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.
A charge for Public Drunk happens more frequently than most people think it does - especially in Georgia. A lot of times individuals get charged with Public Drunkenness when they are actually attempting to avoid driving under the influence. The charge itself requires more than just being intoxic...
Georgia law is very serious about maintaining the protection of children. Georgia DUIs are treated very seriously – the offense is heightened even more when theres a child involved. The prosecution and even the judge will look strictly upon accused DUI drivers when a child is involved in the cas...
Obstruction of a Law Enforcement Officer refers most simply to when an officer feels that a person is knowingly and willfully hindering them from conducting his or her duties. It ranges from something as serious as trying to fight the officer to something as nominal as cussing at the officer. DU...
I am writing todays post because as a Georgia DUI Lawyer, I spend a lot of time focusing my writing on breath and blood tests used in DUI cases. But in the majority of DUI arrests, officers administer Field Sobriety Tests in Georgia as well. Field Sobriety Tests are used to show a correlation ...
On Sunday, April 8th, Eric Grigsby was arrested on DUI charges. Grigsby was the assistant principal at Waddell Elementary School in Columbus, Georgia. According to Grigsby, he was trying to turn around, but he was unaware that he was on fairgrounds. Witnesses said that his car went through a barr...
It is never a good idea to transport contraband or illegal items if you are under the influence of drugs or alcohol. Why? If you are arrested, police will undoubtedly search your vehicle. A Floyd County man recently learned this the hard way when, after being pulled over on suspicion of DUI, poli...
For a first, second, or subsequent DUI, the majority of courts require drivers to undergo a drug and alcohol clinical evaluation. After two or more DUIs within ten years, the State requires the driver to complete a clinical assessment to reinstate their license. This clinical evaluation is diffe...
DUI School is required in all DUI cases in Georgia. If the outcome of a case is a DUI conviction, Georgia judges order people to complete certain requirements, which includes DUI School in Georgia. Georgia DUI Penalties are serious and can be life-altering. Hiring a Georgia DUI Lawyer is extre...
Georgia DUI Laws are complicated and 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. Each and every DUI case is different. No lawyer or website can acc...
I posted Saturday about the charter bus accident on the way to the Masters last Thursday. Bus driver, Stephen Hoppenbrouwer, was charged with driving under the influence of drugs, failure to maintain lane, and several counts of serious injury by vehicle in Georgia. As of right now, Hoppenbrouwer...
As a Georgia DUI Lawyer, I get asked a lot of questions about what happens if someone has refused testing in their DUI case. Its a difficult decision to make when confronted with either submitting or refusing a breath and blood test when youve been accused of driving under the influence. The st...
The week of the Masters is an exciting week in Georgia. Thousands of people flock to Augusta to watch the major golf tournament. However, this past Thursday morning, some fans loaded onto a charter bus. Their bus left Atlanta heading to Augusta but crashed in Columbia County Georgia. Stephen Hopp...
If you take the gamble and get behind the wheel of a car after having a few drinks, you run the risk of getting a DUI. DUI - driving under the influence -- is a serious offense that can change your life forever. If you are arrested and charged with a DUI, just how long will it stay on your record...
Many people wonder why the fact that they have been arrested in the past matters in their current situation. It is a valid question that needs to be addressed. In fairness, people should be judged on the facts and circumstances of their current case, not the fact that they have been previously a...
A DUI can have serious consequences, including jail time, fines, and the automatic suspension of your Georgia drivers license. Can getting a DUI also affect your ability to go to school? If you plan on applying for federal or state financial aid, it might. When you fill out the FAFSA or apply fo...
Ive recently written a few blogs on the topic of DUI and vehicular homicide in Georgia. Vehicular homicide is arguably the gravest type of car accident one can be charged with – especially when the death of another human is the result of driving under the influence. However, even minor car accid...
The laws surrounding DUI can be extremely technical and confusing to the average person and even to some attorneys. There are some misconceptions and myths about DUIs in Georgia that I would like to explore today. All of these points emphasize the importance of hiring an experienced Georgia DUI ...
Casey Hunter was recently sentenced for causing a crash in February 2017 that killed a young woman. She was convicted of first-degree vehicular homicide in addition to driving while license suspended, no proof of insurance and having an altered tag. According to the Cobb County DA, the judge on ...
Georgia DUI Laws are severe. At this point most states have changed their DUI laws to look increasingly similar. However, each state has their differences, and its important to have local legal representation who can walk you through your options and the overall process when charged in an unfami...
Traffic law includes a wide variety of crimes ranging from a “rolling stop” to reckless driving, to DUI. No matter the crime, the Law Office of Lawson and Berry can help. Our Georgia Traffic Lawyers have over 50 years of criminal defense experience. Some of the traffic-related incidents that oc...
What is a Habitual Violator in Georgia? You will be declared a Habitual Violator in Georgia if you have committed three major offenses such as DUI within a 5 year period of time. Once declared a Habitual Violator, if nothing else happens, your license will be suspended for five years. After bein...
In law, there are limits as to how far a particular entitys power reaches. If an entity, such as a court or a law enforcement agency, overreaches and exerts power where it isnt legally allowed to, this can affect whether or not the case can even go forward. Thus, jurisdiction matters. This is ...
The laws surrounding seat belts have gotten increasingly stricter over the years. Most people remember when you did not have to wear a seat belt when riding in a truck and when it was legal to forego wearing your seatbelt. Now, all across Georgia, you can see the signs stating “click it or tick...
Sometimes when I ask a client to walk me through his or her arrest, they will let me know that they were never read their rights. Most of the time they are referring to what most people consider their Miranda Rights in Georgia. People tend to believe that if they get arrested for DUI, an office...
March is an exciting month for basketball and teams travel all over the country to compete in March Madness. West Georgias Technical College womens basketball team was going to Maryland for the NJCAA Division III District Championship when they were in an accident. The teams bus driver, Willie...
At the Law Office of Richard S. Lawson, we have offices conveniently located throughout metro Atlanta and throughout Georgia. If we do not have a convenient office, we will come to you. We practice throughout Metro Atlanta and North Georgia. If your case is in an area we do not serve, we will find you an attorney in your area free of charge. Our office is part of a State-wide network of Georgia DUI Lawyers. Contact us 24/7 for immediate legal help. Our attorneys are standing by. Your DUI Case will not defend itself. Your Best Georgia DUI Defense Begins Here!
