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 lawsuit in DeKalb County, Georgia, alleges that the DeKalb County Police Department implemented an arrest "quota" for officers that encouraged unconstitutional arrests. While unwritten, a former DeKalb County police officer stated in an interview with WSB-TV 2 News that the policy was "effecti...
The Georgia State Patrol will soon be paying extra attention to drivers along Interstate 20 that choose to drink and drive with a new DUI task force. It has been reported in the news that the Georgia State Patrol has created a new DUI Task Force along 1-20. The New Task Force, GSP Troop E, will...
In DUI cases, most Atlanta DUI Lawyers win or lose the case in pretrial motions. An effective strategy of filing and arguing motions is the single most important thing your Atlanta DUI Lawyer will do in your defense. Essentially, the purpose of motions is to ask for the Court for something that...
In Georgia, Driving Under the Influence (DUI) is typically treated as a misdemeanor offense. However, as with most provisions of law, there are exceptions to this general rule. There are several circumstances when a DUI arrest can become a Felony DUI. Multiple DUI Offenses: A fourth DUI withi...
While taking a cab has long been a tried-and-true method for people who wish to have a night on the town without running the risk of being arrested for DUI, in recent years they have begun facing stiff competition from “ridesharing” companies such as Uber and Lyft. Rather than owning and operati...
Georgia Municipal Court DUI Process: Almost all Georgia counties have overlapping jurisdictions and courts. Cases may be heard in municipal (city) court or a county court (state or superior court). When the police arrest someone for DUI within an incorporated city, your DUI case will most like...
In Towns County, Georgia this weekend, a man riding a motorcycle was involved in a chase with the Georgia State Patrol, which ultimately ended when the man collided with a Ford F150 that was backing out of a private driveway. Unfortunately, the motorcycle driver did not survive the collision. O...
School Bus Safety – Georgia Traffic Laws: O.C.G.A. § 40-6-163 mandates that drivers come to a full stop when approaching a bus that is either loading or unloading students with its red lights flashing and its stop arm extended. The only exception to this rule is when you are driving on the other...
If you are a young driver on Georgia's roadways, you must drive with extra care. Of course, you are subject to the same rules as all Georgia drivers are; however, you face much more severe consequences for violations of these rules. It is not difficult to end up with a suspended license if you ...
As the holiday season kicks into gear (see my blog post earlier this week about Oktoberfest in Helen, Georgia), the Georgia State Patrol and other law enforcement agencies around the state will rely increasingly on vehicle safety checkpoints to enforce traffic laws. While roadblocks are used to ...
In May of this year, a 20-year-old woman from North Dakota struck the rear of a vehicle traveling in front of her on the highway between Fargo and Grand Forks, North Dakota. In that vehicle was 89-year-old Phyllis Gordon, along with several of Mrs. Gordon's family members. Mrs. Gordon was injur...
It is the time of year when many places around the country are kicking off annual Oktoberfest celebrations. The most famous Oktoberfest celebration in Georgia (and, incidentally, the longest-running in the country) takes place in Helen, Georgia. Helen's Oktoberfest kicks off this Thursday, Sept...
The Benefits Of Reducing Your DUI Charges to Reckless Driving: Unfortunately, prosecutors rarely dismiss DUI cases. If total exoneration is the goal, then you will need a jury trial. The next best thing is a reduction to a charge that carries less stigma and fewer penalties than DUI. In Geor...
I was reading today about how the Philadelphia Police Department removed a family from their home because their son sold $40 of heroin from the home. It was not in dispute that the mother and father were unaware of the drug sale. This type of state-sponsored theft goes on in Georgia all the tim...
Special Consideratons When Underage Drivers Get a DUI in Georgia: Most people know that being charged with DUI is a serious matter, and that driving with a blood alcohol concentration of 0.08 or more can lead to jail time, fines, probation, community service, and rehabilitation classes. However,...
The Henry County Georgia Police announced the replacement of their Intoxilyzer 5000 machines with the new Intoxilyzer 9000. Throughout Georgia, all Intoxilyzer 5000 machines are being replaced with the Intoxilyzer 9000. The explanation for the “upgrade” is comical. The problem with the switch ...
The Department of Natural Resources had a busy Labor Day Weekend in 2014. During the three-day holiday weekend, the DNR investigated four drownings, nine boating incidents, and 17 boating under the influence (BUI) cases. Last year, the DNR investigated one drowning, six boating incidents, and 1...
The Georgia State Patrol had a busy weekend this Labor Day, although it seems that, overall, Georgia drivers were somewhat safer than they have been in years past. In total, there were 10 fatality crashes in the state of Georgia over the three-day holiday weekend. Troopers arrested a total of 2...
Since Judge Shira A. Scheindlin of the Federal District Court in Manhattan ordered police officers in certain precincts to wear tiny cameras when dealing with the public, other police departments throughout the country have begun to follow suit. Recently, Georgia police departments have considere...
How to handle a police encounter: During a traffic stop, you are required to provide a police officer their driver's license, registration, and proof of insurance. However, police officers are trained to use an ordinary police encounter to investigate other crimes, particularly DUI. A Hard an...
The Field Sobriety Tests Are Designed To Be Failed: Several times a day people tell me they passed the field sobriety tests, and the officer nevertheless arrested them. Before discussing the issue, I will point out that I do not believe the results of these tests are indicative of anything. Th...
Every holiday weekend, the Georgia State Patrol and Atlanta Police Department step up DUI patrols and roadside checkpoints. What is particular to Atlanta Municipal Court is that you will have your first arraignment the Tuesday after a DUI arrest over a holiday weekend. This court date can caus...
Today, I read that marijuana vending machines are are debuting in Colorado. Some of the machines sell only "medical marijuana." Had I not been at a restaurant when I was reading the story, I would have broken out into laughter. The idiots in government cannot stop the indelible push towards h...
Innocent People Can Be Suspected Of A Georgia DUI. It Is Best To Avoid Suspicion: The purpose of this article is help innocent people from being suspected of driving under the influence, it is not about ways for the guilty to avoid a conviction. It has long been my position that, as a result o...
People Are Often Charged With A Marijuana DUI While Not Being Impaired: “I'm Not High Anymore” Pittsburg Steelers running back, Le'Veon Bell, currently faces legal and NFL consequences after an officer stopped him last week for possession of marijuana and DUI. The events unfolded as DUI Mari...
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!
