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.
The key word in the question itself is “company.” Like all business relationships, any party in a relationship has the legal right to decide with whom they want to do business. Yes, an insurance company can cancel a person's insurance after a Georgia DUI arrest. That being said, people charged...
When driving through Gwinnett County this evening I noticed a DUI checkpoint. Officers from the Georgia State Patrol, City of Suwanee Police, Lawrenceville Police, and Duluth Police were conducting the roadblock. There are rules the police must follow when stopping people at a roadblock. Whe...
DUI Fine in Georgia - DUI Penalties in Georgia In Georgia, the minimum fine for a first DUI is $300 and the maximum fine for most DUI cases is $1000. There are some instances when the fines can be more than $1000. All Georgia DUI cases have additional penalties, above and beyond any fine payme...
Many traffic citations can be resolved outside of court. However, just because a person can pay a ticket, does not mean paying it is in their best interest. Tickets such as speeding, running a stop sign, following too closely can ordinarily be paid before going to court. There are many instanc...
Most DUI cases in Georgia are misdemeanors. There are a few exceptions to the general rule. The first DUI, second DUI, and third DUI arrest in Georgia are all misdemeanors unless someone is seriously injured or there is a fatality Felony DUI in Georgia: A fourth DUI since 2008 is a felony of...
One of the most commonly asked questions at our office relates to how many points are associated with a DUI conviction. The short answer is zero. Driving under the influence is a misdemeanor traffic offense. Unlike reckless driving, speeding, or other moving violations, DUI does not carry drive...
We receive calls from people arrested for driving under the influence every day. Many of our callers have misconceptions about whether Georgia DUI Law applies to their situation. As a result, many are surprised they were arrested. A common misconception is that you can only receive a DUI if you...
The answer is no; however, many medications can have an impact on a person's level of impairment and judgment. There is no simple answer to this question. As I have written before, the reason so many people are charged with a DUI is that their judgment is affected by alcohol, and as a result, ...
Navigating Georgia's Legal System After a DUI Arrest: Many people do not realize the complexity of their legal problems until it is too late. Do not make the mistake of thinking you can handle your case on your own. Many times when a person does not hire an attorney they end up making matters wo...
The most important decision to make in any criminal case is the decision to fight a case or to settle a case. In a DUI case, your Georgia DUI Lawyer needs to investigate all potential legal and factual defenses before a person can make the best decision. The most important thing a criminal defe...
In Georgia, there is no legal requirement that the police video an arrest. You would think in 2016 that having a video would be axiomatic with more cell phone cameras in the United States than people. However, like with all government agencies, the police are slow to adopt new technology. In G...
In Georgia, as in most states, the legal standard of impairment is far lower than what is considered by most to be “drunk driving.” A History lesson: Georgia DUI Laws have evolved at a far faster rate than human evolution. Initially, the legal limit in Georgia was 0.15. It then was changed to...
I hardly ever write about politics in my blog, but this is imperative. Vote “No” on Amendment 3 this November 8th. In Georgia we have an independent Constitutionally formed Judicial Qualifications Committee. The JQC investigates and disciplines judges who violate their duties and their ethica...
What If I Get a DUI in Georgia and Lose my License? What if My License Gets Stolen? Can I Fly Without My ID or my Passport? Atlanta's airport Hartsfield-Jackson is one of the busiest airports in the world. Atlanta is hub for business and thousands of people travel to Atlanta on business trips or...
The short answer is “no;” there is a full explanation to follow: When a person is arrested for a Georgia DUI, the police officer usually takes their driver's license and issue one of two types of permits to drive. The most common situation is when the arrestee is given a DDS-1205 form. The DDS-...
While some crimes require proof that the defendant committed an illegal act on purpose and intended to cause a particular result to be found guilty, other crimes only require that the defendant intended to break the law. DUI is one of the crimes where the intent necessary for a conviction varies ...
Unfortunately, the answer is “no.” See: O.C.G.A 42-8-60 Many people confuse Georgia First Offense Referral Form (formerly the affidavit of first conviction) with “First Offender Treatment.” They are not the same thing. Most criminal offenses qualify for first offender status. When a person ...
Keep Your Cool When Dealing With The Police: I used to be surprised when I would see a husband and wife arrested together, but over the years I have seen it many times. In the context of a DUI, sometimes a spouse or significant other gets upset about the way in which the police are treating a p...
Understanding Porbation Violations in Georgia: The short answer is "yes bond is possible in a Georgia probation violation." However, the truth is that judges rarely grant bail on a probation violation. There are two types of probation violations in Georgia: Technical Violation of Probation ...
Saving Yourself From Unnecessary Complications After a Georgia DUI Arrest: To begin with, this article assumes that the reader has already been released on bond. For more information on bond and bail in jail, please consult that section of our website. If you have been arrested for a DUI any...
Showing up to court is only half the battle. How you prepare for court and how you represent yourself in court will very often carry weight with the Judge and Prosecutor. Although only the evidence in a case should matter, your appearance is an outward reflection of your inward character. Fair o...
Who Makes the DUI Laws in Georgia? The Georgia DUI laws are updated every year by the Georgia General Assembly. The Georgia General Assembly is the state legislative for Georgia. It consists of the Senate and House of Representatives. Georgia has 236 members that serve two-year terms and are dir...
In life, we all seek the advice of our trusted friends and family members. People who love us want to help, and their help is often needed. However, sometimes those who mean well do not have the full perspective to give legal advice. Most law firms have at least two paralegals for every lawye...
An Aging Population Puts People at Risk For a DUI Arrest In recent years there have been fewer alcohol-related DUI arrests in Georgia. This is a good thing. People are learning to have a designated driver or use ride-sharing services. That being said, with an aging population there has been...
Why did the Trial of Justin Ross Harris get Moved to Brunswick? Justin Ross Harris is the defendant in a murder trial where Harris is accused of killing his 22-month-old son, Cooper, after leaving him in a hot car. The incident happened on June 14, 2014 at a Home Depot in Cobb County. The case w...
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!
