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.
Every day, prospective clients tell me that a person's DUI citation says "refused,” but they in fact did take a breath test. This is the single most-asked question I receive. In Georgia, after a person is arrested the police officer should read the Georgia Implied Consent Warning. On the warni...
The Douglas County Sheriff's Office is currently seeking the public's assistance after a pedestrian was killed in a hit-and-run accident this past Saturday in Lithia Springs. According to Lt. Glenn Daniel, a vehicle hit and killed Robert Stoskopf, 67, while he was walking on the side of Thornto...
Ricky B. Awtrey of Douglasville Georgia was sentenced to 120 years today as part of the stupid war on drugs. He was convicted of selling synthetic marijuana. Really? 120 years? He is 54 years old and will serve the rest of his life in prison. What is the purpose of that? He had a prior tr...
Very often people misplace their tickets and other court-related paperwork after a DUI arrest. Most people assume that their attorney can go online and simply get new copies of everything. Nothing could be further from the truth. The legal system is often stuck in a time warp of inefficiencie...
Will the Parents Be Charged Criminally? On Saturday, a car driven by a 17-year-old driver was in an accident at 4 a.m. in Gwinnett County, Georgia. Both the driver and his teenaged passenger are facing life-threatening injuries. Both were out past the legal curfew for persons under the age of ...
Understanding Georgia Probation Violations: No. Under O.C.G.A. § 42-8-34, before a Georgia judge can revoke a person's probation for failure to pay money, the court must make certain findings that the failure to pay is based on willful non-payment as opposed to the inability to pay. If you are ...
Just after 3 p.m. this past Wednesday, a Florida man hit a pedestrian while fleeing from Lumpkin County authorities and Georgia State Patrol troopers in a stolen truck. The incident was set into motion when a trooper spotted the truck on Ben Higgins Road and pursued it onto Highway 9 in south L...
It depends on the circumstances. Under O.C.G.A. § 40-8-79, “[i]t shall be unlawful for any person under the age of 18 to ride as a passenger in the uncovered bed of a pickup truck on any interstate highway in this state. The driver of any vehicle in violation of this Code section shall be guilty...
Legal Ethics in Jury Selection in the Age of Facebook, Google+, Linkedin, and Other Social Networks: The electronic world is very much akin to the Wild West, especially to attorneys and their clients. Litigants and their attorneys can get in trouble if either over-steps the ethical guidelines. I...
Milton High School's Principal John Buhl resigned Wednesday, July 30, 2014. The resignation comes just one day after he was released from jail for DUI arrests in two Georgia counties. According to police in Forsyth County and Cherokee County, Nathan John Buhl, 37, of Canton, has been accused o...
According to the Atlanta Journal-Constitution on Tuesday afternoon in Marietta, 24-year-old, Eric Shumate of Cartersville was texting when he caused a two-vehicle wreck that temporarily closed three lanes of I-75. According to reports, Shumate was driving southbound around 2 p.m. when his Nissa...
On Sunday afternoon, four children were injured when a car was knocked out of gear at a home in North Hall County. According to State Patrol, a 1988 Acura Legend was parked in the garage when it came out of gear and rolled backward. The car struck the children, who were playing in a neighbor's ya...
In my nearly 20 years in practice, I have been involved in more than 20 Vehicular Homicide / Serious Injury By Vehicle Cases. What many people never realize is that the criminal intent to injure someone seriously or kill them while driving under the influence is no different from just driving un...
Several times a month I receive a call from a parent who has not bonded out their child. The reason is they want to teach their child (however old) a lesson. I completely understand, but this thinking is misguided. I do not doubt that the parent is well intentioned. However, most jails do not...
A sure way to anger a police officer; crash into one with your car. Tamika Shelia Woodson, 39, of Lithonia, was allegedly driving under the influence of drugs this Wednesday, when she crashed into a Sandy Springs patrol car in Fulton County. According to police reports, the impact of the crash p...
Today, a Douglas County Grand Jury indicted Tammie Agan, the secretary of Former Douglas County District Attorney David McDade. The 58-count indictment charges her with false statements and theft because of her “work” for McDade 2011-2012. McDade, who I have openly called a worthless human bein...
As a result of a head-on collision last Saturday, 18-year old Alexandria Cymone Brooks has been charged with DUI, and 2 counts of Serious Injury by Vehicle. She remains in custody with a $30,000 bond set in her case. The accident occurred on Barrett Parkway, in Cobb County Georgia. She is accu...
If you are undecided about applying for a public defender or hiring a private attorney, you should consider the following: What are the differences between a public defender and a private attorney? Both a Georgia public defender and private attorney are licensed to practice law in Georgia. The...
Resolving a Failure to Appear (FTA) in Georgia: If you receive a citation or ticket, you have a responsibility to appear in court. A Failure to Appear (“FTA”) is very serious because it can result in a bench warrant. If you miss your court date for a criminal or traffic citation, not only will a...
In Georgia and in courts throughout the United States, people are handed “waiver of rights” forms to sign before the start of their court appearance. Most people sign these forms without reading or understanding the content and the important rights therein Like sheep before a slaughter, almost ...
A new federal law could require a first time DUI offender to install an ignition interlock device: On July 8, 2014, Nita Lowey, the Representative for New York's 17th Congressional District, introduced “Alisa's Law” in the House of Representatives. This law would push States to require all convi...
Policing The Police - Law Enforcement Officers Ordered to Wear Video Cameras and the Resulting Benefits to all Parties: In August of 2013, Judge Shira A. Scheindlin, of the Federal District Court in Manhattan, ruled that Manhattan's stop-and-frisk program was unconstitutional, and she ordered po...
I receive several calls a week from people who are not sure they need a lawyer. Many just want some advice. I used to spend a great deal of time trying to talk people into hiring an attorney. However, I have learned over the years that I cannot save a person from himself or herself. Most of t...
The arrest of Justice Nora Longoria of the Thirteenth Court of Appeals in Texas made me think about the utter cruelty to our fellow man insofar as to how we handle misdemeanor cases in the United States. To begin with, the fact that misdemeanor cases cause so much stigma and have severe consequ...
While driving on the way back from lunch yesterday in DeKalb County, Georgia, I was pulled over. Apparently I misjudged when a light was turning red. As soon as I saw the blue lights I pulled over immediately. As soon as the officer arrived he was accusatory, wanting to know what I was thinkin...
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!
