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.
Oyin Jones Mitchell (age 39) has been charged with Second Degree Vehicular Homicide, Failure to Yield, and Seatbelt Violation. She has been arrested and released on $50,000 bond. The crash occurred in Cobb County Georgia, on July 6th, 2014. The basis of the charge is an allegation that Ms. Mit...
At our office, every caller gets an opportunity to speak to a lawyer at no charge. We provide a free consultation. On occasion, we provide free advice, however a consultation is a discussion of how a case will precede, not advice on how to handle your own case. The reason we don't provide adv...
As reported back in June, bicyclist Gergory Germani (age 50) was run down by a driver of a Dodge Nitro in the Morningside neighborhood of Atlanta. He was hospitalized with brain trauma for several weeks and is now recovering in a private rehabilitation facility. After a reported verbal altercati...
Most people are unaware that each charge of child endangerment is considered a separate and distinct DUI charge for punishment purposes. Additionally, the state may charge that person with the separate crime of child endangerment. This charge does not merge with the underlying violation for the p...
How To Make Sure That You Do Not Violate Your Probation By Understanding How Probation Works: Most people arrested end up serving a period of time on probation, and for some the obligation therein is not taken seriously. What most people do not understand is that when a court sentences someone,...
Very often I am hired to represent people who were arrested while already pulled-over on the side of the road. The client decided it would be safer to “sleep off” any impairment. I have argued for years that to stop driving is the responsible thing to do. It shows better judgment and is safer ...
A party bus driver, Brandon Smith, has been charged with Driving Under the Influence after he left his passengers stranded and later drove into a utility pole. The police report states that the passengers rented the bus through a company called “Party Bus Kings.” When the group returned to the b...
The Georgia Supreme Court, yet again, rebuked former Douglas County District Attorney David McDade for allowing his office to prosecute a case in which he has a “personal interest.” In a unanimous opinion in McLaughlin v. Payne, No. S14A0220, written by Justice Hines, the Court held that: "When...
While making sure I didn't miss any Georgia DUI news, I came upon the Muscogee County Ledger-Enquirer this evening. What was reported as part of the news are the 23 people arrested for DUI in the past several days. I normally provide a link but will refrain because I don't want to give their pu...
People who mean well call our office on behalf of friends and family members. I totally understand wanting to help out a friend, and for people in custody it's absolutely necessary. If a person has just been arrested and does not have an attorney, and there is no choice, we will speak to a frie...
One of the more confusing parts of a DUI investigation is when the arresting officer asks for what many people assume is a “second breath test.” Most police officers carry with them, or have access to, a portable Alco-sensor. This device is not the State-administered breath-testing device. The...
I speak to almost 100 people charged with various misdemeanor traffic offenses every week. At least 10% of the calls come from people who have already resolved their cases, sometimes years earlier. Many of those callers didn't have an attorney when their case was still open. Invariably their c...
Headline: As if allergies weren't bad enough, pollen is now said to impair driving New evidence indicates that allergies can actually impair drivers. According to a Netherlands study, drivers suffering from allergy symptoms are comparable to drivers with a 0.03% blood-alcohol content. The study...
Eleven lives were lost on Georgia's roads during the Fourth of July holiday weekend, according to the Georgia Department of Public Safety. Georgia Department of Natural Resources reported there was one boating fatality but no one drowned in any of Georgia's lakes or waterways. There were 10 inj...
Headline: While some Georgia counties had a quiet Fourth of July holiday, it was sadly not the case statewide. However, arrests and fatalities were down from last year. Law enforcement certainly had their hands full this past weekend. Statewide, the Georgia State Patrol reported 302 DUI arrests...
As reported in on WJCL news, the Savannah-Chatham Metropolitan Police Department (SCMPD) has begun a forced blood draw program in DUI arrests, similar to the program in Gwinnett County. As a result, people exercising their statutory right to refuse testing will still be tested. Gwinnett County ...
When a law enforcement officer suspects a driver of driving under the influence of alcohol, the officer may conduct a breath test on a Breathalyzer to determine the suspect's blood alcohol content (BAC). Residual mouth alcohol is one of the most common causes of a false positive test result or an...
On July 2, 2014, Georgia law enforcement officers arrested a man in Oconee County for driving under the influence. The man insisted that he had not been driving, but rather, his dog drove him to the store. The Oconee County Sheriff's Office responded to an emergency call reporting a dog locked...
The Utter Hysteria of Our Georgia Drug Laws: Now that I have your attention, it's been 6-months since Colorado legalized marijuana and low and behold, crime is down, tax revenues have increased, and personal freedom is being respected. In spite of hysterical rhetoric that legalization will turn...
Although there have been 12 BUI arrests this holiday weekend, there have been no deaths reported on Georgia's largest and most popular lake, Lake Lanier. This is excellent news that should be celebrated. Georgia has increased the penalties associated with Boating Under the Influence and has bee...
A Pittsburgh mother and stepfather face multiple charges for leaving a 2-year-old inside of their hot car while they were inside of a bar. The car windows were cracked, but the temperature at the time was 80 degrees with 70% humidity. A pedestrian noticed the boy and immediately called 911. Poli...
With the myriad of reminders to not drink and drive and to not boat while impaired, it is sometimes lost on how easy it is to avoid problems this holiday weekend. I was reading the Gainesville Times this morning and learned that there is a service the will come out and pilot in any boat where t...
On June 25, Janice Pitts, 53, was driving her daughter to work, when Dewey Green, 23, hit her car from behind. Her daughter, Lesha Davis, reported to police that Green kept hitting them. Davis's 4-year-old son was also in the car at the time. Davis recalls that when her mother got out of the car...
Three men were struck and killed early Tuesday while attempting to cross Interstate 85 in DeKalb County GA. The accident happened near Chamblee-Tucker Road at approximately 5 AM and blocked all southbound lanes of traffic for almost two hours, causing an 8-mile backup all the way to Beaver Ruin...
A tragic accident in Sandy Springs has claimed the life 72 year-old Ailsie Straley. Her husband, James Straley has been charged in the accident. Readers should not be confused that Mr. Straley is charged with impaired or drunk driving. He is not. These charges are the Misdemeanor Vehicular Hom...
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!
