have jurisdiction over your case.  Typically, if your arrest occurred within the limits of an incorporated city, your case will be heard in municipal court.  Our Barrow County DUI Lawyers are familiar with all of the city courts in Barrow County GA.

Winder Municipal Court

If you were arrested within the city limits of Winder, choose the best DUI Attorney in Winder to defend you your case in Winder Municipal Court. Court is held on Fridays at 9:00 AM at the Barrow County Courthouse located at 652 Barrow Park Drive, Winder, Georgia 30680.  Judge Steve Nicholas would preside.  The Solicitor is Ronda Leary, and the Clerk of Court is Megan Williams.  Court check-in time is 8:30 AM.  The phone number is 678-425-6883, and the clerk's office hours are Monday through Friday, 8:00 PM to 5:00 PM. An experienced Winder DUI Lawyer can make all the difference in your case.  

Auburn GA Municipal Court

If your DUI arrest occurred in Auburn, Georgia, your case deserves a top notch Auburn DUI Lawyer to fight for you in Auburn Municipal Court.  Judge G.  Hammond Law, III is the Chief Judge, and Meg Grant is the chief clerk of court. Mari Lee Chambers is the Solicitor, and Robert Piccarreto is the public defender.  Court is held on the second and fourth Wednesday of every month.  Check-in time for all court sessions is 8:00 AM.  The address is 1361 Fourth Avenue, Auburn, Georgia 30011.  The phone number is 770-963-4002.  Office hours are Monday through Thursday 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM and Friday 8:00 AM to 1:00 PM.  Our DUI Attorneys in Auburn GA are waiting to discuss your case.  

Map to Auburn GA Municipal Court

Braselton Municipal Court

If you are arrested and charged with DUI in the city of Braselton, it gets a bit confusing, but not for a Braselton DUI Lawyer.  Braselton is unique because the city is partially in Jackson, Hall, Gwinnett, and Barrow counties.  As a result, if someone is charged with DUI in Braselton, his or her case will begin in Braselton Municipal Court. The address of the Braselton City Court is 5040 Highway 53 Braselton, GA 30517.

If he or she ultimately requests a jury trial, however, the trial could take place in Jackson County State Court, Barrow County Superior Court, Gwinnett County State Court, or Hall County State Court.  Since Braselton is located in four counties, there could be strategic reasons to decide (or not) to send the case to a jury trial.  Our DUI Attorneys in Braselton know all of the above-listed court systems, judges and prosecutors.

Map to Braselton Municipal Court

Statham Municipal Court

If your arrest and DUI charge happened in the city of Statham, your case would need a DUI Attorney in Statham to defend you in Statham Municipal Court.  Court is held at the Statham Community Center at 336 Jefferson Street, Statham, Georgia 30666.  Court dates vary.  For information about a citation or court date, contact the court clerk, Patti Powell at 770-725-5455, Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM.  Michael Strickland is the Chief Judge; Ben Green is the Solicitor, and James Rogers is the Public Defender. Speak with a Statham DUI Lawyer as soon as possible.  

Map to Statham Municipal Court

Barrow County Probate Court

If your misdemeanor DUI arrest occurred in an unincorporated area of Barrow County, your case would be heard in Barrow County Probate Court.  The Honorable Tammy Brown is the Probate Court Judge.  Court is held at 652 Barrow Park Drive, Suite D, Winder, Georgia 30680.  Office hours are Monday through Friday, 8 AM until 5 PM.  Call (770) 307-3045 for more information. If you would like a jury trial, your case would be bound over to Barrow County Superior Court.  

Map to Barrow County Probate Court

Barrow County Superior Court

If you elect to exercise your absolute right to a jury trial in Barrow County GA, your case will be transferred (bound-over) from city court to the Barrow County Superior Court. That means that any jury trial for a misdemeanor DUI will be heard in Superior Court. Our Barrow County DUI Lawyers are familiar with the court process in Barrow County Superior Court.

For felony DUI cases in Barrow County GA, your case will also be heard by a Superior Court Judge from the Piedmont Judicial Circuit.  The court address is 652 Barrow Park Drive, NW, Winder, Georgia 30680.  The phone number is 770-867-8993.  The Clerk of Superior Court is Regina McIntyre, and her phone number is 770-307-3035.  Office hours are Monday-Friday, 8:00 am-5:00 pm.  Chief Judge David Motes, Senior Judge T Penn McWhorter, and Associate Judge Currie Mingledorff, II, all have their offices located at 652 Barrow Park Drive, Winder, Georgia 30680. Judge Mote's phone number is 770-307-3032; Judge McWhorter: 770-307-2981; Judge Mingledorff: 770-867-1162.  Wayne McLocklin and Joseph Booth are associate judges, and their offices are at 5000 Jackson Parkway, Suite 330, Jefferson, Georgia 30549. Judge McLocklin and Judge Booth's office number is 706-387-6392.

Map to Barrow County Superior Court

HOW DO I GET MORE INFORMATION ON GEORGIA DUI LAW?

This site was created to give you the most up-to-date DUI information 24 hours a day, seven days a week, and is updated daily.  Please see Georgia DUI News in our Georgia DUI Information Blog.  The Law Offices of Richard Lawson serves DUI clients state-wide. A skilled, experienced DUI Attorney in Barrow County is ready to speak with you about your case anytime: days, nights, weekends, even holidays!  A DUI Attorney in Barrow County is on-call when you need help.

TOP-RATED DUI LAWYERS IN BARROW COUNTY, GEORGIA:

Contact us for a free consultation if you need an experienced legal professional to represent you after an arrest for DUI or a DUI-related offense.  We are available for taking your call to go over your case in detail anytime, day or night.  Do not put your life on the line with an inexperienced attorney.  Don't delay, call us as soon as possible, we are waiting to help you. Hire a DUI Lawyer in Barrow County from our office today. The Barrow County DUI Lawyers in our office are here to help 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

Barrow County DUI Resources

Barrow County Sheriff's Office

Barrow County Clerk of Superior Court

Barrow County District Attorney

Winder Police Department

Barrow County Wikipedia  

Have You Been Arrested for DUI in Barrow County Georgia?