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.
Most Georgia DUI cases are resolved with a settlement. In criminal law, a settlement is called a plea bargain. What is not understood is that there are three different variations of how a case can be closed with a plea. Negotiated Plea Agreement: When both the State's attorney and defense cou...
The short answer is “no,” our laws are uniform throughout Georgia. However, punishments do vary depending on the jurisdiction. In reality, when someone asks whether DUI laws are different throughout Georgia, they are essentially asking a question about Georgia DUI Penalties, and what they can e...
Over the past few weeks, there has been a rash of highway injuries and fatalities. It seems like every day I am reading about a new car crash. Please drive safely and remember the following: Avoid excessive speeding. You are a Super Speeder in Georgia if you are convicted of speeding at 75...
Today, we learned in news reports that it appears as if Venus Williams was not at fault in the car accident that unfortunately resulted in a fatality. At first, it was assumed based on "expert accident reconstruction," that Venus Williams was at fault in the crash. As always, the police were ...
The short answer is “yes;” however the Georgia DUI Lawyers at my office can help prevent you from going to jail. When a person “bonds out” for a criminal offense in Georgia, their release is conditional. The conditions of the release always include that he or she “shall not violate the laws of...
I was reading in the AJC that Tiger Woods has already completed an intensive treatment program after receiving his DUI case about a month ago. The message that he has completed counseling may lead people to believe that they can be treated far more quickly than is realistic. As a Georgia DUI La...
Fourth of July is a time of increased accidents and fatalities on American roadways, due in part to the sheer number of travelers but also due to the amount of alcohol consumption. While anti-DUI campaigns make a rigorous case against drunken driving and drivers are always advised against getting...
As for July 1, 2017, Georgia has amended its DUI laws to include both new options and new restrictions. The former law called gave no options. Accused DUI drivers had a limited period to request a hearing or their driver's license would be suspended. With the new Georgia DUI Law, Georgia lic...
"Yes!" Moreover, with the new Georgia DUI law, (as amended July 1st, 2017) you have more options than under the prior law. One of the problems we Georgia DUI Attorneys have always had is how to defend people who have refused to take a breath or blood test. In cases where a person takes a test...
On every major holiday, my office warns people to be careful and to be responsible with their alcohol consumption. The problem is that no one reads this Georgia DUI Information website before he or she is charged with a DUI. So, the advice becomes mute. This year, I want to both warn people t...
On July 1st, 2017, the first major revision of Georgia's DUI Laws went into effect. This article will address the advantage of Georgia's new administrative license law. Before the changes, clients only had one option. They had to file a hearing request within ten days of their arrest. Failure...
Effective July 1, 2017, Georgia drivers must now choose between filing an appeal of their license suspension of installing an ignition interlock device instead of the appeal. This Georgia DUI Information website will be discussing these changes for the next several months. However, the highlight...
The story in the AJC about the Marietta man who fled the scene of an accident while his passenger dies is sobering and should bring to everyone's attention to never leave the scene of an accident. In the 22 years that I have practiced law, no one has ever been better off after leaving the sce...
Former Bravo reality fitness star Jackie Warner recently saw all charges dismissed relating to her February DUI charge, with the help of her DUI attorney. This included 2 counts of DUI, one count of assault with a deadly weapon and one count of hit and run. TMZ compared Warner's plea deal to a 's...
One of the first questions people ask when they get arrested for a DUI is how long are they going to lose their license for a DUI conviction in Georgia. Most people depend upon their license to get to school, work, chauffeur their children, and run ordinary errands. Losing your license can have a...
During the summer months, Georgia boaters are out enjoying our many waterways. Unfortunately, some people run afoul of the law. Georgia BUI Laws have some similarities with our DUI laws, but there are several differences. When someone is charged with Boating Under the Influence in Georgia, h...
Summer is here, and it is time for vacations. Georgia residents are lucky to be reasonably close to the beaches in Florida and South Carolina. We are also close to the Gulf Coast. Between trips to the beach and trips to Disney World, Georgia residents will be on the move. Unfortunately, someti...
In Georgia, police officers routinely ask people if they can search a person's car for drugs. Most of the time, there is absolutely no reason for the request (in spite of our completely dishonest judiciary that allows these unlawful searches). According to NBC News, Illegal police searches dro...
Duress or compulsion is when someone is forced to commit a crime because of a threat of violence against them. Since criminal intent is a necessary element of any criminal offense in Georgia, duress must take away the free will of the accused, and as a result the intent to commit the crime. Wit...
The Statute of Limitations for a DUI in Georgia is two years. However, many people have a misunderstanding of how a statute of limitation applies to their case. In Georgia, the prosecutor has two years to file the formal charges against someone in a DUI case. The formal charges are filed on an...
Driving under the influence of marijuana is hardly a newfound offense. With the rising popularity of the drug, both legally and illegally procured, law enforcement becomes increasingly aware of 'drugged' driving and the need to police it. However, attempts at policing cannabis-impaired driving ha...
Potential clients often ask me if DUI is a felony in Georgia. For the most part, a DUI is a misdemeanor offense in Georgia. If it is a person's first DUI, second DUI, or third DUI, and no one was injured or killed, it will be considered a misdemeanor offense. A third DUI is a high and aggravat...
In Georgia, most traffic-related cases are heard in either Probate Court or in Municipal Court (for cases that originated within a city). In large counties like Gwinnett County, there is a county-wide traffic court called Recorders Court. The Gwinnett County Recorder's Court has original jurisd...
Several times a year I am asked if entrapment is a defense to a DUI in Georgia. Entrapment is a defense to any crime, however, when people ask about entrapment insofar as DUI is concerned, most people misunderstand the law. Usually, the question is in the context of when a police officer makes ...
When a person is charged with committing a crime, the criminal process itself can become the punishment At our office, we generally handle traffic-related misdemeanors, such as driving under the influence. That being said, our clients suffer the emotional burden of being charged and the str...
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!
