Berkeley Lake DUI Lawyer – Berkeley Lake DUI Attorney
Berkeley Lake DUI Defense
The Law Office of Richard Lawson is a legal firm that exclusively handles DUI and DUI-related cases. Richard Lawson is a former DUI prosecutor and has over 25 years' experience in Georgia DUI Law. He is the top-rated DUI attorney in the state. Please look over his reviews on the attorney rating site Avvo and contact us for a free consultation if you need an experienced DUI Lawyer in Berkeley Lake.
30-Day Warning!
If you have been arrested for DUI in Berkeley Lake, or anywhere in Gwinnett County, you only have thirty days to save your license from suspension. You (or your Berkeley Lake DUI Lawyer) must file an Administrative License Suspension (ALS) hearing request or an ignition interlock device request within thirty days of your arrest or your license will automatically be suspended. If you have been accused of refusing the state's chemical test of your breath, blood, or urine, your driver's license will be suspended for one year with no chance for a restricted permit. Since a license suspension can affect your livelihood, it is crucial to hire a Berkeley Lake DUI attorney as soon as possible to handle your ALS hearing.
The Cost of a DUI
Individuals who have been arrested for DUI face serious legal consequences as well as the high cost at a DUI. The most expensive fees are not the cost of a Berkeley Lake DUI Lawyer or fighting your case in court. Contrary to popular belief, the largest expenses come from increased fines and fees from a DUI conviction or pleading guilty to DUI charges. Knowing how to fight the charges against you can keep you from paying more DUI costs.
A motorist who is arrested for DUI will usually have their automobile impounded and have to pay high impound fees to get it back. Georgia DUI laws become increasingly severe with each passing year. Even a first-time offender can face a minimum fine of $1000, a driver's license suspension, and more. For second offenders who are required to have an Ignition Interlock Device installed in their vehicle, that can cost upwards of $2000 with installation charges and monthly fees.
By the time in person makes bail and pays fines and fees, a DUI can cost up to $10,000, and that is if there was no accident or no one was injured. Here are some costs that are sometimes forgotten when deciding to plead guilty to “just get it over with”:
- Insurance premiums can increase. You can expect your auto insurance to go up, but many people do not know that life insurance premiums can also rise, especially if the company asks insurers if their driver's license has ever been suspended.
- Lost time at work means a loss of pay. If you have been arrested for DUI, you could miss work due to court dates, community service, or time in jail. That does not even include a loss of your free time.
- Losing your driver's license could mean losing your job. Lots of people drive to and from work, school, and other obligations; not to mention if driving is part of your job.
- A DUI can affect your professional license. No one wants a DUI offender flying a plane or taking care of their loved ones in the emergency room. If you are a physician, airline pilot, nurse, or lawyer, a DUI conviction could cause you lose your license status.
- A DUI does not look good on a job application or resume. A DUI conviction will be on your record and employers can see it if they do a background check, harming any future job prospects.
With the high cost a DUI attorney fees, some attorneys may charge a low fee to enter a guilty plea. However, with so much at stake, many choose to fight their charges.
How Much Does a Berkeley Lake DUI Attorney Cost?
Learning what options you have for fighting your Berkeley Lake DUI charge depends on the unique facts of your arrest. That is why you should contact the Law Offices of Richard Lawson to speak to a skilled Berkeley Lake DUI Attorney about your case and what costs you could expect to pay for legal representation after analyzing the details of your arrest. A good Berkeley Lake DUI Lawyer will then explain what defenses are available to you and how they can argue to get your case dismissed or your charges reduced.
A seasoned Berkeley Lake DUI Attorney knows that every case is different, and will look at your case carefully to give you an accurate quote for representation. Attorneys fees are based on:
- The difficulty and complexity of the case
- Estimated time associated
- The attorney's experience and track record
Why You Should Hire a Berkeley Lake DUI Lawyer
A lot of people Think they can save money by choosing to fight the case without a lawyer. Although it is your legal right to represent yourself in court, it is imperative you know that only and experienced Berkeley Lake DUI Attorney will know how to get you the best outcome in a DUI case. DUI is a very technical and complex area of law with new rules and procedures for testing that only a trained DUI specialist can know how to be successful in fighting and winning cases in court. One thing is for certain, when looking at all the potential costs of a DUI, you will not regret hiring a DUI Attorney in Berkeley Lake if you were otherwise thinking of representing yourself.
Berkeley Lake Municipal Court
Berkeley Lake Municipal Court is responsible for hearing city ordinance and traffic violations that occur within the city limits of Berkeley Lake.
Court evidence for city citations for violations is heard once a quarter on the second Wednesday if March, June, September, and December at 5:30 (if needed). Other court dates and times are scheduled as needed. It is a good idea to check for other dates in the City of Berkeley Lake Calendar.
Berkeley Lake Municipal Court is held in the Berkeley Lake City Hall auditorium to the right if the main entrance at 4040 South Berkeley Lake Road, Berkeley Lake, GA 30096.
Roxanne Egan is the Chief Court Clerk, and the Honorable Charles L. Barrett, III is the Municipal Court Judge. Office hours are Monday – Thursday, 11 AM – 4 PM. Call (770) 368-9484 (extension 104) for more information.
Map to Berkeley Lake Municipal Court
Experience Counts
When you have been arrested for DUI in Berkeley Lake, you have a lot at stake. Do not choose just any attorney you find on the Internet or in the phone book. You want an expert, and at the Law Offices of Richard Lawson, every attorney is a DUI expert. Your future and freedom are worth more than a general practitioner. Contact us today to have your case evaluated by one of our Berkeley Lake DUI Lawyers. You will not regret it. Our Berkeley Lake DUI Attorneys are available 24 hours a day, seven days a week for you. Call now.
Berkeley Lake DUI Resources
Gwinnett County Police Department
Gwinnett County Sheriff's Department
Administrative Office of the Courts
Gwinnett County District Attorney
Georgia Department of Driver Services
Wikipedia of Berkeley Lake Georgia