Welcome to the Georgia DUI Information Blog
"Your resource for Georgia DUI News and Information"
The laws on DUIs are ever-changing and each year, thousands of DUI cases are taken up on appeal across the nation. Many of these result in written opinions by judges that then become law. In addition, each new DUI or traffic-related offense in the news has the potential to cause changes in the law. These changes are the result of public reaction to serious car accidents and deaths on the roadways of the United States.
That is why Richard Lawson has developed this website; to provide you with 24-hour access to the latest updates on DUI laws and DUI related news. Our goal is to inform our clients and the general public about the latest news and legal decisions. Accordingly, we update our blog and the entire website daily. All of our articles are written by the Georgia DUI Lawyers that work for our firm or affiliates.
For instance, there has been a flurry of legal activity over the legality of roadblocks, in Georgia and across the nation. Seen as a minor intrusion by some courts and an unnecessary infringement upon Fourth Amendment rights by others, the matter seems far from settled. Roadblocks must be established in accordance with the United States and Georgia Constitutions. The police cannot simply have a roadblock any place or any time they want.
There also has been a rash of injuries and deaths on our roadways. The death or injury of any motorist is a tragedy, and as a result; our legislature reacts to the carnage on the road with new laws designed to curb accidents. That is why our laws change every year.
Another recent change in the law regards the 'Boating Under the Influence' legislation in the State. The Boating code was completely overhauled in 2013; attorneys who do not regularly practice DUI law might be unaware of the new changes to the law.
Knowledge is power, and this blog is designed to help you take the most updated information on your defense. It is our goal for you to use the wealth of information on this site; including the Georgia Information Blog, Resources, and Practice Areas pages to help you decide the best course of action in your DUI case.
Posted by Richard Lawson | May 11, 2018 |
It's no secret that there are many undesirable consequences of being convicted of a DUI. The financial, emotional, and psychological costs start accumulating from the moment you are pulled over by a police officer, and they certainly don't end there. A DUI charge occurs when a person is accused o...
Posted by Richard Lawson | May 10, 2018 |
A car struck a prison inmate, causing his death, while he was on work detail on Wednesday morning. The prison inmate, Hunter OConner, was struck while he was holding the stop/slow sign to alert drivers in the area. He died on the scene on Lawrenceville Highway in Gwinnett County.
Jennifer Adki...
Posted by Richard Lawson | May 09, 2018 |
Governor Nathan Deal has officially signed the hands-free distracted driving proposal into law. All of us have witnessed people driving recklessly because of the use of their cell phones. That is why Governor Deal signed the legislation. Governor Deal signed the law in Statesboro with the familie...
Posted by Richard Lawson | May 08, 2018 |
Georgia DUI Laws are complex, and as I mentioned in yesterdays post - definitely not for the general practitioner. If you have been arrested for DUI in Georgia, you need a Georgia DUI Lawyer who is well-experienced and knows how to apply Georgia DUI Defenses to your case.
The absolute worst t...
Posted by Richard Lawson | May 07, 2018 |
Following a DUI arrest in Georgia, a person typically ends up inundated with solicitations from different DUI lawyers. This can be extremely overwhelming. Choosing the right team to work with your case can be tough.
Thats why Ive chosen to post the top qualities of a top-rated Georgia DUI Law...
Posted by Richard Lawson | May 06, 2018 |
As Ive written about in other posts, DUI arrests commonly involve multiple offenses. In fact, many cases involve DUI and Disorderly Conduct charges.
Disorderly Conduct in Georgia
The Georgia Code outlines the different ways that a person can commit the offense of disorderly conduct in Georgia...
Posted by Richard Lawson | May 05, 2018 |
Offenses against Georgia law enforcement officers are taken very seriously. Getting pulled over is an extremely negative experience. Most people start panicking and unfortunately, that can sometimes mean irrational decision-making. Fight or flight might even kick in.
When this instinct kicks in...
Posted by Richard Lawson | May 04, 2018 |
Many drivers do not know that if they are arrested for a DUI in Georgia, and consent to the state-administered chemical test, that they are also entitled to their own independent test. Only a small number of drivers arrested for DUI request their own independent test because they are unaware of t...
Posted by Richard Lawson | May 04, 2018 |
Drivers in Georgia are required to submit to a chemical test if they are suspected of driving while under the influence, but you can refuse to submit to it. Sometimes, though, maybe you were just too intoxicated to refuse even though -- but for that intoxication -- you would have refused. There h...
Posted by Richard Lawson | May 03, 2018 |
The short answer is Yes. While things can get complicated, some medications and certain health conditions may cause a police officer to think you are driving under the influence. DUI cases are highly technical, and countless factors can give the appearance that you are under the influence. We h...
