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.
Some judges and alternative DUI sentencing programs mandate that offenders download popular ridesharing apps such as Uber and Lyft. The ridesharing giants themselves have published blogs and other media touting themselves as partners in the fight against drunk driving, with Uber citing an all...
From DUIs to failing to maintain lane, there were a plethora of traffic accidents in February 2018. Some of the incidents include: On February 1st, Michael Brooks was arrested relating to a crash that occurred on January 5th that killed east Alabama State Representative George Bandy. Police su...
Ive been writing recently about charges that frequently accompany DUI in Georgia. One of these associated charges is the offense of Open Container in Georgia. The Open Container charge can actually enhance punishment against you in your DUI Case. The Georgia Code defines open container as “the ...
Seeing the blue lights behind you is never a good feeling. Whether you rolled through a stop sign or were driving under the influence, it is always stressful when being pulled over. After the initial shock, many people wonder what steps they need to take to resolve their ticket. People often won...
Distracted Driving in Georgia has been illegal since 2010. According to the Georgia Code, “no person who is 18 years of age or older or who has a Class C license shall operate a motor vehicle on any public road or highway of this state while using a wireless telecommunications device to write, se...
In yesterdays post, I explained and outlined an ALS Hearing in Georgia. I mentioned in the first paragraph that you have a choice between filing an appeal of your license suspension after being arrested for DUI in Georgia and installing an ignition interlock device into your vehicle. Id like to...
Most people dont know that in Georgia, there are two different court hearings - the criminal proceeding and the ALS Hearing. An ALS Hearing is an Administrative License Suspension Hearing. ALS is known as the 30 day letter because a Georgia DUI Lawyer must file an appeal of your license suspensi...
A victim impact panel is a two-hour class you may be ordered to attend after a DUI conviction. You pay a fee to attend this court-ordered program and receive a certificate when you have completed it. Unlike the fines or jail time that may result from a conviction, the official purpose of a DUI vi...
Most of our clients are understandably concerned with whether they will have to serve time in jail for a DUI conviction and how much time they will serve. The short answer is that time in jail is possible for any DUI conviction in Georgia; however, it is not a certainty. In fact, there are argume...
Ive been writing recently on related offenses that go “hand in hand” with the offense of DUI in Georgia. Another very common charge with DUI is Obstruction of Law Enforcement Officers in Georgia. A simple way to look at it is when police officers feel that a person is both knowingly and willfull...
While we are only two months into 2018, there have been numerous DUI accidents so far this year that have taken many lives. DUI cases are prevalent across the nation and are a concern in every state. Nationwide, the BAC limit is .08, but some states have already been advocating for a lower limit....
DUI consequences in Georgia will have a massive impact on your life if you are not properly defended in court. The consequences can affect your job, school, future employment - the list goes on. The good news is that there are alternative punishments and defenses available to you if you have been...
When a person receives a DUI in Georgia, there is usually another traffic offense. This is because a police officer has to have a reason for pulling you over. Our team of lawyers are experienced in DUI Defense in Georgia, which includes any traffic offenses related to your DUI charges. The most...
Weve received many calls in the past couple of weeks regarding DUI Expungement in Georgia. Unfortunately, a DUI conviction can NEVER be expunged or restricted from your criminal record. The only way the prosecuting attorney may allow expungement of the charge from your record is if your DUI char...
For many of those arrested for DUI, there is an immediate concern that arises the moment the handcuffs click: what will happen to my car? When you are taken into police custody, you can no longer look after and safeguard our vehicle. Many people worry that it could be damaged; some wonder if the ...
Being an Habitual Violator in Georgia means that youve committed three major offenses within a five-year period of time. These major offenses include DUIs in Georgia. If youve been declared an Habitual Violator, you will get a five-year license suspension, and after two years, you may qualify f...
In November 2017, Lindley Middle Schools crossing guard was hit and killed when trying to escort children across the road. A driver, Lamonte Whitaker, aggressively drove in the center lane during heavy traffic in the designated school zone where the speed limit was 25 mph. Many witnesses told of...
Any qualified and experienced Georgia DUI Lawyer knows the rules and customs of the court system in Georgia. Without guidance, there are many misconceptions about DUIs in Georgia that can actually lead to an accused person making poor judgments about his or her case. Sometimes this judgments resu...
DUI Court in Georgia is a court supervised DUI treatment program offered throughout the state of Georgia. DUI Court is usually offered to repeat DUI offenders in Georgia. If a prosecutor and a judge believe that a repeat has substance abuse issues, they will recommend DUI Court. This is an extr...
Today, Id like to focus on both Georgia DUI breath and blood tests. The most common test is the breath test. Breath tests are the fastest, most convenient, and easiest tests for law enforcement officers to utilize in a suspected DUI situation. However, they are not the most reliable. The breath ...
Only medicinal marijuana is legal in Georgia. It has been for a while now, but the law is much more limited in Georgia than elsewhere. For people facing physical pain for their various elements, the legalization of it has been a saving grace, that is, for their pain at least. Some have found them...
A police chase in Coweta County last Friday night resulted in a young woman being charged with DUI-Drugs, Driving on a Suspended License, Fleeing and Eluding Officers, Possession of Narcotics, and more. The night started after a Coweta County officer allegedly watched Shanna Sheets drift in and...
A judge who once presided over DUI cases in Pennsylvania has been sentenced after his own 2017 DUI. Thomas Kistler found himself on the other side of the law after he was found driving under the influence with a blood alcohol content of .231 last September. Charges were filed after Kistlers ve...
Yesterday, I posted a blog about DUI Less Safe in Georgia. I mentioned that DUI Less Safe Drugs is another way for someone to receive a DUI charge even if they are below the legal limit for BAC. Today, Id like to expand on DUI Less Safe Drugs in Georgia, since the charge is becoming increasing...
One of the most common misconceptions about DUIs in the state of Georgia is that if you blow under the legal limit of 0.08, then you cant be charged with a DUI. There are actually two ways that you can be convicted of driving under the influence even if you blew under 0.08. The first way is DU...
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!
