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 | Apr 04, 2017 |
The I-85 Bridge collapse will go down as the worst traffic disaster in Atlanta history, making the nightmare of “Snowmageddon” seem like a day at the beach. Traffic in Atlanta will be affected for the next foreseeable future. Who is going to take responsibility for this traffic nightmare? It will...
Posted by Richard Lawson | Apr 02, 2017 |
Thousands of Georgia citizens go hunting every year, and even more than that are in possession of a handgun for personal protection. We are often asked whether a person convicted of a DUI in Georgia can still own or possess a firearm.
The short answer is yes; you can still own or buy a gun even ...
Posted by Richard Lawson | Mar 30, 2017 |
A Valdosta school bus driver was recently charged on 45 counts of DUI (a child endangerment charge for each child aboard.) A Georgia truck driver was terminated, after being deemed an "imminent hazard" to public safety following his DUI crash. It is evident that DUIs can be detrimental to one's c...
Posted by Richard Lawson | Mar 28, 2017 |
Ah, Springtime is finally here! The season is filled with warm weather, family cookouts, trees and flowers blooming new life; what is there not to love? Festivals across the state, like the International Cherry Blossom Festival in Macon, Georgia bring out crowds to enjoy great food and activiti...
Posted by Richard Lawson | Mar 26, 2017 |
As of March 23rd, 2017, Utah officially has the strictest DUI threshold in the country. Across the country, the blood alcohol content limit for most drivers is .08. However, Utah's lawmakers voted to lower the limit on March 9, 2017, and then it was up to the governor. Utah's Republican Governor ...
Posted by Richard Lawson | Mar 26, 2017 |
There is no question about it – police officers have a tough, challenging and stressful occupation. 12-hour shifts that tend to end an hour or two late, constant scrutiny in the media and dangerous situations at work make police work extremely stressful. Police officers are underappreciated and o...
Posted by Richard Lawson | Mar 23, 2017 |
During a suspected DUI, law enforcement typically uses a breath test to determine the blood alcohol content (BAC) of the driver. However, a chemical test, such as a blood test, can also be used to determine the BAC. If an officer requests that a driver submits to a blood test and the driver gives...
Posted by Richard Lawson | Mar 22, 2017 |
As reported in the AJC, a Valdosta school bus driver was charged with a DUI while having forty-four students on board. As a result, the police will charge her with forty-four counts of DUI Child Endangerment.
What the article does not explain are the two interesting legal issues that will have ...
Posted by Richard Lawson | Mar 21, 2017 |
At least once daily someone calls my office to affirm their incorrect understanding of the law. It used to surprise me that someone would call to argue with me. Many people think they can handle their case without legal help, and most of the time they are wrong.
If you do not need an attorney, I...
Posted by Richard Lawson | Mar 19, 2017 |
In recent years, there has been a crackdown on DUIs in Georgia. Organizations such as Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD) have lobbied for stricter DUI laws and penalties. Stronger efforts to crack down on DUI has made the stigma of receiving a DUI that much worse. Many courts punish DUI offen...
Posted by Richard Lawson | Mar 16, 2017 |
Georgia is home to a plethora of private and public academic institutions, notably the University of Georgia, Georgia Tech, Georgia State and dozens of others. The state's rich educational landscape serves thousands of students. The University of Georgia, the state's flagship institution, employs...
Posted by Richard Lawson | Mar 14, 2017 |
There are many misconceptions concerning DUIs. We will address some of these today, but if you have any other questions about DUI Law in Georgia, please contact our offices today. The Law Office of Richard Lawson and his team of Georgia DUI Attorneys have over 21 years of experience and are here ...
Posted by Richard Lawson | Mar 12, 2017 |
If you have driven down I-85 or I-75, have probably noticed that the far-left lane is only for Peach Pass users. The first express lanes opened in 2011 on I-85, and I-75 has also opened some toll lanes this year. Many motorists have questions about these new express lanes and whether or not they ...
Posted by Richard Lawson | Mar 09, 2017 |
There is no rule of thumb to go by when projecting the length of time needed to resolve a DUI case. There is a multitude of factors that can affect the duration of a case. Some cases are resolved quite quickly, while other extreme, outlier cases can take several years. To name a handful of the fa...
Posted by Richard Lawson | Mar 07, 2017 |
After a DUI conviction, many people are ordered to take a Driving Under the Influence Risk Reduction Course. It is also known as DUI School. The State of Georgia regulates these schools, and the price and curriculum are set by the State. It can be overwhelming to try and find out all the informat...
Posted by Richard Lawson | Mar 05, 2017 |
Your blood alcohol content (BAC) may determine whether or not you will be convicted of a DUI (driving under the influence) in Georgia. There are different BAC limits based on the age of the suspect. If the accused is less than 21 years old, they will be found driving under the influence (DUI) if ...
Posted by Richard Lawson | Mar 02, 2017 |
Clinton Todd Sproles added yet another charge to his robust record on Saturday, February 25th. Police in Butte Montana arrested Sproles, 54, at approximately 11 pm on suspicion of drunk driving on Front Street. According to Sproles' own admission, he had been arrested for DUI many times before. I...
Posted by Richard Lawson | Feb 28, 2017 |
The short answer is that a Georgia DUI Lawyer cannot predict the outcome of a case until it is thoroughly investigated.
When someone calls my office, he or she are naturally concerned about what will happen to them. Many people, in fact, cannot sleep or eat because of the anxiety they are fac...
Posted by Richard Lawson | Feb 26, 2017 |
Worried. Anxious. Stressed. Upset. Insomnia. These are some of the emotions many people feel when charges are pending against them. From the moment the police put you in handcuffs, the worry begins to ensue. What is my job going to think? Will I still have a job? Will I even be able to drive to w...
Posted by Richard Lawson | Feb 23, 2017 |
When setting bail, it's as though the court assigns a dollar figure to your crime - a way to gauge the severity of the offense and ensure your appearance in court, with the possibility of adding to the county treasury. It is only if you fail to appear in court that your bail is not refunded. Amon...
Posted by Richard Lawson | Feb 21, 2017 |
When calling a Georgia DUI Lawyer, there is important information about your case that you should have readily available. For your Georgia DUI Attorney to give you the best advice, you will have to provide certain facts and details regarding your arrest. If you are calling for a family member or ...
Posted by Richard Lawson | Feb 19, 2017 |
Innocent until proven guilty is what we hear on TV, right? Unfortunately, we live in a world where the stigma of being arrested for a DUI can be overwhelming. When the world is judging you before you have ever been to court, what do you do? We represent plenty of clients that are in fact guilty o...
Posted by Richard Lawson | Feb 16, 2017 |
Some headlines just write themselves. It was a quick arrest and booking for Valley Brook Police last month, when an allegedly drunk driver, Richy Reese, swerved onto the set of their DUI awareness video.
Oklahoma City University film students Mike Stamp and Jacob Keen were in the process of shoo...
Posted by Richard Lawson | Feb 15, 2017 |
Guest Blog by Law Clerk Sarah Illg:
As a student in my last couple months of law school, I am frequently asked what kind of law I am going to practice upon passing the bar. The sad part is I have always dreaded my answer. I put my head down, look to the side and answer under my breath that I am ...
Posted by Richard Lawson | Feb 14, 2017 |
We hear about car accidents all the time. We check for them on our way to work to see if we need to find an alternate route and we see them regularly on television. But what is the leading cause of car wrecks in Georgia?
In 2008, the Georgia Department of Transportation found there were 342,534...