Posted by Richard Lawson | May 02, 2018 |
Today, Id like to focus on the most common chemical sobriety tests used in Georgia DUIs - the Georgia DUI breath and blood tests.
If the tests test positive for being over the legal limit in Georgia, then a person will be charged with a DUI in Georgia. The delineations for legal limits in Geor...
Posted by Richard Lawson | May 01, 2018 |
William Sloan was arrested for DUI in Georgia yesterday when he tried to take his child home following an elementary school play. According to reports of the incident, some nearby teachers noticed his “disruptive behavior.” Other reported detecting the smell of alcohol on him.
The teachers calle...
Posted by Richard Lawson | Apr 30, 2018 |
In April 2018, Georgia saw several high-speed chases, a plane rear-ending a car, and many other accidents. Some of them include:
On April 7th, Hannah Dawn Hartsfield was charged with driving under the influence in Moultrie, Georgia. Hartsfield is 18 years old. She was driving down Doc Darbyshir...
Posted by Richard Lawson | Apr 30, 2018 |
Both Reckless Driving and Aggressive Driving are related offenses to DUI in Georgia. The two charges are similar, but have some differences that I would like to outline in todays post.
As a Georgia DUI Lawyer, Id like to start by looking at the law behind each offense.
Reckless Driving in Geo...
Posted by Richard Lawson | Apr 29, 2018 |
An experienced Georgia DUI Lawyer knows that the rules and customs around the DUI Laws in Georgia are both extremely complicated and technical. Without professional guidance, many people interpret the laws on their own and end up facing harsh Georgia DUI Penalties.
My point in highlighting some...
Posted by Richard Lawson | Apr 28, 2018 |
The I-285 / GA-400 interchange is one of metro Atlantas most traveled areas. It is a major connection point for the distribution of goods throughout Georgia. All Atlanta citizens are aware of the traffic gridlock that occurs at this interchange. Unfortunately, things are about to get worse for A...
Posted by Richard Lawson | Apr 27, 2018 |
A 49-year-old Georgia man was recently arrested for DUI after a high-speed chase through Alpharetta. According to reports, police radar first detected the man driving at a speed of 100 MPH. He briefly attempted to slow down when he saw police, but quickly decided to take off in an attempt to evad...
Posted by Richard Lawson | Apr 26, 2018 |
If you have received a traffic ticket or been arrested for a traffic violation, or charged with a criminal offense, you will be given a date to appear in court. Failing to show up for the hearing or forgetting to pay the ticket carries severe consequences.
In most instances, you may choose to e...
Posted by Richard Lawson | Apr 25, 2018 |
DUI Drugs and possession charges tend to go hand in hand. These arrests are becoming even more of a regular occurrence in Georgia. If a person is charged with DUI Drugs or DUI Marijuana in Georgia, he or she may not qualify for a permit to drive. The penalties are extremely harsh.
So in todays...
Posted by Richard Lawson | Apr 24, 2018 |
A story broke this week about a teenage driver who is being accused of causing a fatal crash in Forsyth County.
He allegedly crossed over the center line, hitting the opposing car. The teenager was driving a sedan eastbound on Keith Bridge Road when he drifted over and collided head on with ano...
Posted by Richard Lawson | Apr 23, 2018 |
I write consistently about traffic offenses that are related with DUI arrests in Georgia such as Failure to Maintain Lane in Georgia or Aggressive Driving in Georgia. Today I will focus on Illegal Stopping on a Roadway in Georgia. Most people dont even know this is an offense. Most of the time t...
Posted by Richard Lawson | Apr 22, 2018 |
A story just broke yesterday about a driver who allegedly crashed into an Alpharetta Police Officer after a high speed chase that began in Roswell on GA 400. The driver, John Bolling, was clocked going 143 MPH on the interstate in an attempt to get away from authorities.
According to the report...
Posted by Richard Lawson | Apr 21, 2018 |
MTV reality star, Britni Thornton, was arrested for driving under the influence on April 14th, 2018. Thornton began a reality tv star in 2015 when she appeared on the dating competition show “Are You the One.” She then starred in “The Challenge” on two different occasions.
Britni Thornton was a...
Posted by Richard Lawson | Apr 20, 2018 |
If youre involved in a Georgia car accident and are suspected of being under the influence of drugs or alcohol, the consequences can be harsh. This is true even if there were no significant bodily injuries or property damage. However, it is always best to stay at the scene and take responsibilit...
Posted by Richard Lawson | Apr 19, 2018 |
When arrested for a DUI or any other criminal case, it can be stressful. Sometimes a person is given their arraignment date at the time they make bond. Others are notified by mail. In either situation, it can be stressful. We are here to help you. If you or a loved one has been arrested or has a...